SWRInstitute Releases Air Barrier Technical Bulletin

Words: Dan Kamys SWRInstitute Releases Air Barrier Technical Bulletin  

The Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute (SWRInstitute) has released the latest addition to its Technical Bulletin Series about air barriers.

Like the other bulletins in the Technical Series, this issue outlines basic principles to help the end-user understand each component involved in various sealant, waterproofing and restoration systems. Specifically, Technical Bulletin #16: Air Barriers describes:

• How drainage water can move between a building’s exterior and interior components.

• Components of an air barrier system and how they impact a building’s health.

• Types of air barriers and how they work.

• Vapor retarders and the impact/role of vapor diffusion.

• Water-resistive barriers and their critical placement.

• Proper placement of air barriers, vapor retarders and water-resistive barriers.

Construction considerations.

Each bulletin uses easy-to-understand language and incorporates tables and photos to explain details. To purchase copies of Technical Bulletin #16: Air Barriers (or any others in the SWRInstitute’s Technical Bulletin series), contact the Institute at www.swrionline.org, or call 816.472.7974.

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior