Twelve tips for successful air barrier installation

No doubt, you know that air barriers are critical to achieving building energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality, as well as satisfying code requirements.  Specifying quality air barriers is the first step toward achieving these goals. But the devil is in the details when it comes to making sure a building is air tight.

Over the years, the technical team at Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing has identified 12 tips common to successful air barrier applications. These tips are relevant for both fluid and sheet applied membranes. Today, we’ll tackle the top four:

Flash window and door openings properly.  Extend the membrane into the window or door opening past the thermal transition.

Tie the air barrier to the windows.  The two can be tied together by using sheet flashing or sealant and backer rod.

Flash all penetrations.  Flash all pipes, conduits, electrical boxes, duct-work, and any penetration through the membrane.

Tie the air barrier to the roofing system.  This is a common mistake which can cause problems in the building.

 Next post, we’ll tackle four more keys to a successful air barrier installation.