Category: Air barriers and moisture barriers
Air barriers and moisture barriers
Featured Articles
Back to the basics: An introduction to air and moisture barriers in wall assemblies
Author Karine Galla, Sr. Product Manager for Sto Corp., discusses the basics of air and moisture barriers in wall assemblies, including the pros and cons of different types. “Air and moisture barrier systems should meet three key criteria. First, they should be continuous so as not to allow any opportunities for air leakage. Second, they should be structural in the sense that they should be permanently secured to the supporting structure.”
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Large Building Airtightness Testing and the Selection of Appropriate Air Barrier Strategies
An airtight building enclosure is an important part of a modern building. Good airtightness can increase energy efficiency, improve durability, and allow greater control over occupant comfort and indoor air quality. Airtightness is achieved with an effective air barrier system that is carefully designed and detailed and then built and commissioned in the field. An effective air barrier consists of a continuous system of materials (building wraps, membranes, etc.), components (doors, windows, etc.) and accessories (tapes, sealants, gaskets, etc.). These air barrier elements must be individually airtight and airtight when used together.
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For a Green Wall, You Need a System
Properly integrating the key components for any wall system — air and water control layer, rain control layer, thermal control layer, and exterior cladding — provides a useful checklist when attempting to achieve a greener build. Each of these components is important; however, for an energy-efficient, sustainable and durable wall, you need a green system.
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Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Air Barriers
Building Enclosures require proactive actions by each member of the Design and Construction Teams to deliver a building that meets stated performance requirements. Air Barriers are a critical component to meeting those requirements. This document addresses ten of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that Architects, Engineers and Construction Managers/General Contractors ask with respect to air barriers.
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ABAA publishes new standard of whole building airtightness testing
The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) published a new standard for whole building airtightness testing. The standard is called “Standard Method for Building Enclosure Airtightness Compliance Testing”.
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The latest news
Reclad with StoTherm ci solves water intrusion problems for North Myrtle Beach condo community
The Edgewater Condominiums, with 260 units near the Atlantic Ocean in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., were built over a period of five years and completed 10 years ago. The Edgewater COA Board of Directors voted to replace the stucco on all buildings. Jason Smith, AIA, Senior Architect of Construction Science and Engineering (CSE), specified approximately 250,000 SF of StoTherm® ci Lotusan®, a continuous insulation wall system.
Read MoreABAA appoints Executive Advisor
The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), an international trade organization, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Executive Advisor, Mr. Roy Schauffele, FCSI, CCPR, FABAA, CABS. The Executive Advisor will further ABAA’s goals by providing a resource to the construction community to assist in areas of education, building codes, construction details, specifications, and the ABAA quality assurance program. Roy Schauffele, is an internationally published author and speaker in the fields of energy conservation and sustainable building envelopes, including insulation, air barrier technology, roofing & waterproofing, and vegetative & cool roofing.
Read MoreDuPont develops the next generation of Styrofoam™ Brand Insulation to reduce greenhouse (GHG)
DuPont™ has announced the phased launch of a new, reduced global warming potential (GWP) Styrofoam™ Brand Insulation. Beginning January 1, 2021, the Styrofoam™ Brand Insulation family of products will include lower GWP options, complying with adopted and upcoming state and provincial hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulations throughout the United States and Canada.
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Sto® introduces StoVentec™ to North America, with recent Rainscreen® Systems’ test results
Sto Corp. introduces StoVentec™ Rainscreen® Systems to North America, which include StoVentec Glass and StoVentec Render. StoVentec delivers an air and moisture barrier, adjustable sub-construction, continuous insulation, and multiple cladding options, making it a complete and fully integrated Rainscreen® wall solution, Sto states.
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The Statue of Liberty Museum, designed by FXCollaborative, achieves LEED Gold certification
The US Green Building Council recently awarded The Statue of Liberty Museum, designed by FXCollaborative, LEED Gold certification in recognition of the project’s sustainable design and respect for its ecological and environmental impact. The museum’s design features integrated resiliency measures as well as high-performance systems, highly insulated walls, extensive thermal bridge mitigation, glass orientation that minimizes solar heat gain, radiant floor heating, demand-control ventilation, high-efficiency lighting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures.
Read MoreMetl-Span introduces two new backupwall panel systems
Metl-Span announces two new backup wall panel systems, the BW Universal System™ and BW Stretch System™. The company states that the backup wall systems provide superior air, water, thermal and vapor protection in an all-in-one barrier component.
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Sto’s products complete Baha Mar Resort & Casino
The Baha Mar Resort & Casino on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas, encompasses three million square feet of construction, 6,000 tons of structural steel, 500,000 sq. ft. of glass, and an abundance of the StoTherm® ci exterior insulation system and Sto finish products including Stolit® Milano.
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Sto Corp. releases Environmental Product Declarations
Sto Corp. released a wide-ranging lineup of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) today. The EPDs span 12 systems and cover a total of 27 different products. “We are proud to take a leading role in the EIFS, stucco and air barrier segments by being one of the first manufacturers to make this information available,” said Kevin Schroeder, Senior Technical Service Representative. “It really speaks to Sto’s commitment to help create a more sustainable and resilient built environment.”
Read MoreIIBEC releases new Manual of Practice
The 2020 IIBEC Manual of Practice: Roofing, Waterproofing, and Exterior Wall Consulting and Quality Observation, is the long-awaited and all-new third edition on industry standards of practice for building enclosure consultants and quality assurance observers.
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Georgia-Pacific Building Products launches DensDefy™ Accessories
Georgia-Pacific announces the launch of DensDefy™ Accessories, comprised of liquid flashing and a transition membrane primarily used in the DensElement® Barrier System. The DensDefy™ Transition Membrane is a flexible, self-adhering membrane used to maintain continuity of the above-grade water-resistant barrier and air barrier at complicated transition areas of the DensElement® Barrier System, stated the company.
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