Air Barrier Technical Library
- NABA TECHNICAL ARTICLES
- AIR BARRIERS IN CANADIAN BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS
- AIR BARRIER CONSTRUCTION DESIGN DETAILS
- NABA AIR BARRIER MASTER SPECIFICATIONS
- AIR BARRIERS
- BUILDING ENVELOPES
- VAPOUR BARRIER
- MOISTURE / HUMIDITY
- VENTILATION
- MOULD
- INSULATION
- ENERGY EFFICIENCY / CONSERVATION
NABA TECHNICAL ARTICLES
AIR BARRIERS IN CANADIAN BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS
Click here for a summary of the various codes and standards that reference air barriers in Canadian codes and standards. Note these National Building Code of Canada articles may differ in BC and Ontario. Check your local code for any differences.
The National Research Council Canada has released new energy efficiency requirements for Part 9 buildings which include requirements for air barriers. Click here to download these revisions and errata to the National Building Code of Canada 2010 as well as those to the National Energy Code for Buildings 2011.
AIR BARRIER CONSTRUCTION DESIGN DETAILS
AIR BARRIER MANUFACTURER DESIGN DETAILS
View our list of NABA Evaluated Air Barrier Assemblies that have completed a ASTM E2357 Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage of Air Barrier Assemblies. This test combines the primary air barrier material with supporting air barrier accessories such as transition membranes and sealants to form a complete air barrier assembly, near-identical to how a wall would be designed and built in your construction project.
For each air barrier assembly listing, you will find air barrier construction design details from the manufacturer which you can download and use in your project design. Click here to download these design details.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS DESIGN DETAILS
A number of general details were developed when the State of Massachusetts adopted air barriers in their current energy code. The details provide a number of wall systems and provides general guidance into some of the design considerations: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/csl/sample-details.html.
Want to learn more about air barriers, their use in construction, cost benefits and design guidelines ? Check out of technical library and air barrier materials page.
NABA AIR BARRIER MASTER SPECIFICATIONS
Click here for the NABA Air Barrier Master Specifications
AIR BARRIERS
- "Continuing Problems with Air Barrier Systems" - The Construction Specifier December 2011
http://www.kenilworth.com/publications/cs/de/201112/files/62.html - NEEC - Air Barrier Management Fact Sheet, July 2011
NREC-Air-Barrier-07-2011.pdf - "Air Barriers: An Evolution" April 2010
http://www.masonrymagazine.com/Features/air-barriers-an-evolution.html - The High Performance House – What Does It Take? – Part One
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/990308.html - Handling Framing Details in High – Performance Homes – Part Two
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/990512.html - The air barrier defined.
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-air-barrier.html - Air barrier systems: Construction Applications
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-construction-applications.html - The difference between a vapour barrier and an air barrier.
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/bpn/54_e.pdf - Air Barrier Systems in Buildings
www.wbdg.org/resources/airbarriers.php - Moisture Control for Buildings
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/33288.pdf - Let's Talk about ... Moisture and Mould
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/33182.pdf - A Method of Evaluating Air Barrier Systems and Materials
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/ctus/ctus-n46.html - Guidelines For Delivering Effective Air Barrier Systems
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Guidelines-for-Delivering-Effective-Air-Barrier-Systems-PDF.pdf - Design Considerations for an Air Barrier System
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Design-Considerations-for-an-Air-Barrier-System-OAA.pdf - Air Sealing in Occupied Homes
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/951111.html - Air Barriers
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0403-air-barriers - Structural Requirements for Air Barriers
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/91-201.pdf - Air Barrier Materials and Systems: What is the Difference? Is There a Difference?
www.icr.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/prac/nrcc44978/nrcc44978.pdf - Guide to Insulation Sheathing
www.buildingscience.com/documents/guides-and-manuals/gm-guide-insulating-sheathing/view?searchterm=insulation sheathing - Single Wythe Block Construction
Analysis on how single wythe block can meet the requirements for the energy code for various states
A report has been generated to provide guidance.
single_wythe_block.pdf - Air Barriers in Building Construction
Understanding Costs, Meeting Performance Standards and Exceeding Codes
Honeywell 2010 - White Paper_Air Barriers - SPF.pdf
BUILDING ENVELOPES
- Wrap it up: Building Houses with the Skin on the Outside
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/991108.html - Energy Efficient Remodeling – Grab the Opportunity!
