Air Barrier Technical Library

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

  1. "Continuing Problems with Air Barrier Systems" - The Construction Specifier December 2011
    http://www.kenilworth.com/publications/cs/de/201112/files/62.html
  2. NEEC - Air Barrier Management Fact Sheet, July 2011
    NREC-Air-Barrier-07-2011.pdf
  3. "Air Barriers: An Evolution" April 2010
    http://www.masonrymagazine.com/Features/air-barriers-an-evolution.html
  4. The High Performance House – What Does It Take? – Part One
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/990308.html
  5. Handling Framing Details in High – Performance Homes – Part Two
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/990512.html
  6. The air barrier defined.
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-air-barrier.html
  7. Air barrier systems: Construction Applications
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-construction-applications.html
  8. The difference between a vapour barrier and an air barrier.
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/irc/doc/pubs/bpn/54_e.pdf
  9. Air Barrier Systems in Buildings
    www.wbdg.org/resources/airbarriers.php
  10. Moisture Control for Buildings
    www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/33288.pdf
  11. Let's Talk about ... Moisture and Mould
    www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/33182.pdf
  12. A Method of Evaluating Air Barrier Systems and Materials
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/ctus/ctus-n46.html
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Air Sealing in Occupied Homes
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/951111.html
  16. Air Barriers
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0403-air-barriers
  17. Structural Requirements for Air Barriers
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/publications/en/rh-pr/tech/91-201.pdf
  18. Air Barrier Materials and Systems: What is the Difference? Is There a Difference?
    www.icr.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/prac/nrcc44978/nrcc44978.pdf
  19. Guide to Insulation Sheathing
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/guides-and-manuals/gm-guide-insulating-sheathing/view?searchterm=insulation sheathing
  20. 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
  21. Air Barriers in Building Construction
    Understanding Costs, Meeting Performance Standards and Exceeding Codes
    Honeywell 2010 - White Paper_Air Barriers - SPF.pdf

 

BUILDING ENVELOPES

  1. Wrap it up: Building Houses with the Skin on the Outside
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/991108.html
  2. Energy Efficient Remodeling – Grab the Opportunity!
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950110.html
  3. 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
  4. Wind and air pressure on the Building Envelope
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-air-pressures.html
  5. Joe Lstiburek & Betsy Pettit: Better Building
    www.housingzone.com/pb/article/joe-lstiburek-amp-betsy-pettit-better-building
  6. Wind Safety of the Building Envelope
    www.wbdg.org/design/env_wind.php
  7. The New Building Crisis: A Survival Guide
    www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=14117
  8. Are Your Houses Too Tight?
    www.energyconservatory.com/articles/articles2.htm
  9. Low-Permeance Materials in Building Envelopes
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/ctus/ctus-n41.html
  10. Service Life of the Building Envelope
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/84-building-envelope.html
  11. Integrating the Window with the Building Envelope
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/88-window-envelope.html
  12. Air Pressure and the Building Envelope
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Air-Pressure-and-the-Building-Envelope.pdf
  13. Building Envelope – Keeping Walls Dry – Part 1
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Keeping-Walls-Dry-Part-1.pdf
  14. Building Envelope – Keeping Walls Dry – Part 2
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/upload/Keeping-Walls-Dry-Part-2.pdf
  15. Impact of Air Leakage on the Thermal and Moisture Performance of the Building Envelope
    www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/pres/111606.pdf
  16. Details: Airtight Framing
    www.coastalcontractor.net/pdf/2006/0601/0601deta.pdf
  17. Weather-Tight Exteriors
    www.coastalcontractor.net/pdf/2004/0409/0409weat.pdf
  18. Investigation of the Impact of Commercial Building Envelope Airtightness on HVAC Energy Use.
    www.nist.gov/customcf/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=101325
  19. The Trouble With It: Building Science
    the_trouble_with_it_building_science.pdf

 

VAPOUR BARRIER

  1. Beauty and the Beast Upstairs
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950309.html
  2. Out, Out Dammed Ice!
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/961109.html
  3. Vapour Barriers in Home Construction
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-9.html
  4. Vapour Barriers: What are they? Are they effective?
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-175.html
  5. Air leakage control
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/86-air-leakage.html
  6. Control of air leakage is important
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-72.html
  7. Air leakage in buildings
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-23.html
  8. Humidity in Canadian Buildings
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-1.html
  9. Humidified Buildings
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-42.html
  10. Vapour Barriers and Wall Design
    http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0410-vapor-barriers-and-wall-design
  11. Understanding Vapour Barriers
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-106-understanding-vapor-barriers/?searchterm=vapor barriers
  12. Vapour Barriers and Wall Design
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0410-vapor-barriers-and-wall-design

 

MOISTURE / HUMIDITY

  1. Moisture Control in Bathrooms
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980310.html
  2. Moisture and Mobile Home Weatherization
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950711.html
  3. Fundamental of Moisture in Houses
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/951108.html
  4. Moisture problems in houses
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-231.html
  5. Moisture Sources in Houses
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/83-moisture-source.html
  6. Building Science: Understanding Heat Flow
    www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-understanding-heat-flow
  7. Building Science: Understanding Air Flow
    www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-understanding-air-flow
  8. Building Science: Moisture Flow
    www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-moisture-flow
  9. Building Science: Clearing the Air
    www.housingzone.com/pb/article/building-science-clearing-air
  10. Moisture Control for Buildings
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0205-moisture-control-for-buildings
  11. Relative Humidity
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0203-relative-humidity
  12. Humidity Control in the South
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-9302-humidity-control-in-the-humid-south
  13. Measuring Humidity in your Home
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_002.cfm
  14. Moisture and Wood-Frame Building
    www.cwc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/1CE8A817-56C8-4E56-A083-3CD9125638B2/0/BP_1moisturee.pdf

 

VENTILATION

  1. Unventing Attics in Cold Climates
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/99/991111.html
  2. Reexamining Roof Ventilation
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001110.html
  3. Forum Brings Fresh Air to Ventilation Issues
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/000511.html
  4. Ventilating Attics to Minimize Icings at Eaves
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950310.html
  5. Mechanical Ventilation for the Home
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960307.html
  6. Ventilation of houses.
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/83-house-ventilation.html
  7. Ventilation Principles
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/projects/irc/cope/principles-ventilation.html
  8. Preventing Ice Dams
    bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/preventing-ice-dams/
  9. Residential Ventilation: Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right?
    www.buildingscience.org/resources/mold/read_Before_You_Ventilate.pdf
  10. Why Houses Need Mechanical Ventilation Systems
    www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ctus/14_e.html
  11. Current Approaches for Mechanical Ventilations of Houses
    www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ctus/15_e.html
  12. Factors Affecting the Performance of Ventilation Systems in Large Buildings
    www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ctus/33_e.html
  13. Evaluating Ventilation in Multifamily Buildings
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/94/940710.html
  14. Improving the Evaluation of Building Ventilation
    www.nist.gov/bflpubs/build95/PDF/b95048.pdf
  15. Myths about Building Envelopes
    www.nist.gov/bflpubs/build99/PDF/b99042.pdf
  16. Ventilation
    www.amerispec.ca/english/brochures/ventilation.htm
  17. Residential Ventilation and Latent Loads
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/articles/Residential_Ventilation_Latent_Load.pdf
  18. Airflow in the Ventilation Space Behind a Rain Screen Wall
    www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/pres/122262.pdf
  19. Forum Brings Fresh Air to Ventilation Issues
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem00/000511.html

 

MOULD

  1. Drying out a crawlspace
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/000115.html
  2. Better Breathing Thanks to Good Science
    www.homeenergy.org/consumerinfo/breathe/bestbreathe.html
  3. Moisture Control in Bathrooms
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980310.html
  4. Sick Houses : Using Diagnostic Tools to Improve Indoor Air Quality
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/97/971107.html
  5. Rain Penetration and Moisture Damage in Residential Construction
    www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cdb/bsi83-1_e.html
  6. Dealing with Moisture Problems
    www.homesandcottages.com/homeowner/archive_featarticle_detail.php?article_id=24
  7. Beating the Mould Challenge.
    www.homesandcottages.com/homeowner/archive_featarticle_detail.php?article_id=131
  8. Indoor Air Quality and Mould Prevention of the Building Envelope
    www.wbdg.org/design/env_iaq.php
  9. Moisture Management
    www.housingzone.com/article/CA466887.html
  10. Tips for Controlling Mould
    www.housingzone.com/article/CA664468.html
  11. Winning the War Against Mould
    www.housingzone.com/article/CA466342.html
  12. Water Management – control moisture problems, and you can control mould.
    www.housingzone.com/article/CA462083.html
  13. Mould: A growing concern!
    www.housingzone.com/article/CA467776.html
  14. What you need to know about mould
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold/mold_need_to_know.pdf
  15. Mould Testing
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold/mold_testing.pdf
  16. Mould Remediation in Occupied Homes
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold_remediation.pdf
  17. Mould: Causes, Health Effects and Clean-Up
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold_causes.pdf
  18. Moisture, Building Enclosures, and Mould – Part 1
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/Mold_part_1.pdf
  19. Moisture, Building Enclosures, and Mould – Part 2
    www.buildingscience.com/resourcesMold_part_2.pdf
  20. Humidity Control in the Humid South
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-9302-humidity-control-in-the-humid-south
  21. Mould and Moisture Dynamics
    www.wbdg.org/design/moisturedynamics.php
  22. Dangers of Mould lie in Ambiguity
    www.windowanddoor.net/pastarticles.php?id=56
  23. Combating Mould and Mildew
    www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18292
  24. Mould
    www.amerispec.ca/english/brochures/5_mould.htm
  25. Air Pressure and Building Envelopes
    www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/air_pressure_envelope.pdf
  26. Fighting Mould – The Homeowners Guide
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/maho/yohoyohe/memo/memo_005.cfm?renderforprint=1
  27. Should You Test the Air in your Home for Mould?
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/maho/yohoyohe/memo/memo_006.cfm?renderforprint=1
  28. Water Damage, Mould and House Insurance
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/maho/yohoyohe/memo/memo_007.cfm?renderforprint=1
  29. How To Clean-Up The Mould:
    www.gcrc.meds.cwru.edu/stach/cleanup.htm
  30. Mould & Mildew – Cleaning up your Flood Damaged Home
    www.fema.gov/pdf/reg-x/mold_mildew.pdf
  31. Mould & Moisture – Should you be Concerned?
    www.hud.gov/offices/lead/helpyourself/Mold.pdf
  32. A Brief Guide to Mould, Moisture, and your Home.
    www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldguide.pdf
  33. Mould Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.
    www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldremediation.pdf
  34. Mould and Moisture
    www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guideh.html
  35. Indoor Air Quality and Mould Prevention of the Building Envelope
    www.wbdg.org/design/env_iaq.pdf
  36. Indoor Air – Mould
    www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/epaprintonly.cgi
  37. Sick Houses – Using Diagnostic Tools to Improve Indoor Air Quality
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem97/971107.html

