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Found 41 results for the keyword(s) ‘Air Barriers’

• Article

  What is a "drainage layer" for a window installation?

  Janice from Thornhill, Ontario writes: I'm having some wood/fiberglass windows installed and would like to know the product you recommend as the moisture barrier between the outside capping and inside insulation. Your website recommends installing such a barrier but no specific product is mentio...
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  Just how do you install windows properly?

  The reality is that there is not just one good way to install windows, but there are certain principles that must be taken care of with any installation to prevent cold air or water leakage later. Basically a window installation must shed most of the water with the siding, what does get through ...
• Article

  WHERE SHOULD I SEAL AND HOW?

  The smoke test described in the previous answer should be used to verify the presence of typical leaks and discover those peculiar to your own house. Before sealing, read the section on Ventilation to avoid any future condensation problems. The leaks high in the house are not necessarily the lar...
• Article

  What is Air Sealing all about?

  Sealing air drafts, both inside warm air escaping out and outside cold air sneaking in, is one of the most important things you can do to your house. It will both save you heating dollars and protect the structure of your house. This animation gives you a quick and visual overview of the task at ...
• Article

  Where to find WEATHER-STRIPPING that will fit your window/door?

  Weather-stripping is used to seal air leaks at any opening in the house that moves -- doors, windows, and traps. If you need to be convinced of the necessity of doing a good job of weather-stripping, check out Air Barriers in the search tab above -- or look at your last heating bill.   Much of ...
• Article

  What is the difference between a vapour barrier and an air barrier?

  It's become very important to understand the difference between a vapor barrier and an air barrier. If we completely seal a polyethylene sheet on the warm side of the insulation, we call it a combined air/vapor barrier. But it's possible to put the vapor barrier on the warm side of the insulati...
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  Weather Restrictions: Acoustical Sealant

  Connect to your favourite weather forecaster and look for the following conditions:   Category: Adhesives     Product: Acoustical Sealant Temperature Limitations: Product must be above +5 C (+40 F) -- but surface can be below freezing. Rain Limitations: Apply to a dry surface. Wind Limitatio...
• Article

  Insulating an above grade block wall from the inside

  This article deals with a block wall above grade.  For a below grade block wall see Basement Perimeter Drainage and Leaking Foundations.   Bryan is faced with a totally un-insulated cinder block wall with 1x2 strapping and a plaster covering.  He is thinking about stripping it back to the block...
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  MYTH: VAPOUR BARRIERS CAUSE INSIDE CONDENSATION PROBLEMS.

  False. Vapour barriers, together with air barriers, prevent moisture from escaping into the walls. In this sense vapour barriers make you more aware of the quantity of moisture you have generated in your house. Condensation problems are caused by generating too much moisture and/or having too ...
• Article

  "Sealants", caulking and other confusing vocabulary

  Sealants, caulking and other confusing vocabularyThere are all kinds of "sealants" used in construction.What we normally call a "caulking" is properly called a sealant -- a thick material that cures to a flexible solid designed to "seal" the space between two materials -- particularly two materia...