Masonry Magazine January 2012 Page. 26
AIR BARRIERS
Products that can be sprayed or rolled onto structural walls or CMU back-up makes air barrier installation less like hanging wallpaper and more like simple painting.
"Self-performing the application just about always costs less than subbing it out," Dennis says. It also gives the mason contractor more control at the jobsite. Obviously, a sub who gets delayed installing the air barrier also delays the masonry installation.
Ed Purdy, VP and Co-Owner of Purdy Masonry, Zionsville, Ind., says his company has installed air barriers for about five years, too, and for the same reasons as Ziolkowski: cost and control.
"We usually had to supply the scaffolding and other equipment anyway," Purdy says, "so why not do it ourselves?"
Manufacturer backup
EASE OF INSTALLATION isn't the only factor Dennis says is important in deciding whether to take on air barrier installation. He says the specified air barrier products must be readily available and have first-class manufacturer backup. That includes formal, hands-on training in the products for his crews, and no-cost jobsite and telephone technical assistance.
"Our first job was about five years ago," Dennis said. "We applied a sprayable product to CMU back-up at the riding stables at Culver Military Academy in northwestern Indiana. Then we put up a brick veneer with a stone base.
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January 2012 www.masoncontractors.org
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