Designing masonry cavity walls
(08/29/2022)
A look into the design of three types of masonry cavity walls: simple cavity drainage walls, air-vented cavity drainage walls, and rainscreen pressure-equalized cavity walls.
Tag: 07 27 00 Air Barriers
Structural Requirements of the Air Barrier Explained
(10/01/2021)
During the six-month study, over 30 large projects under construction were visited throughout western Canada.
A strong air barrier is fundamental to the ecosystem of high-performing, durable, and passive buildings of tomorrow. As one looks to the future, building transformation would not be complete without an air barrier system...
The proper selection and placement of vapour-impermeable materials within wall assemblies is fundamental to their durability in both cold and warm climates. Failure to correctly account for the impacts of vapour diffusion can lead...
The trend towards higher performing buildings and envelope systems requires a re-doubling of effort towards achieving durable, constructible, and maintainable transition details. There are many ways for these details to fail. Fortunately, there are...
Controlling airflow for a healthy building
(12/08/2017)
Balloons evoke childhood memories of a trip to the circus or a day spent at a local amusement park—the air that fills them is fundamental to life itself. Ironically, the same air that brings...
Membrane roof systems serving as air barriers
(11/29/2017)
For commercial buildings, membrane roof systems can serve as part of an air barrier system. While this is common practice, questions still arise on how to design, specify, and install an effective air barrier...
Understanding the Canadian Air Barrier Standards
(11/11/2016)
During the 1970s, extensive research was carried out in Canada on air leakage in buildings. Researchers at the National Research Council (NRC) demonstrated the importance of managing air leakage through the building enclosure. In...
Choosing SPF as an effective air barrier component
(10/14/2016)
With varying degrees of detail and prescription, Canadian building codes—regardless of the model code—require all buildings to be provided with an air barrier. Where the language is more performance-oriented, such as in Part 5...
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