Air leakage / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

...air barrier is considered the most important line of defence for a home's durability and energy performance. Air leakage, or the uncontrolled movement of air through the building envelope, can be a noteable source of heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. It's also the main driver of moisture problems inside wall...

...air-sealed to the attic floor. Stopping Air Leaks in Insulated Steel Chimneys Modern, pre-insulated steel chimneys are far more efficient, but can still be a source of air leakage. These systems are designed with metal baseplates and collars to ensure an airtight seal where they pass through ceilings and roofs. Leaks o...

...air leakage can account for up to a third of a home's total energy loss. That's like leaving a window open all year round. Controlling this air leakage is critical for saving money on both heating and cooling. In the winter, every time warm, humid air you paid to heat leaks out, cold, dry air is pulled in, forcing your...

...air sealing homes in the Ecohome Green Building Guide and these pages here:  Air barriers and air sealing a home during construction or renovation All about Passive House construction Learn the difference between air barriers and vapor barriers, its important! DIY video- how to install a peel and stick air barr...

Air tightness in houses - all about balancing air pressure in the home We go on incessantly here about the importance of air barriers in home construction to reduce air leakage, but no matter how hard you worked to make a house airtight, if the pressure isn't balanced you will be sucking air in or forcing it out and, d...

...air barrier as being: 1. Continuous: no gaps, cracks or openings. 2. Impermeable to the leakage of air. 3. Rigid: supported in both directions from wind pressure. 4. Durable: must last the life of the building. 5. Repairable: access for repair if damaged. A sampling of air barrier materials and techniques: House wrap: ...