CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERMEABLE AIR BARRIER MEMBRANE

Several factors must be taken into account when selecting an air barrier membrane for a wall design. The main purpose of an air barrier is to prevent air leakage through the building envelope. Uncontrolled air circulation can cause heat loss and high resultant energy costs, not to mention increase the risks of condensation and mold growth in the assembly.

VARIOUS TYPES OF AIR BARRIERS FOR VARIOUS NEEDS

Irrespective of their air leakage rate, permeable air barrier membranes are categorized according to their water-vapor permeance. The degree to which water vapor passes through a wall is specific to each type of air barrier. The diagrams below show the effects of water-vapor diffusion, per type of air barrier, for hot summer weather and cold autumn temperatures. Note that the more permeable an air barrier, the more it allows water-vapor diffusion in the assembly.

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Products we use

 VAPOUR PERMEABLE

Air Barrier NS-A250-HP provides a highly UV stable essential protection to work completed in and outside of the building, assisting with construction schedule continuity. Suitable for all commonly used substrates, OSB, plywood, exterior grade gypsum, concrete, steel, and aluminum, this permeable material offers complete VOC-free applications with a Class A fire resistance classification. Transitions to other materials and assemblies like curtain punched or flanged windows and doors and Air Barrier NS-A250-HP is compatible with face sealed assemblies like stucco and EIFS as well as the multitude of exterior cladding materials providing unmatched compatibility assurance

VAPOUR IMPERMEABLE

Institutional, industrial, residential and commercial projects all benefit from the cold liquid applied, adhesion, and cure technology. This low permeability product provides enclosure protection to the elements with seamless and monolithic application and enhanced UV resistance for an extended exposure lifespan. Air Barrier NS-A250-LP offers Class A fire classification, is VOC free, and suitable for different building materials and substrates including sheet membranes – self-adhered or torch-applied – CMU’s, concrete, steel, aluminum, exterior grade gypsum, OSB, and plywood. It is compatible with rigid insulation applications involving exterior cladding materials including stucco and/or EIFS.

GOOD ADHESION IS CRITICAL

Among the permeable air barrier lines available on the market, prefabricated self-adhesive membranes have varying adhesive properties. An effective permeable air barrier must readily adhere to most building surfaces. The permeable air barrier membrane meets and exceeds this basic specification. In fact, it stands out from the competition thanks to its unmatched adhesive qualities. Moreover, no primer is required for its installation.

IN CONCLUSION, HOW TO CHOOSE AN AIR BARRIER MEMBRANE?

Several criteria must be considered when selecting an air barrier. In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, other factors are also taken into account, including:

• UV resistance,
• Insulation present in the cavity,
• Insulation present outside of the envelope,
• Water storage capacity of the sheathing.

All of these factors complicate the drying of a damp wall. Consequently, it is essential to choose a membrane by considering the wall type in which the membrane will be installed, and not only by membrane permeance.