AeroBarrier revolutionized the air sealing industry, thanks to its modern and sophisticated installation process. The product is fast becoming one of the most popular air sealing options on the market because of its efficiency. Now, the big question here is, can I DIY AeroBarrier?
While you can find dozens of affordable products that work to seal cracks, gaps, and holes in your home or business, AeroBarrier offers a unique advantage – a tight building envelop done in a matter of hours instead of days.
AeroBarrier’s versatility makes it feasible both for new construction and existing homes and buildings. When it comes to air sealing, it excels in its ability to stop air leakage and drafts.
The initial cost may throw people off, while some property owners contemplate installing the sealant themselves, hoping to save money on labour costs. But is DIY a viable option?
What Property Owners Must Know About Building Envelope
Building envelop is something most people don’t think about – until they experience problems. A tight envelope means your home or business will lose less energy through the roof, walls and virtually everywhere else in between. This cost-effective measure will save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per year on heating and cooling bills.
AeroBarrier is a product made for sealing gaps around windows, doors, utilities, walkways and virtually every other area imaginable within the building envelope. This air barrier ensures that conditioned air stays inside while outside air stays out, keeping you comfortable and reducing energy costs.
DIY AeroBarrier: Traditional Methods Don’t Cut It
Caulking and foam rely on workmanship for them to effectively create a tight building envelope. So, the problem with these methods is that they don’t always work.
Then, there’s the issue of time. For instance, caulking is messy and takes several hours of back-breaking work before application. It also needs to set overnight before it achieves its desired results.
Foam is more efficient but still requires several hours of setup time and application. Like caulking, its performance depends on the capabilities of the installer. Moreover, the foam doesn’t adhere to every surface, which means it must be used in tandem with caulk in most instances.
Sealing with AeroBarrier
Scientists from the University of California came up with the idea of a quicker and more effective way to seal the building envelope, and AeroBarrier was born.
The most significant difference between this air sealing strategy compared to traditional methods is its efficient installation process. This is made possible through a computer-controlled setup that tightens an entire living space using an aerosol-applied sealant.
Then, the self-guiding mechanism looks for the leak and seal them, regardless of location and size.
Is AeroBarrier DIY Project?
The only downside to an AeroBarrier application is that it’s not a do-it-yourself air sealing project. You must hire a pro for this, and here are the reasons why:
Reason 1 – Safety
An AeroBarrier application involves an aerosol spray, which is dangerous if you don’t properly use it. Therefore, the ability to apply and control this air sealing product safely is only possible with a professional doing it.
The self-guiding technology behind AeroBarrier does most of the work for you, but it only works correctly if you know how and when to activate this mechanism. This is why a professional must be around to ensure everything goes as planned.
Reason 2 – Specialty Equipment
You will need special equipment to properly apply the AeroBarrier technology because of all the steps involved. It takes the right amount of pressure, temperature and time for it to achieve maximum results. If even one step is missing, AeroBarrier won’t be as effective.
Reason 3 – Accuracy is Crucial
The essential factors in an application are accuracy and precision. The application method must cover every gap or crack without leaving any skips or patches on the wall. To ensure this will happen, only AeroBarrier must be applied by people with extensive knowledge of this method. This is why it’s best to hire a professional.
Reason 4 – Know-How
AeroBarrier is a complicated product, with lots of possible complications during the application. To make sure everything goes as planned, you must hire someone who’s been through this process before and knows exactly what to do – from start to finish. This is why no one can perform AeroBarrier applications without prior knowledge.
Is It Expensive To Hire a Pro?
AeroBarrier is an expensive product, which makes it understandable why you’d think hiring a professional would be costly. However, this is not the case.
The fact is that AeroBarrier usually pays for itself after just one year of savings because of its energy-saving capabilities. In addition, the application itself can even last up to 30 years if done correctly, so the cost of having a professional install AeroBarrier will be offset by the time you’ll save from not having to go through leaks or do repairs.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your contractor will probably have financing available, which makes paying for an AeroBarrier application less difficult. Some contractors even offer no interest for short-term financing.
Conclusion
An effective air sealing method is crucial to mitigating energy loss in your home, so it’s best not to take chances with DIY AeroBarrier projects. The only way to ensure the best installation is by having a professional install AeroBarrier. Some home improvement projects qualify as DIY, and you get to save money, but this isn’t one of them.