Additional factors impacting performance
There are other criteria to consider when evaluating air barriers for a project. These include:
Compatibility
To create an effective, continuous membrane, all air barrier components, including flashing and other details, must work together as a system. Using extensively tested products to validate compatibility is crucial. Mixing and matching products which are not designed to work together can lead to failure and allow air leakage at critical points in the structure, especially around windows, doors, and penetrations.
Dimensional stability
Air barriers can vary in quality, which affects their dimensional stability over time. Lower quality membranes can shrink through temperature changes, potentially opening gaps and allowing air leakage. While lower quality products may cost less, any failures leading to a call-back can exceed any savings.
Innovation
Some air barriers are designed with innovative features or capabilities
to save time and/or money during installation. For example, selecting
a fluid-applied barrier designed to be rain-resistant can be useful in climates where rain showers are common, helping avoid weather-related delays.
Track record
Specifying an air barrier with a proven record of performance in different types of applications and diverse climatic conditions can help minimize the risk of failure. Products which have been in the field for years or decades will often have substantial data to attest to their durability and long-term performance. Products without a track record may present a greater risk given their untested history.
Support
Selecting a manufacturer is just as important as the air barrier itself. The best air barrier manufacturers provide expert knowledge and technical support, help in specifying the right product for the application, and use best practices to ensure proper installation.
Conclusion
Air barriers play an essential role in creating building envelopes which conserve energy, provide healthy indoor environments, and protect structural integrity. When specifying an air barrier, do not overlook the critical factor of adhesion strength. Selecting a membrane with a proven ability to bond will pay dividends for the project, as well as the building owner and its occupants for many years to come.
