At Hightower Labs, we make buildings better.
Our Chicago-based team provides expert QAQC services to ensure that building envelopes are designed, executed, and tested to perform as intended—both today and for years to come.
We provide independent analysis, forensic investigations, and performance validation to catch problems before they become costly failures. Whether ensuring new construction meets governing criteria or diagnosing deficiencies in existing buildings, our rigorous, unbiased approach helps safeguard projects for the long term.
With cutting-edge testing methodologies and uncompromising technical accuracy, we provide lab-quality performance data for critical envelope metrics, including air infiltration, water resistance, and thermal transmission. Our independent analysis helps verify compliance, diagnose failures, and refine building envelope designs to maximize efficiency and resilience.
We bring deep experience in forensic investigation, quality assurance, and performance validation, working across commercial, multifamily, and institutional projects. Whether you're addressing leak investigations, new construction verification, or retrofit assessments, our team delivers clear, actionable insights that help you make informed decisions.
Hightower Labs operates with a straightforward mission: to provide technically sound, unbiased assessments that empower better building performance. Our work is grounded in scientific precision, industry expertise, and a commitment to collaborative problem-solving—helping our clients navigate complex envelope challenges with confidence.
A brief summary of the general service categories offered. If your project has a specific question or issue requiring professional analysis, contact HTL to discuss. Any level & duration of engagement on your project will yield the correlative equivalent of a wizard's Building Improvement Spell.
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Precision Testing to Validate Building Performance.
ASTM E779 | E1105 | E783 | E1186 | E1827 | E2068 | E3158 | D4541 | D7877
AAMA 501.2 | AAMA 502 | AAMA 503
We're proud to contribute to higher-quality building envelope delivery by offering precise, independent, and objective material and system testing services in accordance with the project's governing standards.
When performed accordingly and in a quantity suitable for component volume and risk profile, these tests validate the in-situ envelope system performance under the project's prescribed criteria while also identifying potential items of concern (ideally before interior finishes and occupants are at risk).
Unbiased, Data-Driven Building Envelope Evaluations. Identifying Risks, Validating Performance, Protecting Investments
A building’s envelope is its first line of defense against air, water, and thermal failures. Our comprehensive assessments provide owners, architects, and property managers with clear, actionable data on envelope performance—whether for due diligence, forensic investigation, or proactive maintenance planning. We analyze material integrity, installation quality, and environmental factors to diagnose issues, identify risks, and recommend targeted solutions.
Using a combination of in-situ testing, diagnostic tools, and expert review, we assess existing conditions and performance gaps with precision. Our reports go beyond surface-level observations, delivering the data and insights needed to support litigation, guide repairs, and ensure long-term durability. Whether evaluating a newly completed project or an aging structure, we provide unbiased expertise to protect your investment and mitigate future liabilities.
Expert Investigation for Water & Air Intrusion. Identifying & Resolving Building Envelope Failures.
Uncovering Hidden Deficiencies, Delivering Clear Solutions.
We specialize in uncovering and diagnosing the root causes of building envelope failures—whether it’s water intrusion, persistent dampness, or excessive air leakage and its secondary effects. Our industry-leading investigations provide precise, data-backed conclusions, helping project teams take the first and most critical step toward effective, lasting solutions.
Using advanced diagnostics, in-situ testing, and forensic analysis, we identify vulnerabilities and document findings with clarity and precision. Our comprehensive reports deliver actionable insights that support remediation efforts, inform quality control programs, and provide indisputable clarity regarding the building envelope’s behavior—ensuring owners, architects, and legal teams have the evidence they need to move forward with confidence.
Expert Oversight for High-Performance Building Envelopes.
Building Envelope Commissioning for Uncompromising Quality.
Managing the quality of a building envelope during construction requires expert oversight, technical knowledge, and a proactive approach. As building envelope consultants, we provide targeted guidance throughout the project lifecycle, helping clients identify risks, refine details, and verify material selection and installation methods. Our role is to serve as a trusted advisor—assisting design teams, owners, and contractors in making informed decisions that enhance performance, durability, and long-term value.
For projects requiring a higher level of oversight and verification, our Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx) services provide a structured, performance-driven process that ensures envelope systems meet design intent, contract requirements, and industry standards. From pre-construction document reviews to field testing, installation monitoring, and post-construction verification, we deliver a comprehensive, data-backed approach to quality assurance. Whether you need selective consulting or a full commissioning process, our expertise helps mitigate risk, reduce costly rework, and ensure envelope systems perform as intended from day one.
Technical Insights to Build Better, Smarter, Stronger
B.E.A.M.: Open-Source Standards for Better Building Performance Evaluations
At Hightower Labs, we believe that better information leads to better buildings. Our Technical Library is a growing collection of research, guides, and resources designed to support architects, owners, contractors, and industry professionals in making informed decisions about building envelope performance. From in-depth assessments of testing methodologies to practical guidance on material performance and failure patterns, our library provides accessible, high-value technical insights that help drive quality, durability, and compliance.
As part of our commitment to industry advancement, we also offer open-source BEAM (Building Envelope Assessment & Measurement) procedures—a set of standardized, freely available testing protocols that provide a more precise, transparent, and repeatable approach to evaluating envelope performance. These procedures enable industry professionals to conduct rigorous air, water, and thermal assessments, improving accountability and ensuring that envelope systems perform as expected. By making BEAM procedures freely accessible, we empower project teams to adopt higher standards, mitigate risk, and enhance building performance without proprietary restrictions.
At Hightower Labs, we believe that every building should serve its future occupants and stakeholders with durability, efficiency, and resilience. Our Chicago-based team provides expert QAQC services to ensure that building envelopes are designed, executed, and tested to perform as intended—both today and for years to come.
From independent testing to forensic investigations and performance validation, our work is driven by a commitment to rigorous analysis, precise execution, and a future-focused approach. Whether identifying issues before they become costly failures or ensuring new construction meets the highest standards, we provide unbiased, technically sound insights that protect project integrity and long-term value.
On-site evaluations of installed products, validation of a purchased envelope package, investigation of issues ranging from water leaks to excessive energy costs, observation/documentation of site and manufacturer progress, and more...
Independent studies, industry papers, slideshows, video presentations, and other content benefiting those in the industry with the patience to read five pages, and diagrams for the developers.
Industry-wide, invalid and improperly executed ASTM E783 test data are not providing a reliably accurate accounting of the building's air-tightness on window wall and curtain wall systems comprising the majority of envelopes built this century and, consequently, building stakeholders are blind to their property's performance.
In this Notes From The Field article, HTL checks in on the U.S. construction industry's widespread use and mis-use of structural glazing systems.
The BEAM03 procedure introduces a novel approach to evaluating building envelope water resistivity, addressing critical gaps in traditional QAQC practices. BEAM03 delivers reliable, repeatable data for assessing large-scale envelope performance, including complex geometries and system transitions.
Consider raising your expectations and building structures that are not defective monstrosities by augmenting your project with Chicago's very own building envelope QAQC services company.