An Engineering Insight authored by SK&A Principal Justin Long, PE, RBEC, BECxP. Follow Justin on Linked In.
Why Mockups Are Essential
Identify Coordination Issues Early
Mockups expose conflicts between trades that shop drawings may not – for example, how window frames interface with air barriers, or how flashings integrate with cladding. Identifying these gaps before construction prevents costly change orders later.
Verify Proper Sequencing of Trades
Each layer of the enclosure – air, water, vapor, and thermal – must be installed in a specific order to maintain continuity and ensure proper installation. Mockups allow project teams to refine and document this sequencing in real time.
Validate Shop Drawing Details
Even the most carefully reviewed shop drawings can miss subtle field conditions or coordination conflicts. Building the mockup provides a real-world check that ensures all materials and transitions align with the design intent.
Training and Quality Control
Mockups serve as both a training tool for installers and a quality benchmark for construction. The same level of care applied to the mockup should be replicated across the project. Quality issues identified during the mockup should be addressed immediately.
The Takeaway
A successful mockup program isn’t just a project requirement – it’s a risk and project management tool. It ensures that the building enclosure performs as designed and gives the project team confidence before construction scales up.
This insight was originally published by Justin Long, PE, RBEC, BECxP, on Linked In. View the original post and add your own comments.
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