Masonry Magazine September 2006 Page. 38
A
R
BARR
R
Sort through this crowded field of products by looking for these basic characteristics:
Continuous and Seamless
THE AIR BARRIER must be able to cover all the nooks, crannies, cracks and transitions of the wall assembly, 100 percent, with no gaps, holes or seams.
Structural
IT MUST STICK like blue on sky to the sheathing or CMU backup so it won't come off in wind during construction, or from air pressure differentials after the walls are completed.
Durable
THE AIR BARRIER must be able to resist weathering unprotected in case of construction delays, with no rips, tears or breaches of any kind or size for months, if need be.
Some other features to consider in an air and moisture barrier:
Is it easy and fast to install, or labor intensive?
If fluid-applied, is it water-based or solvent-based?
Water-based systems are more likely to comply with VOC (volatile organic compound) regulations.
Is the installed cost, including labor, competitive?
Some products may be cheap to buy, but difficult and time-consuming to apply correctly.
When you multiply all these different air and vapor barrier products by all the different types of wall assemblies, you get an intimidating array of possibilities. Some will work great. Some will accelerate the very problems they're meant to stop.
Following the simple guidelines of "continuous, structural and durable" will help you choose the right air barrier.
The right air barrier will do that one simple thing - keep uncontrolled air and the destructive water it carries out of walls. That means the ultimate victors in the battle of the barriers are your clients and you.
Gary Henry is a business communication specialist with PROSOCO, a national manufacturer of products for cleaning, protecting and maintaining masonry, concrete and stone. For more information, contact Gary Henry at (785) 830-7343, or e-mail ghenry@prosoco.com.
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