Tag: air barrier
-
The Importance of Defining the Building Enclosure
Subtitle: This new home has a murky boundary between inside and outside Images: The photo at right shows a commo…
-
What Architects Need to Know About Attic Kneewalls
Subtitle: If you want your building enclosure to perform well, you need to start with good design details – especially for kneewalls Images: We were working on a project, so we got a set of plans to get started. It includes the attic kneewall and vaulted ceiling section you see at right. This is typical…
-
Understanding Air Barriers, Vapor Barriers, and Drainage Planes
Subtitle: These three terms refer to different materials that are easy to confuse Images: Is housewrap a vapor barrier? What’s the purpose of building paperTypically referring to Grade D building paper, this product is an asphalt-impregnated kraft paper that looks a lot like a lightweight asphalt felt. The Grade D designation has come to mean…
-
Spray Foam Insulation Is Not a Cure-All
Subtitle: Poor installation can negate the benefits of this popular insulation Images: Spray foam insulation is a great product. Homes insulated with it can be some of the most efficient and comfortable homes built. I’ve been in plenty of homes insulated with spray foam and can tell you that, when done well, those homes are…
-
How to Solve Comfort Problems Caused by Attic Kneewalls
Subtitle: Insulation and air-sealing are key Images: In Texas, they call them “hot walls.” My friend Mike Barcik likes to say they’re what separate you from the blast furnace. Down here in the warmer climate zones, where attics get up to 8,000°F (well, that may be a slight exaggeration), many people call them a liability.…