Air leaks in buildings and living spaces result in a year-round increase in both heating and cooling costs. Unintended air infiltration is a result of a variety of factors, but it is mainly caused by the building envelope being air permeable. With the AeroBarrier Technology, you will easily prevent them all.
Building envelope refers to the insulation that keeps heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Unfortunately, air will escape through it if this insulation fails, allowing outside air to enter your home or building. The result of infiltration is not only an uncomfortable, cold draft but also an unnecessary energy expense.
Existing Standards for Sealing Air Leaks
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), a consensus standard published by the International Code Council, is used in many states to write energy codes for residential and commercial buildings.
The IECC guides how much air infiltration your home or building needs to meet efficiency standards intended to reduce energy costs. In previous versions of the IECC, there were no standards for sealing air leaks and thermal bridging through walls or ceilings.
Importance of Sealing the Building Envelope
New standards call for specific levels of air leakage through the building envelope. To meet those standards, some states’ building codes have adopted a requirement to seal gaps around penetrations in the exterior wall and ceiling that go through the conditioned space.
Assessing the need for a building to be air-tight can sometimes be tricky. For example, gaps and cracks in the exterior envelope might go unnoticed unless someone looks explicitly for them.
As a property owner, sealing the building against leaks is crucial for meeting the energy standards laid out by the IECC; more importantly, sealing minimizes energy loss and affords improved comfort to your living space.
The AeroBarrier Techonology: The Best Solution
AeroBarrier technology is arguably the most viable air sealing method. The system works by controlling the airflow between conditioned and unconditioned spaces by building an enclosure boundary. The said “boundary” is responsible for separating indoor and outdoor air.
Builders prefer the AeroBarrier solution over other methods, i.e., caulk, spray foam and gaskets, because it is versatile. In addition, it doesn’t rely on manual labour and it only needs a few hours to complete the intallation process. This is in stark contrast to the methods mentioned above.
Pros
Reduces Labour Costs
Injection of the AeroBarrier solution is a one-day installation. All the manual labour associated with traditional methods such as caulking is ditched in favour of a blower door and sprayer to distribute the water-based acrylic sealant. There’s no need for countless hours of searching for small leaks and gaps. The system uses a computer to cut the turnaround time in half.
Lasting Effect
AeroBarrier technology rates for 50+ years of seal. This meas that you won’t need to replace it anytime soon. Some states even require its warranty for 25+ years to add to the property owner’s peace of mind.
Unlike other sealing strategies, it doesn’t rely on the consistency of people to maintain it. It may cost more upfront, but you end up saving money in the long run since there’s no need for frequent reinforcement and upkeep.
Versatile
One unit of AeroBarrier is suitable for the average 2,500 square foot home. The system easily fits in pre-construction planning and extended to hotels, motels, hospitals, schools, offices, restaurants, retail stores and other commercial buildings. AeroBarrien technology also reaches residential settings and rental properties.
Sealant Hardens to a Consistency to Cement
AeroBarrier is made up of water-based acrylic sealant that rapidly dries after being injected. The cured product, which hardens to the consistency of cement, provides significantly more resistance than other sealing agents such as caulk or spray foam. It’s also easier to work with than caulking since it doesn’t require brushing to remove excess material that could seep through cracks.
Ideal for Old Buildings
AeroBarrier also suites well for old buildings, especially ones with plaster walls. The materials are consistent with the properties of lime to mimic the original seals used in traditional construction. Instead of demolishing an old property with leakage everywhere, the AeroBarrier solution saves the building.
Non-Toxic Material
One of the most significant advantages of AeroBarrier is that it contains no harmful chemicals. It’s a water-based product, so it doesn’t irritate. In addition, it has low VOC and is GreenGuard Gold certified. This means it’s safe to use in various settings and doesn’t contribute to air pollution.
Efficient Application
Compared with other methods that use foam or gaskets, the system doesn’t have difficulties reaching hidden spaces because of the way the acrylic sealant distributes in the space. It’s also ideal for sealing around wires and outlets.
The initial blower door test determines the initial building leakiness. Once this process ends, the only manual labour it needs is covering the windows, exhaust fans, registers, and other holes that do not need seal.
No Mess
AeroBarrier is also the cleanest solution. It doesn’t leave behind a sticky or gummy residue after it has dried up. As a result, there’s no need to worry about removing it from different surfaces, and there’s no maintenance required.
Is There a Drawback When Using AeroBarrier Technology?
As with any product or service, you expect AeroBarrier to have a “con” that could very well be a deal-breaker for some property owners.
AeroBarrier has the highest initial investment. Yes, it isn’t cheap, but it’s nowhere as expensive as having a new house built or renovating everything to meet code requirements.
The material and installation prices vary on geographical location and the total area that needs sealing. However, it’s guarantee lasts for 50+ years, and the maintenance costs are minimal.
Don’t expect a secondary market for AeroBarrier, so there’s nothing you can sell when you decide to move on. It won’t retain its value once it’s applied, but it offers a lasting solution to your air leakage problem.