 

INSULATION

  1. Snowy and Icy Indicators of Wasted Money
    www.homeenergy.org/consumerinfo/roofs/index.html
  2. First Step in Cellulose Sealing : Spot the Style
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980508.html
  3. Home Energy's Consumer Guide to Insulation
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960908.html
  4. The Insulation Industry's Dirty Secret
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/oo/001112.html
  5. An Insulation Roundup
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001113.html
  6. Choosing Insulation
    www.housingzone.com/article/CA496439.html
  7. Prevent Ice Dams
    www.rd.com/cotent/openContent.do?contentId=19396
  8. Insulation, Sheathings and Vapour Retarders
    www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0412-insulations-sheathings-and-vapor-retarders
  9. Vermiculite Insulation Containing Amphibole Asbestos
    www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/insulation-isolant-eng.php
  10. Air Leakage Control
    www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Publications/infosource/pub/renovate/airleakage/
    english/airleakage.pdf

 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY / CONSERVATION

  1. 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
  2. Building Better - How High-Efficiency Buildings Will Save Money and Reduce Global Warming (March 2010)
    BuildingBetter_ReduceGlobalWarming.pdf
  3. Temperature Gradients through Building Envelopes
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-36.html
  4. Thermal Bridges in Buildings
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-44.html
  5. Heat Transfer at Building Surfaces
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-52.html
  6. Thermal Resistance of Building Insulation
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-149.html
  7. Energy Conservation in Canadian School Building
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-209.html
  8. Performance Testing Standards for building
    www.irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cbd/cbd210_e.html
  9. The National Research Council of Canada: Energy Efficiency Pioneer
    www.energy-econergie.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/case_study.pdf
  10. Interior Lighting Design and Energy Conservation
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-192.html
  11. Space Heating and Energy Conservation
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/cbd/building-digest-142.html
  12. New Energy Codes and Their Impact on Lighting Design
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/92-energy-codes.html
  13. Rehabilitation of Solid Masonry Walls
    www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/projects/irc/masonry-rehabilitation.html
  14. Energy Education: A Kilowatt is a Terrible Thing to Waste
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950913.html
  15. Energy Savings Rise High in Multifamily Buildings
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950908.html
  16. The Key to Persistence
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950912.html
  17. Making Low Income Housing Affordable: The Northgate Retrofits
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/93/930308.html
  18. Selecting Windows for Energy Efficiency
    www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/95/950708.html
  19. Energy Efficient Retrofit- The Building Envelope
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_006.cfm
  20. Energy Efficient Upgrade – Mechanical Systems
    www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/refash/refash_006.cfm
  21. ASHRAE Mulls Continuous Air Barriers
    www.bdcnetwork.com/article/ashrae-mulls-continuous-air-barriers
  22. Blueprint for Advancing High-Performance Homes
    Turner-Vaughan Issues in Science and Technology Article.pdf
  23. TightVent Europe Newsletter September 2012: The Observatoire BBA Examines Airtightness
    tightvent.eu
  24. 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