AIR BARRIER SYSTEMS

Protection from air and moisture is essential to protecting the building envelope. 

The United States Department of Energy states that, “up to 40% of the energy consumed to heat or cool a building is due to air leakage into and out of buildings”.  The proper installation of an air barrier will substantially mitigate this problem and reduce the building’s energy consumption.  In addition to energy saving, structural damage from moisture is common.  Mold can pose a severe health risk.  A properly installed air barrier significantly reduces moisture and the risk of mold.

The latest building code states, “The building envelope shall be designed and constructed with a continuous air barrier to control air leakage into, or out of the conditioned space.  An air barrier shall also be provided for interior partitions between conditioned spaces designed to maintain temperature or humidity levels which differ from those in the conditioned space.”

Fluid-applied air barriers are usually sprayed onto wood, exterior gypsum, masonry substrates or CMU backup and become part of the structural wall. The air barrier then becomes structurally part of the building with no fasteners that cause holes for air and water to penetrate.

A properly installed air/moisture barrier will greatly reduce the problems associated with air and moisture infiltration which can result in higher energy costs, mold growth, and structural decay.  A “tight” built envelope reduces mechanical loads and saves on lower HVAC costs and maintenance cost. 

Building Envelope Protection is Certified by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), a member of the Building Enclosure Council (BEC – a subchapter of the American Institute of Architects), and is an industry leader in the design, specification and installation of Air Barrier Systems and waterproofing systems.