Advantages of Fluid Applied Air and Vapor Barriers

Fluid Applied Air and Vapor Barriers offer a number of performance advantages over polymeric weather resistive barriers (building wraps), and traditional asphalt-impregnated felt or paper barriers. Fluid applied air and vapor barriers are used in all types of wall construction including over gypsum and cement-based sheathings, OSB, plywood, CMU, and prepared concrete. Most fluid applied barriers consist of:

1. Joint and fastener treatment products that include options for treating sheathing joints, rough openings, inside and outside corners, and small cracks;
2. Fabrics, meshes and tapes used in conjunction with the joint and fastener treatment products to reinforce the treated areas;
3. A coating that is spray, roller, or trowel applied over the entire substrate.

When properly installed fluid applied air and vapor barriers:

• Effectively block air leakage, reducing energy cost and increasing occupant comfort;
• Reduce condensation through the wall ;
• Provide a seamless moisture barrier with no tears, holes, or lap joints;
• Protect the sheathing and rough openings from weather damage during and after construction;
• Will not lose their effectiveness due to long-term weather exposure;
• Will not blow off the wall during wind events.

Fluid applied air and vapor barriers provide the owner an effective and economical means of protecting the structure long-term. The use a fluid applied air and vapor barriers are recommended for a number of construction conditions and provide significant performance advantages. While fluid applied barriers offer a number of advantages, it’s important to understand that self-adhering membranes also offer benefits that should also be considered when determining the appropriate barrier for the project. Those advantages will be addressed in a future post.

Contact the air and vapor barrier experts at Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing for project specific questions, details and applications guidance. They may be reached at 888-229-2199 or technicalservices@ccw.carlisle.com .

For straight-forward information about how new wall assemblies containing plastic foam insulation and combustible weather barriers can meet tough new NFPA 285 standards, please visit fireresistccw.com.