The purpose of buildings is to provide shelter from the elements, such as wind, water, and protection from extreme temperatures.
Simple buildings with empty stud walls without any guts won’t necessarily provide much thermal comfort for the occupants though. Consider a storage shed that provides protection from overhead precipitation—but is usually quite uncomfortable, thermally speaking.
In order to get thermal comfort, you’ll need a good seal around the building envelope. That’s where air and water barriers come in.
Air and Vapor Barriers in Walls
Air barriers are a building component that helps limit the unintended flow of air into your building. Think of a drafty window in the winter. The cold air blowing in reduces thermal comfort. It’s the air barrier’s job to eliminate air movement through your walls.
A secondary function of many air barriers is that they can also act as a vapor barrier, by limiting the transmission of moisture through your walls. In this case, these building components are called air and vapor barriers. Air barrier insulation systems are an essential component in construction since excess moisture inside your structure can cause serious problems like condensation, high humidity, and mold growth.
How is an Air and Vapor Barrier Installed?
Air and vapor barriers come in many forms, including rolls, liquids, boards, and more. Here are a handful of the common air and vapor barriers you’ll see on jobsites:
Plastic Sheeting Film
Peel & Stick Membranes
Liquid Paint (Roll-on)
Liquid Coating (Spray-applied)
Spray-foam Insulation
Foil-faced Insulation Boards
Many air and vapor barrier options require a specialized trade contractor to install the air barrier onto an insulated wall system. For example, the peel and stick will require the insulation contractor to finish installing first, so that he can then apply the air and vapor barrier to the insulation.
Make It Part of Your Wall
Not all air barriers are also vapor barriers. Some air barriers allow moisture to permeate through. Likewise, some vapor barriers allow air to pass through. As you select your air and vapor barrier, make sure you’re picking a material for your design that will limit both air and water movement, and will also provide weather protection for your project.
Don’t let air and vapor barriers be an afterthought in your project. Instead, build your wall system to incorporate thermal performance (high R-values) while also optimizing air and vapor barrier technology. Luckily, there is a product for this application that works as a three-in-one: air barrier insulation systems.
Air Barrier Insulation Systems vs. Air Barriers
Many air barriers require the coordination of multiple trades to install a complete wall system. However, that’s where air barrier insulation systems are different. Insulation air barriers take two wall components and combine them so that they can be installed in a single pass by a single contractor. This saves on labor and shortens your construction timeline.
Rmax’s Water Vapor Barrier Insulation Solution
You’re already installing insulation, so why not turn your insulation’s facer into an air and vapor barrier? The ECOMAXci® Wall Solution combines Rmax’s premium insulation with an air barrier facer that combines high thermal performance with air and vapor performance to craft superior walls that maximize thermal efficiency.
The ECOMAXci® Wall Solution works like this:
Install ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier foil-faced thermal insulation boards on your wall surface.
Treat joints and penetrations with either liquid flashing or tape flashing.
Benefits of ECOMAX® FR Air Barrier Wall Solution
The specs of the ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier speak for themselves when it comes to performance. With an R 6.5 per inch, it maxes out the thermal performance capabilities of building insulation.
Check out the specs on the ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier:
ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier Specifications
Beyond the high R-value per inch, insulation air barrier systems have many advantages over traditional air and vapor barriers.
Take a look at more ways that ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier can benefit your next project:
Eliminates the need for exterior gypsum
Eliminates the need for building wraps
Reduces coordination requirements between contractors
Reduces labor by installing air barrier and insulation at once
Lighter and easy-to-manage materials
Less-specialized installation
Provides continuous insulation
Rmax Brings You Solutions That Perform
Build your next project with innovative solutions that save on construction time and labor costs while also contributing to a higher-performing envelope. Rmax can help you pick the right weather resistant insulation and accessories that work with your budget and design priorities. Reach out to your local Rmax representative today for guidance on your next job!