Masonry Magazine June 2005 Page. 32
AIR BARRIERS
There are some key distinctions between the many types of barrier systems on the market today.
A building's veneer and over the CMU backup. It is important to consider the climate when selecting one of these types of air barriers, as some weather better, are more water-resistant, and are more resistant to tearing. They come in a variety of sizes for different purposes. They are wrapped around the exterior of a house during construction and cut around windows and doors. House wrap tape is used to seal the joints, and flashing is applied.
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Key Factors for Selection
THERE ARE MANY FACTORS to consider when making your choice, but there are some key distinctions between the many types of barrier systems on the market today. Ask these key questions when selecting the barrier system for your next project:
Is it an air barrier? An air barrier reduces risk of condensation caused by air leaks through the wall construction and reduces energy costs by reducing heating/cooling loads.
Is it a waterproof coating? A waterproof coating minimizes risk of water damage to CMU backup and associated repair or replacement costs.
Is it vapor permeable? A vapor permeable choice is breathable and minimizes the risk of moisture getting trapped in the wall cavity.
What about the structure? If it is applied correctly there should be no air leakage or moisture intrusion between the CMU backup and the barrier.
Is it durable? Make sure your barrier system will not tear or lose its effectiveness with exposure to weather during construction or while in service.
Does it resist UV degradation? If it does, it will give peace of mind if construction delays occur, as you won't have to worry about extreme UV rays deteriorating performance.
No matter what type of barrier system is selected, the benefits of using an air barrier system and the energy costs savings far outweigh the initial cost of installing these systems.
For more information about barrier systems, visit the ABAA web site at www.airbarrier.org, the U.S. Department of Energy web site at www.eere.energy.gov, or any of the manufacturers' web sites.
Based in Atlanta, Sto Corp. is a producer of a broad range of versatile cladding and coating systems for building construction, maintenance and restoration. Sto Corp. is ISO 9001:2000 certified and operates production plants strategically located to serve more than 170 distributor locations across North America.