WHY AIR BARRIERS MATTER

To understand air barrier benefits, it helps to understand what an air barrier is.

An air barrier is a system for controlling the air flow between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
This air barrier system is the primary air enclosure boundary that separates indoor (conditioned) air from outdoor (unconditioned) air.

In a multi-unit building (office, townhouse or apartment) the air barrier system also mitigates the air and noise sharing between adjacent units.

Keeps conditioned air in conditioned spaces

Prevents air leaks through cracks

Stops interior moist air from entering wall cavities

BENEFITS OF AN AIR BARRIER

COST SAVINGS

Reduce both the initial cost and the ongoing utilities of the HVAC system

DURABILITY

Protect the structural integrity of the building by preventing air & moisture transfer

COMFORT

Achieve a more consistent temperature throughout the house or unit

AIR TIGHT WITHOUT SPRAY FOAM

› No need to rely on spray foam as an interior air barrier

› Achieve air tightness in hours rather than days/weeks

SHRINK YOUR HVAC SYSTEMS

› Tighter buildings have smaller HVAC systems › Reduced wear & tear because of the reduced HVAC load › Avoid over-sizing your mechanical systems

Code-built + AeroBarrier = High Performance Without a High Price

CARBON SAVINGS

EVERY YEAR, 71 TONS OF AIR-BOURNE CARBON ARE SAVED,
THE EQUIVALENT OF 18 FORD F-150 TRUCKS

BUILDING DURABILITY

Plugging air leaks is about more than just escaping air–it also means escaping moisture.
Air barriers prevent the interior, moisture-laden air from entering the wall cavity where it can damage materials and promote mold growth.

AIR LEAKAGE ALLOWS 100X MORE MOISTURE TRANSFER

In most Utah buildings, drywall is the primary interior air barrier. The Building Science Corporation studied how much moisture passes through a drywall barrier during a typical year. The control included a full sheet of drywall, and that was compared with a full sheet that had a 1″ hole cut out of it. That one, tiny hole allowed 100X the moisture to pass through it, adding up to 7.5 gallons of water.

Moisture Problems Related to Air Leakage

As moisture-laden air leaks out of your building, it often deposits moisture in the wall cavity, causing all sorts of unseen problems. From mold growth to wall failure, the effects of moisture deposits over time are devastating.