What does resiliency really mean in a hot and humid climate?

In this episode of Building Science Digest, host Rémi Goulet sits down with Ryan Atlee to explore how homes perform under the unique demands of the Gulf Coast climate.

Recorded in Houston, Texas, the conversation dives into the daily challenges that heat, humidity, and moisture create for residential buildings, and why traditional building science principles developed for cold climates don't always apply in hot and humid regions.

Ryan shares insights from years of forensic investigations and high-performance home design, covering topics such as vapor drive, moisture management, rain screens, continuous insulation, mold prevention, and the importance of treating resiliency as a whole-building system rather than a collection of individual products.

The discussion also explores how homes can be designed to better withstand extreme weather events, including hurricanes, by first addressing the day-to-day environmental stresses that slowly degrade building assemblies over time.

Whether you're a builder, architect, remodeler, or building science professional, this episode offers practical insights into creating tougher, more durable homes in some of North America's most challenging climates.