Buildings Teams have long sought to keep water out of buildings, to prevent corrosion, rot, and other damage and to keep building occupants comfortable and dry. Yet only recently has air infiltration also been seen as a threat this time, to efficient operations and return on investment. At long last, the building codes are also finally beginning to reflect what building scientists have argued all along: that air barriers are an essential component of building enclosure design.
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Understand issues of air and moisture permeance and penetration in building façades of various kinds to enhance occupant health and welfare.
- Describe materials and systems for employing air barriers, vapor barriers, and other moisture-control systems for building enclosures.
- Resolve potential design and constructability conflicts between cladding elements and moisture/air control systems.
- Compare products for controlling air and moisture infiltration for improved indoor environmental quality