The demand for sustainability is getting more intense by the day in the commercial construction sector. Not only are clients increasingly conscientious, but building codes and governmental standards are raising the bar for what qualifies as “green” construction. With this in mind, comprehensive air barrier systems are becoming the new norm for creating sustainable, high-performing commercial buildings. 

What Is an Air Barrier?

An air barrier is a system of materials that controls movement of air through the walls and roof of a building. A comprehensive air barrier system will use a series of interconnected materials, assemblies, sealed joints, and other components to stifle unwanted air transfer through the building envelope. 

Benefits of Air Barriers in Commercial Buildings

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There are multiple structural and human benefits to installing a comprehensive air barrier in a commercial building. 

Improved Energy Efficiency

The most apparent benefit of air barriers is their potential for improving the energy efficiency of a structure. They help prevent drafts, leakage, and other unwanted air transfer through the building envelope. By keeping conditioned air on the interior of the building and unconditioned ambient air outside, air barriers limit the need for HVAC consumption and help limit overall energy use in the structure. This improves the eco-friendliness of the building while also contributing to cost savings. 

Enhanced Interior Comfort

In addition to energy loss, unwanted air transfer can create uncomfortable interior environments. By limiting air ingress into the conditioned environment, air barriers help promote stable interior temperatures that building occupants can enjoy. Furthermore, air moving through the building envelope can create noises that become a distraction, intensified during times of extreme weather. Therefore, when combined with adequate exterior wall insulation and hvac silencers, air barriers are an important component of creating peaceful interior acoustics. 

Greater Structural Integrity

Air particles contain moisture. When deposited in the walls and roofs of commercial buildings, this moisture creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, rot, and other types of moisture-related damage that can be difficult and expensive to repair. A top-notch air barrier system in the commercial building can ensure that these types of concerns are greatly limited. 

Installing Air Barriers in Commercial Buildings

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Mechanical air barriers are a thing of the past in commercial construction. The new standard is fully-adhered air barriers. There are two primary types of fully-adhered air barriers for commercial buildings: self-adhered air barriers and fluid-applied air barriers.

Self-adhered air barriers require no mixing or spray equipment. Their “peel-and-paste” application makes for quick and simple installation. They are ideal for use with open joint cladding and can bridge gaps and cracks without requiring additional detailing. The main concern with self-adhered air barriers is wrinkles or bubbles that can create air pockets that spread throughout the flashing, so careful attention is required to ensure an even application.

Fluid-applied air barriers come in spray, roll, or trowel applications. They eliminate seams, making installation easier on complex geometries. They are ideal for irregular substrates and have quick-curing technology that keeps construction timelines on track. Overspray is the main concern when using fluid-applied barriers, so thickness verification may be required to ensure that the barrier is operating at optimal levels. 

Protect Commercial Buildings with Comprehensive Air Barriers

By improving energy efficiency and promoting structural integrity, air barriers are a standard component of high-performing commercial buildings. For more ideas on how to incorporate air barrier systems into modern construction projects, explore the resources at Commercial Construction & Renovation for the leading insights in the industry.

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