The Green” building industry has asserted that the “airtight building” (which also infers “watertight building”) should be the new standard. The industry also concludes that despite being airtight, it is also strongly desirable that buildings be vapor permeable – thus allowing the building to “dry to the outside” if moisture accumulates in the walls.
The Green Building Industry now recognizes that a good way to achieve this objective is with liquid applied weather barrier systems. The typical system consists of liquid fill and flashing products, and liquid building envelope products that are applied directly to substrates by gun, brush, roller or spray application. The products bond very robustly to virtually all building substrates and its application creates a continuous envelope that will allow neither air, nor water molecules to pass through. The products will, however, allow vapor to pass through typically at a level of 20 perms or greater.
The window and penetration flashing systems that utilize these products can achieve an air and watertight interface that can be described as almost “bullet proof”, resulting in peace of mind for the builder, developer, or customer. These systems are instrumental in creating buildings that will not have to deal with water or air intrusion issues, but will generate comfort, and significant long-term economic benefits to its occupants.
Apptek is trained and experienced in the application of “Liquid Applied Air and Water Barrier Systems”. These new systems can provide desirable “Airtight” buildings – while remaining “vapor permeable” for healthy and highly energy efficient buildings.