Air barrier systems deliver energy savings of 30-40% in heating climates and 10-15% in cooling climates. NIST Study

1. Marflex Building Solutions
Air Barrier Systems
Vapor-Permeable and Non-Permeable Air Barrier Systems
For 3-Part and 10-Part Specifications
and MSDS sheets, call 1.800.498.1411
or contact technicalsupport@mar-flex.com
Building Solutions
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Building Solutions
10/09 5000

2. MARINE
The concern is heavy rain
COLD
The concern is warm, 5 Key Attributes
and humidity that can moist air that can infiltrate
become trapped inside the building envelope and of an Air Barrier:
wall assemblies. attach to cold surfaces.
1. Low Permeability
2. Longevity
HOT-DRY & MIXED-DRY
The concern is intense MIXED-HUMID
The concern is
3. Puncture Resistance
solar cycles that draw
conditioned air outside, moisture-laden air that
can contact cold surfaces
4. Installation Efficiency
costing energy.
inside and outside. 5. Price
Air movement and water vapor
related problems can occur in all
climatic environments. HOT-HUMID
The concern is
From bitter cold, to hot and humid, moisture-laden air that can
Marflex Air Barrier systems can meet infiltrate the building and
the needs of virtually every climate and increase cooling loads.
building application.
Different climates require different barrier systems. Why Marflex?
That's where Marflex Air Barriers excel. Continuity. Support. Impermeability. Durability.
The majority of problems a building With the proper level of tightness, LEED Buildings Benefit Us All The most important features of an air barrier
endures are due to moisture, and its impact lower rated air handling equipment can system in a building are – continuity … structural Marflex AIR Barrier 1200 VP
Compared to conventional “built to
on the degradation of components. be installed to meet lessened demands, support … air impermeability … and durability. Marflex AIR Barrier 1200 VP vapor permeable air barrier system
code” buildings, LEED (The Leadership
so initial expenditure is reduced. These is designed to stop air infiltration and exfiltration in the building
When moisture enters a building envelope in Energy and Environmental Design)
efficiencies add value to the building • Continuity – each component (walls, windows, envelope while allowing the transmission of water vapor preventing
via air leakage and then fluctuates with certified buildings have healthier
making it more attractive to the foundation and roof ) must all be interconnected condensation in the wall assembly. Marflex AIR Barrier 1200 VP
different temperatures and time periods, work and living environments that acrylic membrane adheres fully to CMU, concrete, exterior sheathing
developer, and tenants. to prevent air leakage at the joints between
it can rot envelope components, rust and contribute to improved productivity, and most other building materials.
materials, components, assemblies and systems.
decay structural supports, and damage health and comfort.
Saving Energy and Money • Acts as an air and rain barrier • Unlimited UV Exposure
exterior finishes. An Air Barrier System from Marflex • Support – effective structural support requires
The National Institute of Standards and • Allows the diffusion of vapor • High vapor permeance
"It is estimated that 90% may contribute a possible thirteen (13) that any component of the air barrier system must • Fluid applied (greater than 12.0 perms)
Technology (NIST) reported in 2005 points toward LEED® certification resist the structural loads that are imposed by • Position anywhere in the • Not a vapor barrier
of damage to buildings that air barrier systems in four sampled for new construction under the wind, stack effect, and HVAC pressures without wall assembly • Watertight
buildings reduced air leakage up to 83 following categories:
is caused by moisture. percent, raising gas savings more than rupture, displacement or undue deflection.
40 percent, and electrical savings more • EA Credit 1 – Optimize Energy
• Impermeability – materials chosen to be part
Marflex Building Solutions is committed than 25 percent. Performance (1-10 points)
of the air barrier system should be chosen with
Marflex AIR & VAPOR Barrier 1800
to demystifying the proper use of air • MR Credit 5.1 – Regional Materials:
barriers, and air/vapor barriers, to assure the care to avoid selecting materials that are too Marflex AIR & VAPOR Barrier 1800 provides a seamless, 100%
Moisture Restriction Combats Mold 10% Extracted, Processed and
proper installation of building envelopes air-permeable. rubber continuous membrane around the building envelope.
Manufactured Regionally (1 point)
that are effective, efficient, and green. Mold growth in an indoor environment It is impermeable to air and vapor transmission. It can be spray
• MR Credit 5.2 – Regional Materials: • Durability – materials selected for the air barrier applied directly to concrete, CMU and exterior drywall.
is typically related to an indoor water or
20% Extracted, Processed and system must perform their function for the
The Airtight Building moisture problem. Various practices can
Manufactured Regionally (1 point • Acts as an air, vapor and rain barrier
be followed to mitigate mold issues in expected life of the structure. Otherwise, they
The optimum air tight building is in addition to MR Credit 5.1) • Very low vapor permeance (less than 0.08 perms)
buildings, the most important of which must be accessible for periodic maintenance.
designed to control the quality of the • EQ Credit 7.1 – Thermal Comfort: • Watertight
is to reduce moisture levels that can • Position in wall assembly to prevent moisture condensation
internal environment while conserving Design (1 point)
facilitate mold growth.
the energy required to heat and cool it.

