How Tight is Too Tight?

The building industry is abuzz over how tight is too tight when building a home. Whether a tight envelope can have a negative impact on moisture management or air quality in the structure is being debated vigorously. Some believe that a fair amount of “accidental” air leakage is good for a home as it allows for a building to breathe. However, this accidental air is typically uncontrollable and normally of poor quality because of its origin into the building—crawlspaces, attics, garages, etc. Well-respected building science organizations such as ABAA (Air Barrier Association of America) and ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommend that homes should be built as tightly as possible but with proper ventilation. ASHRAE, in fact, stipulates that sealing, caulking, gasketing, or weatherstripping is necessary for joints around fenestration and door frames; junctions between walls and foundations, walls and building corners, walls and structural floors or roofs, and walls and roof or wall panels; joints, seams, and penetrations of vapor retarders; and all other openings in the envelope.

Acrylic Flashing Tapes Make Sense

With air leakage a key determinant of a building's energy costs, occupant comfort, and service life, it makes good sense to design for effective airtight building envelopes. Flashing is an important consideration in maintaining air tightness. With all the types of flashing on the market, product knowledge is essential. Acrylic flashing tapes have proven in standard and manufacturer testing to have superior performance in all facets of durability as well as the ability to stand up to severe temperature and weather conditions without degradation. While a seemingly small concern in the overall construction process, the right flashing tape can add up to significant advantages for both builders and users of today's homes.

ENDNOTES
1	Quirouette, 1986
2	Bombaru, Jutras and Patenaude, CMHC, 1988

 

 

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