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950110.html - Controlling the transfer of heat, air and moisture through the Building Envelope.
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/90-controlling-heat.html - Wind and air pressure on the Building Envelope
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-air-pressures.html - Joe Lstiburek & Betsy Pettit: Better Building
www.housingzone.com/pb/article/joe-lstiburek-amp-betsy-pettit-better-building - Wind Safety of the Building Envelope
www.wbdg.org/design/env_wind.php - The New Building Crisis: A Survival Guide
www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=14117 - Are Your Houses Too Tight?
www.energyconservatory.com/articles/articles2.htm - Low-Permeance Materials in Building Envelopes
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/ctus/ctus-n41.html - Service Life of the Building Envelope
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/84-building-envelope.html - Integrating the Window with the Building Envelope
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/88-window-envelope.html - Air Pressure and the Building Envelope
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Air-Pressure-and-the-Building-Envelope.pdf - Building Envelope – Keeping Walls Dry – Part 1
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Keeping-Walls-Dry-Part-1.pdf - Building Envelope – Keeping Walls Dry – Part 2
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Keeping-Walls-Dry-Part-2.pdf - Impact of Air Leakage on the Thermal and Moisture Performance of the Building Envelope
www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/pres/111606.pdf - Details: Airtight Framing
www.coastalcontractor.net/pdf/2006/0601/0601deta.pdf - Weather-Tight Exteriors
www.coastalcontractor.net/pdf/2004/0409/0409weat.pdf - Investigation of the Impact of Commercial Building Envelope Airtightness on HVAC Energy Use.
www.nist.gov/customcf/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=101325 - The Trouble With It: Building Science
the_trouble_with_it_building_science.pdf
VAPOUR BARRIER
- Beauty and the Beast Upstairs
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950309.html - Out, Out Dammed Ice!
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/961109.html - Vapour Barriers in Home Construction
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-9.html - Vapour Barriers: What are they? Are they effective?
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-175.html - Air leakage control
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-air-leakage.html - Control of air leakage is important
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-72.html - Air leakage in buildings
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-23.html - Humidity in Canadian Buildings
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-1.html - Humidified Buildings
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-42.html - Vapour Barriers and Wall Design
http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0410-vapor-barriers-and-wall-design - Understanding Vapour Barriers
www.buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-106-understanding-vapor-barriers/?searchterm=vapor barriers - Vapour Barriers and Wall Design
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0410-vapor-barriers-and-wall-design
MOISTURE / HUMIDITY
- Moisture Control in Bathrooms
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980310.html - Moisture and Mobile Home Weatherization
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950711.html - Fundamental of Moisture in Houses
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/951108.html - Moisture problems in houses
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-231.html - Moisture Sources in Houses
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/83-moisture-source.html - Building Science: Understanding Heat Flow
www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-understanding-heat-flow - Building Science: Understanding Air Flow
www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-understanding-air-flow - Building Science: Moisture Flow
www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-moisture-flow - Building Science: Clearing the Air
www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-clearing-air - Moisture Control for Buildings
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0205-moisture-control-for-buildings - Relative Humidity
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0203-relative-humidity - Humidity Control in the South
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-9302-humidity-control-in-the-humid-south - Measuring Humidity in your Home
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_002.cfm - Moisture and Wood-Frame Building
www.cwc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/1CE8A817-56C8-4E56-A083-3CD9125638B2/0/BP_1moisturee.pdf
VENTILATION
- Unventing Attics in Cold Climates
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/991111.html - Reexamining Roof Ventilation
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001110.html - Forum Brings Fresh Air to Ventilation Issues
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/000511.html - Ventilating Attics to Minimize Icings at Eaves
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950310.html - Mechanical Ventilation for the Home
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960307.html - Ventilation of houses.