3. Air Barrier Systems Air barrier systems
deliver energy savings
PRODUCT AIR Barrier 1200 VP AIR & VAPOR Barrier 1800 of 30-40% in heating
climates and 10-15%
Elastomeric Emulsion 100% Rubber Polymer
Type
Water-Based Solvent-Based in cooling climates.
Features • Breathable • Non-Breathable NIST Study
• Low odor • Can be applied to damp
• High water vapor-permeance (or green concrete)
• Low VOC content • Excellent elongation and recov-
ery
• Can be applied to damp
(or green) concrete • Seals around penetrations and
brick ties
• Seals around penetrations
and brick ties • Seamless monolithic membrane
• Seamless monolithic membrane
Controlling Air Leakage and Air Flow reduces moisture.
Air Barrier Yes Yes It improves indoor air quality and energy efficiency, too.
Vapor Barrier No Yes
Air Barriers A Growing Requirement • The US Department of Energy has
< 0.004 CFM/ft 2 < 0.0004 CFM/ft2 stated that up to 40% of the energy
Air Leakage An air barrier restricts and controls • US Government Agencies now
used to heat and cool a building is
ASTM E2178 ASTM E283 require air barriers on federally
the amount of air flow and leakage due to uncontrolled air leakage.
funded building projects.
Vapor Permeance through a material. By controlling the
12.0 perms 0.08 perms • Several states now include air barrier • The US Department of Energy has
ASTM E96 amount of air leakage, a building’s
instituted a program with a goal to
functions, and its life span, can be requirements in their building codes.
WaterTightness reduce building energy consumption
Pass greatly improved. Sheetrock, cinder • Massachusetts Energy code, adopted
Pass 25% by 2010 and 50% by 2020.
CGSB 37.58-M86 block, building felt and building wrap in 2001, requires a continuous air
are not effective air barriers, due to barrier for commercial buildings.
Elongation ASTM D412 1200% 1800% their inability to control the air leakage.
Water vapor may be transported by air
UV Exposure Unlimited 30 Days leakage, but you control the rate of Air Leakage Consequences
flow by installing a proper air barrier.
Application Minimum 15˚F / -9˚C Air barriers can be placed anywhere in
Minimum 41˚ F / 5˚C
Temperature a building envelope.
Coverage 55-65 ft2/gal = 20 mil 45-65 ft2/gal = 20 mil
(621-627 Tip Recommended) dry thickness dry thickness Air/Vapor Barriers Thermal Air Moisture HVAC Convective
Comfort Quality Damage Sizing Loops
Dry Time 12-24 hours 12 hours At times, a material can be deemed
both an air and a vapor barrier, or an
Wet Wind
Color Gray Gray air/vapor barrier. In such cases, the Insulation Washing
material is designed to stop both the
Application Method Brush, Roller, Spray Brush, Roller, Spray movement of air and vapor diffusion.
Like vapor barriers, an Air/Vapor
Indoor Durability Energy
Barrier is designed to be installed on
Environment Efficiency
For 3-Part and 10-Part Specifications and MSDS sheets,
the warm side of a building’s insulation.
call 1.800.498.1411 or contact technicalsupport@Marflex.com

4. Managing Infiltration and Exfiltration improves a The simple truth about Air; it moves from Warm to Cold.
building's durability and improves the environment.
7
Air leakage in a building envelope is Wind Pressure Stack Pressure Mechanical Pressure
caused by differences in air pressure,
Wind pressure tends to pressurize a Stack pressure (or chimney effect) HVAC fans cause pressurization, usually
Reasons Why Architects Specify
always flowing in or out.
building positively on the facade it is results from warmer air inside having positive, which is fine in warm climates
but can add to wind and stack pressures
Air Barrier Systems:
Air leakage refers to the unplanned, hitting, and then cavitates and speeds a lower density than the cooler air
unpredictable and unintentional airflow up as it rounds corners, creating strong outside. This difference in density in heating climates. Small air pressure 1. Reduction in moisture problems
differences can be significant and
in or out of buildings, and must be negative pressure at the corners and creates a slight outward positive pressure
should be recognized during the 2. Improvement in indoor air quality
distinguished from the intentional and, weaker negative pressure on the rest at the top of a building, and a slight
ideally, controlled flow of outdoor air of the building surfaces. The average inward negative pressure at the base.
design of a building envelope. Under 3. Lower heating and cooling costs
sustained pressures, some building
into a building via either a mechanical annual wind pressure on buildings The reverse occurs in warm climates materials may be forced out at joints, 4. Lessened greenhouse gas production
or ventilation system. across the U.S. is about 10-15 mph with air-conditioning.
(0.2-0.3psf ) (10-14 Pa).
or come apart at seams. 5. Increased acoustical isolation
• INFILTRATION is caused when a Moisture transport by 6. Isolated indoor environments
higher pressure outside forces air
through walls and into a building.
air leakage is estimated 7. Sustainable, more-durable buildings
to be 60 times greater
• EXFILTRATION is caused when
higher pressure inside forces air out
than transport of Buildings in cold climates should have Permeable Air Barriers, if vapor-permeable,
all construction cavities breathing to can be installed anywhere in the wall
of a building. moisture by diffusion. the outside where possible, allowing assembly, offering the designer more
warm humid air to move toward the design flexibility.
In order for air leakage to occur, there
The general principle for the placement cold air outside.
must be a driving force and a pathway.
of an air barrier is that air moves from There should never be two vapor
The three major air pressures that
the warm side to the cold side. It is always If the air barrier is also functioning as barriers within a wall assembly.
cause infiltration and exflitration are
desirable to promote drying of the wall the primary vapor barrier, it must be
wind pressure … stack pressure … and Wind Stack Mechanical cavity in one or both directions. positioned on the warm-in-winter side
mechanical pressure. Pressure Pressure Pressure of the insulating layer.