Air and vapour barriers

Approximately 100 times more water vapour is carried into our walls by air leakage than is carried by vapour diffusion. That makes air barriers 100 times more important than vapour barriers, so why is no one talking about them. How important is an air barrier in a home? Approximately 100 times more water vapor is…

Can a house be too airtight? No it cannot. The difference between air barriers and vapour barriers is often confused. Also confusing, is which one is more important between an air or vapor membrane in a wall assembly for sustainable homes. The difference between air barriers and vapor barriers The job of a vapor…

Vapor variable membranes - what are they and when to use them? Learn when its better to have vapor barriers that regulate moisture. Vapor open membranes and smart vapor barriers: what they are and when to use them Vapor variable membranes, often called smart vapor barriers or vapor open membranes, are one of the…

A guide to choosing the best building tapes for a durable and airtight building envelope, ensuring a long-lasting, high-performance home. Are high quality building tapes worth the money? In the world of high-performance building, the saying 'the devil is in the details' couldn't be more true. When designing homes…

An expert guide to safely and effectively sealing air leaks in older homes. Learn how to find leaks, choose the right materials, and improve comfort, efficiency, and indoor air quality. Air sealing older homes Improving the airtightness of an older home is one of the most effective ways to improve its comfort…

An effective caulking job at air sealing or for water protection in kitchens and bathrooms starts finding the right caulking gun for the job. See here for tips. What is the best caulking tool? The first and most costly mistake made for any first-timers doing a DIY home caulking job is buying the wrong tool. There…

Caulk, caulking, silicone, sealant - the gooey stuff in a tube used to seal windows, doors and to fill the gaps in buildings, comes in all different types - some of which usually gets on your clothes! Here we look at which caulk is best. Which is the best caulk or sealant? Finding the right caulking, and better…

A blower door test identifies air leakage in a home; you can find & fix those air leaks for a more airtight, mold & rot-free & energy-efficient sustainable green home easily. But you need specialized equipment and a trained professional Energy Auditor. What is a blower door test? Blower door tests are becoming a…

Aerobarrier is a non-toxic acrylic spray that quickly and affordably seals air leaks in attics and homes. We cannot overstate the importance of airtightness in homes and attic rooms. A proper air barrier reduces heat loss in winter, overheating in summer, and prevents moisture build up in walls which can lead to…

Weather barriers (or more accurately water-resistive barriers) keep bulk water away from vulnerable building components and allow walls to dry at the same time. A technical guide to understanding the role weather barriers and rainscreens play in a wall, choosing the right products and installation tips for optimum…

Odds are that at any given time the air pressure in a house is out of balance & either drawing air in or forcing it out. Learn the causes, the effects & the solutions for air leakage in homes & why it's important. Air tightness in houses - all about balancing air pressure in the home We go on incessantly here about…