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/83-house-ventilation.html - Ventilation Principles
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/projects/irc/cope/principles-ventilation.html - Preventing Ice Dams
bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/preventing-ice-dams/ - Residential Ventilation: Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right?
www.buildingscience.org/resources/mold/read_Before_You_Ventilate.pdf - Why Houses Need Mechanical Ventilation Systems
www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ctus/14_e.html - Current Approaches for Mechanical Ventilations of Houses
www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ctus/15_e.html - Factors Affecting the Performance of Ventilation Systems in Large Buildings
www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ctus/33_e.html - Evaluating Ventilation in Multifamily Buildings
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/94/940710.html - Improving the Evaluation of Building Ventilation
www.nist.gov/bflpubs/build95/PDF/b95048.pdf - Myths about Building Envelopes
www.nist.gov/bflpubs/build99/PDF/b99042.pdf - Ventilation
www.amerispec.ca/english/brochures/ventilation.htm - Residential Ventilation and Latent Loads
www.buildingscience.com/resources/articles/Residential_Ventilation_Latent_Load.pdf - Airflow in the Ventilation Space Behind a Rain Screen Wall
www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/pres/122262.pdf - Forum Brings Fresh Air to Ventilation Issues
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem00/000511.html
MOULD
- Drying out a crawlspace
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/000115.html - Better Breathing Thanks to Good Science
www.homeenergy.org/consumerinfo/breathe/bestbreathe.html - Moisture Control in Bathrooms
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980310.html - Sick Houses : Using Diagnostic Tools to Improve Indoor Air Quality
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/97/971107.html - Rain Penetration and Moisture Damage in Residential Construction
www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cdb/bsi83-1_e.html - Dealing with Moisture Problems
www.homesandcottages.com/homeowner/archive_featarticle_detail.php?article_id=24 - Beating the Mould Challenge.
www.homesandcottages.com/homeowner/archive_featarticle_detail.php?article_id=131 - Indoor Air Quality and Mould Prevention of the Building Envelope
www.wbdg.org/design/env_iaq.php - Moisture Management
www.housingzone.com/article/CA466887.html - Tips for Controlling Mould
www.housingzone.com/article/CA664468.html - Winning the War Against Mould
www.housingzone.com/article/CA466342.html - Water Management – control moisture problems, and you can control mould.
www.housingzone.com/article/CA462083.html - Mould: A growing concern!
www.housingzone.com/article/CA467776.html - What you need to know about mould
www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold/mold_need_to_know.pdf - Mould Testing
www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold/mold_testing.pdf - Mould Remediation in Occupied Homes
www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold_remediation.pdf - Mould: Causes, Health Effects and Clean-Up
www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold_causes.pdf - Moisture, Building Enclosures, and Mould – Part 1
www.buildingscience.com/resources/Mold_part_1.pdf - Moisture, Building Enclosures, and Mould – Part 2
www.buildingscience.com/resourcesMold_part_2.pdf - Humidity Control in the Humid South
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-9302-humidity-control-in-the-humid-south - Mould and Moisture Dynamics
www.wbdg.org/design/moisturedynamics.php - Dangers of Mould lie in Ambiguity
www.windowanddoor.net/pastarticles.php?id=56 - Combating Mould and Mildew
www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18292 - Mould
www.amerispec.ca/english/brochures/5_mould.htm - Air Pressure and Building Envelopes
www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/air_pressure_envelope.pdf - Fighting Mould – The Homeowners Guide
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/maho/yohoyohe/memo/memo_005.cfm?renderforprint=1 - Should You Test the Air in your Home for Mould?
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/maho/yohoyohe/memo/memo_006.cfm?renderforprint=1 - Water Damage, Mould and House Insurance
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/maho/yohoyohe/memo/memo_007.cfm?renderforprint=1 - How To Clean-Up The Mould:
www.gcrc.meds.cwru.edu/stach/cleanup.htm - Mould & Mildew – Cleaning up your Flood Damaged Home
www.fema.gov/pdf/reg-x/mold_mildew.pdf - Mould & Moisture – Should you be Concerned?
www.hud.gov/offices/lead/helpyourself/Mold.pdf - A Brief Guide to Mould, Moisture, and your Home.
www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldguide.pdf - Mould Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.
www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldremediation.pdf - Mould and Moisture
www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guideh.html - Indoor Air Quality and Mould Prevention of the Building Envelope
www.wbdg.org/design/env_iaq.pdf - Indoor Air – Mould
www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/epaprintonly.cgi - Sick Houses – Using Diagnostic Tools to Improve Indoor Air Quality
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem97/971107.html
INSULATION
- Snowy and Icy Indicators of Wasted Money
www.homeenergy.org/consumerinfo/roofs/index.html - First Step in Cellulose Sealing : Spot the Style
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980508.html - Home Energy's Consumer Guide to Insulation
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960908.html - The Insulation Industry's Dirty Secret
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/oo/001112.html - An Insulation Roundup
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001113.html - Choosing Insulation
www.housingzone.com/article/CA496439.html - Prevent Ice Dams
www.rd.com/cotent/openContent.do?contentId=19396 - Insulation, Sheathings and Vapour Retarders
www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0412-insulations-sheathings-and-vapor-retarders - Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/insulation-isolant-eng.php - Air Leakage Control
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Publications/infosource/pub/renovate/airleakage/
english/airleakage.pdf
ENERGY EFFICIENCY / CONSERVATION
- ASHRAE Standard 189.1 - Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
blog.betterbricks.com/design/2010/02/standard-189-1-for-the-design-of-high-performance-buildings-adopted - Building Better - How High-Efficiency Buildings Will Save Money and Reduce Global Warming (March 2010)
BuildingBetter_ReduceGlobalWarming.pdf - Temperature Gradients through Building Envelopes
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-36.html - Thermal Bridges in Buildings
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-44.html - Heat Transfer at Building Surfaces
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-52.html - Thermal Resistance of Building Insulation
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-149.html - Energy Conservation in Canadian School Building
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-209.html - Performance Testing Standards for building
www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cbd/cbd210_e.html - The National Research Council of Canada: Energy Efficiency Pioneer
www.energy-econergie.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/case_study.pdf - Interior Lighting Design and Energy Conservation
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-192.html - Space Heating and Energy Conservation
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-142.html - New Energy Codes and Their Impact on Lighting Design
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/92-energy-codes.html - Rehabilitation of Solid Masonry Walls
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/projects/irc/masonry-rehabilitation.html - Energy Education: A Kilowatt is a Terrible Thing to Waste
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950913.html - Energy Savings Rise High in Multifamily Buildings
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950908.html - The Key to Persistence
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950912.html - Making Low Income Housing Affordable: The Northgate Retrofits
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/93/930308.html - Selecting Windows for Energy Efficiency
www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950708.html - Energy Efficient Retrofit- The Building Envelope
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_006.cfm - Energy Efficient Upgrade – Mechanical Systems
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_006.cfm - ASHRAE Mulls Continuous Air Barriers
www.bdcnetwork.com/article/ashrae-mulls-continuous-air-barriers - Blueprint for Advancing High-Performance Homes
Turner-Vaughan Issues in Science and Technology Article.pdf - TightVent Europe Newsletter September 2012: The Observatoire BBA Examines Airtightness
tightvent.eu - Mandatory Energy-Reporting for Large Buildings Reaches Minneapolis - Construction Dive, Feb 14, 2013
http://www.constructiondive.com/news/mandatory-energy-reporting-for-large-buildings-reaches-minneapolis/100467/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Construction+Dive+created+2013-02-15+092649992678&utm_content=Construction+Dive+created+2013-02-15+092649992678+CID_73b5b778e362e5932d9bb5ed3931c8f0&utm_source=campaignmonitor&utm_term=Mandatory%20energy-reporting%20for%20large%20buildings%20reaches%20Minneapolis