Air Barriers

As we start to see energy codes change and building more efficient homes requested by homeowners and mandated by law, one seemingly simple question keeps popping up.  Contractors and homeowners are both concerned about air barriers. “What they are and where do they go?”   The answer should be simple.  An air barrier is a material or system that does not allow air leakage or air penetration.  Air barriers go around all 6+ sides of your building. (Imagine a box: four walls a top and a bottom.)  Now comes the tricky part.  “What materials and systems (Systems? uh oh….more than one material?) constitute an air barrier?” and, “I’m pretty sure my home has more than six sides.”

(See the roof of the porch? Chances are high that there is little or more likely no insulation there.  That makes for a drafty attic or second floor which allows air to easily flow into the rest of the home.)

How do we answer these questions? And make sure we have homes that are properly sealed?  Keep these questions in mind as you are building a home:

Is your air barrier going to be easily penetrated? By nails, staples, well intentioned picture hangers?

If you look at the building plans, can you trace your finger around the air barrier without lifting it off the page?

What holes are you creating in your barrier and how do you fix them?  Ex. Electrical boxes, cam lights etc.

Are interior details such as soffits inside your air barrier?

And now….A great article from our friends at Green Building Advisor www.greenbuildingadvisor.com  that will help answer more of those nagging questions: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/questions-and-answers-about-air-barriers?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook