Air Barriers

AIR-SHIELD: Designing for the 21st Century

Uncontrolled air leakage through the building envelope will affect the performance of the building materials within the wall assembly. You’ve made a major investment in your facilities and that investment deserves the very best protection available. That very best protection is offered by the AIR-SHIELD line of air barriers from W. R. MEADOWS. The AIR-SHIELD line includes fluid-applied air barriers, sheet membranes, and vapor-permeable formulations.

NEW FROM W. R. MEADOWS – AIR-SHIELD BUTYL FLASHING

AIR-SHIELD BUTYL FLASHING is a primerless, composite membrane that is comprised of a black woven polyethylene facer and easy-to-release kraft paper release liner. The product is designed for extreme cold applications down to 10° F (-12° C). It can be used as a flashing for rough openings, windows, detailing, and as a transition membrane. This material is an air, vapor, and liquid moisture barrier.

AIR-SHIELD BUTYL FLASHING provides protection against water infiltration in critical detail areas, such as window and door openings, deck-to-wall intersections, corner boards, wall-to-wall tie-ins, foundation sill plates, sheathing panel seams, masonry walls, and other non-roof detail areas. AIR-SHIELD BUTYL FLASHING is designed to be applied without primer or adhesive to ordinary concrete, steel, copper, stainless and galvanized steel, untreated wood, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), extruded insulation board, and exterior-grade fiberglass mat gypsum board sheeting. Treated lumber, OSB, and plywood may require a primer/adhesive, depending on treatment, integrity, and surface films.

view data sheet

 

Air Barrier White Paper

The rationale for non-permeable air barriers (fluid-applied or self-adhered sheet) is based on a number of factors. The most notable of these is the code-driven mandate for exterior continuous insulation in many climate zones. This white paper explains how this decision is made based on many factors, including insulation, the International Building Code, climatic conditions, etc.

White Paper: The Air Barrier Debate – Permeable or Non-Permeable?

 

AIR-SHIELD Animation

About Air Barriers

FACT: Uncontrolled air leakage through the building envelope will affect the performance of the building materials within the wall assembly. W. R. Meadows has consistently helped owners protect their buildings against uncontrolled air leakage which can result in:

• Indoor air quality issues
• Inflated energy costs
• Mold growth
• Efflorescence
• Degradation of building components

For over 95 years, W. R. MEADOWS has been recognized as the leader in developing and producing quality products for the construction industry. We have built a coveted reputation among architects, engineers and contractors for producing the highest quality products backed by 90+ years of experience.

Remember, air barriers are required in all new federal construction. Choose W. R. MEADOWS air barrier systems – we have the right product for your application requirements.

How does air move through my building?
Air will move through the building if there is a pressure difference across the building envelope. As a result, any hole or penetration in the building envelope can allow moisture-laden air to move through the wall.

Air is moved by:

• Building location and wind
• Stack (or chimney) effect
• Mechanical means (HVAC systems)

Featured Air Barrier Products

AIR-SHIELD Video

AIR-SHIELD LMP Video

So how do we prevent air movement?

AIR-SHIELD air/liquid moisture barrier from W. R. MEADOWS is available in six different versions, based on what your building needs entail.

AIR-SHIELD self-adhering air/vapor and liquid moisture barrier is a part of a total system to complete the building envelope. It is a roll-type product that is nominally 40 mils thick. This unique, self-adhesive membrane, protected by a special release paper, is strong and durable. It remains flexible when surface mounted and will adhere to most primed surfaces at minimum temperatures of 40° F (4° C). [A low-temperature version for applications between 20° F (-7° C) and 60° F (16° C) is also available.]

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AIR-SHIELD LM is a liquid applied, water-based, polymermodified air/vapor and liquid moisture barrier. AIR-SHIELD LM cures to form a tough, seamless, elastomeric membrane, which exhibits excellent resistance to air and moisture transmission.

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AIR-SHIELD LMP is also a single component, liquid applied, vapor-permeable air/liquid moisture barrier. AIR-SHIELD LMP stops the movement of air, while at the same time, allowing the passage of vapor. The product is designed for wall assemblies that need a vapor-permeable air barrier.

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AIR-SHIELD LSR (liquid synthetic rubber) is an asphalt-free, single-component, synthetic rubber based liquid air/vapor and liquid moisture barrier. AIR-SHIELD LSR cures to form a tough, seamless, elastomeric membrane, which exhibits excellent resistance to air and moisture transmission. AIR-SHIELD LSR has been specifically formulated to act as an air/vapor and liquid moisture barrier within the building envelope. It may be applied to most common surfaces and integrated into various wall systems. AIR-SHIELD LSR is suitable for both new construction and restoration.

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AIR-SHIELD THRU-WALL FLASHING is a self-adhering, flexible membrane flashing. It is a roll-type product that is nominally 40 mils thick. This material is an air, vapor, and liquid moisture barrier. AIR-SHIELD THRU-WALL FLASHING is a concealed flashing for masonry concrete, wood/steel frames and roofing applications – door and window lintels, sills, spandrel beams, caps, and parapets. AIR-SHIELD THRU-WALL FLASHING is designed for use as a thru-wall flashing and dampproofing course.

Drawings are for illustration purposes only and may not be suitable for use in all climate zones.

Air Barrier Accessories

Our AIR-SHIELD accessory products are designed and developed to work together to complete a total air barrier system.

• AIR-SHIELD 25 MIL FLASHING TAPE – Flexible Flashing, 25 Mils Thick
• AIR-SHIELD ALUMINUM FLASHING – Aluminum-Faced Flexible Flashing
• AIR-SHIELD LIQUID FLASHING – Liquid Flashing Membrane
• AIR-SHIELD THRU-WALL FLASHING – Flexible Flashing
• BEM – One-Component Waterproofing Membrane
• DETAIL STRIP – Self-Adhering Elastomeric Tape
• POURTHANE NS – Non-Sag Polyurethane Joint Sealant
• MEL-PRIME – Solvent-Based VOC Adhesive
• MEL-PRIME N.E. – Solvent-Based VOC Adhesive
• MEL-PRIME W/B – Water-Based Adhesive
• POINTING MASTIC – Cold-Applied Sealing Compound
• TERMINATION BAR – Multi-Purpose, Preformed Attachment Plastic

 

Applications:

• Cavity walls
• Masonry walls
• Precast concrete
• Cast-in-place concrete
• Interior and exterior gypsum board
• Styrofoam
• Primed steel
• Drywall
• Plywood

You can make a difference!Developed to be used as a complete air and air vapor barrier system, the components, whether liquid or sheet, are designed to work together to help make your building more energy-efficient and combat indoor air quality issues. By controlling excessive airflow from your building, you can have a direct impact on our environment. A properly designed air barrier system will reduce the use of energy, which in turn reduces fossil fuel consumption and thus reduces the greenhouse effect.

Call us at (800) 342-5976

 

Air Barrier Calculator

The W. R. MEADOWS Product Estimator app is a great way to learn all about our products. The app includes a coverage calculator that will spell out just how much product you will need once you input the project’s size. We feel this is a great app for all construction professionals, whether you’re an architect, contractor, engineer, or building owner.

Launch Coverage Calculator

 

Air Barrier Materials

Request More Information

To contact your local W. R. MEADOWS representative or for general correspondence, please click here. If you need immediate assistance, please call (800) 342-5976. Thank you!