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Air barriers are your first line of defense in protecting your building from moisture. Why is moisture protection so important? You can find the answer in one of the most unsettling statistics to emerge in 2016 by the Australian Institute of Waterproofing: “…water leaks and the resulting damage from water leaks accounted for up to 80% of all building defects.” Eighty per cent! Indoor air quality (IAQ) issues from mold in remodeled and new buildings is estimated at 30% per FerroCanada. One in 50 homeowners will file an insurance claim for mold, and 93% of chronic sinus infections have been…
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Air Barrier
7 Air Barrier Facts Architects and Specifiers Need to Know
Insider Guidance from the Air Barrier Association of America’s Ex-Chairman and W. R. MEADOWS’ Building Envelope Product Group Manager Russ Snow is a proven industry thought leader on air barriers, most recently receiving the distinction of a fellowship induction from the Air Barrier Association of America (more on that here) for his commitment to influencing industry best practices. Russ briefed me today regarding air barrier trends in Q2 of 2021. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation: Q: Are there any new trends in air barriers? Russ: This isn’t necessarily a trend, but I want to point out that within the…
AIR-SHIELD SMP and Product Application
AIR-SHIELD SMP INTRODUCTION AIR-SHIELD SMP is our brand-new product in our line of air shields. AIR-SHIELD SMP is a tough, durable membrane that exhibits excellent resistance to air leakage and liquid water intrusion, while at the same time allow vapor to readily pass through to allow the wall assembly to dry. This product is perfect to fit your above grade waterproofing needs. USES AIR-SHIELD SMP may be applied to most common surfaces and integrated into various wall assemblies. AIR-SHIELD SMP is suitable for both new construction and retrofit applications and works equally well as an air barrier on precast…
W. R. MEADOWS hosts ABAA Installer Training Course
W. R. MEADOWS was very pleased to host an Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) installer certification training course at our location in Hampshire, Illinois for 15 contractors from across the country. ABAA is the national voice of the air barrier industry, setting a high standard for building envelope excellence through their Quality Assurance Program. ABAA President Russ Snow is also Building Science Specialist at W. R. MEADOWS. This 3-day training program, taught by Peter Spafford, the Director of Quality Assurance from the ABAA, focused on both theory and practical instruction for self-adhered and fluid applied air barriers. The classroom…
Our Interview with Masonry Magazine
At W. R. MEADOWS, we’re proud to be a part of relevant construction-related associations and agencies. We feel that being active members of these communities allows us to see all issues in the field and allows us to be a part of conversations as we progress in the many areas of construction, architecture, and engineering. One of the associations we work with the closest is the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA). The association seeks to raise the standard of proficiency in the air barrier industry through the ABAA On-Site Quality Assurance Program, based on the principles outlined in ISO…
ASTM E 2178 Standards Explained
The use of the proper air barrier material is an integral part of achieving a resilient and efficient building by protecting it from unwanted air and water penetration. In order for this necessary protection to take place, it is critical that the material be fully tested to ensure that it is able to perform in the environment that it is going to be exposed to. It is key that the selected air barrier material has low air permeance and high resistance. The most common test method to ensure this is ASTM E2178, the Standard Test Method for Air Permeance of…
Check out our AIR-SHIELD LSR promotional flyer!
If you’re a seller, specifier, or installer of AIR-SHIELD LSR, we have a new item for your construction material collateral – our new informational flyer. This flyer features full-color photos and product information for our AIR-SHIELD LSR liquid membrane air/vapor and liquid moisture barrier. 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.…