Stucco House Problems? Install Stucco the Right Way with Matt Risinger
The Build Show’s Matt Risinger shares some of his stucco failures, and how you can avoid the same fate with his proven step-by-step stucco installation method.
Category: House Wrap
Protecting One of Toronto’s Architectural Gems
The Integral House is arguably one of Toronto’s most unusual and spectacular residences. Its name reflects the summa symbol (∫) used to represent the integral in calculus; though it is known more simply to many as the Toronto Mansion. The 17,000-sq.-ft. Rosedale home was designed and built in 2009 for esteemed mathematician and calculus textbook author Dr. James […]
LEED Certification and Air Infiltration
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is an independent verification method that recognizes green building performance. LEED certified buildings are generally assumed to be more energy-efficient than standard structures. LEED® certification can enhance a building’s value, generate higher commercial lease rates and reduce utility costs. By 2018, it is estimated that LEED-certified buildings will contribute almost $30 […]
Foundation Protection Solutions. Step 1: Ditch the Sprays
When it comes to foundation protection and wall waterproofing, some builders only factor in code compliance. They simply spray a tar/asphalt coating on the concrete foundation and proceed with backfilling. Problem is, this approach is short-sighted, leading to spray-on foundation protection issues. Easily damaged spray-on coatings may create vulnerabilities on numerous levels, including moisture leading to mold […]
How to Install an Airtight, Watertight Window with DELTA®
In this post, I want to show you some of the important details for installing DELTA®-VENT SA. I will walk through all the steps of installing the house wrap and then focus on what it takes to flash a window, using the DELTA® line of products from Dörken Systems Inc. Dörken is a German company […]
4 House Wrap Problems and How To Overcome Them
House wrap is one of the most common moisture barriers put on new houses and buildings. The concept is pretty simple, actually; once the basic structure is in place workers put wrap around it as a way to protect the home from unwanted air and moisture. The wrap is attached to the sheathing using staples, […]
Common Problems that Reduce the Effectiveness of Your House Wrap
High-quality house wrap is most often made of spun, high-density polyethylene fibers. It is a vapor-permeable material designed to simultaneously block the passage of liquid. Properly installed, it’s a WRB with the ability to resist moisture while allowing humidity to escape from exterior wall cavities, which is of particular importance in humid climates. However, unforeseen […]
Painlessly Complying with Code-Mandated Air Sealing
When I first started doing blower door tests 15 years ago, I was full of bravado, thinking I had a pretty tight house. I was using a good house wrap and taping the seams, and I was paying my insulation and drywall contractor extra to include “air-sealing measures.” I thought “No problem. I should be […]
How to Choose the Best Housewrap
Building tighter, energy-efficient homes has come with both benefits and risks. As we’ve seen over time, increased airtightness improves energy efficiency, but it also risked producing mold and rot without the proper control of moisture vapor. The key to solving this issue is to allow moisture to dry out. A housewrap (also known as a […]
Water-Resistive Barriers: When and Why Does Vapor Permeance Matter?
Dr. John Straube is a highly regarded building science expert, well known for his research, his consulting work, and his leadership as an educator. He is a Principal at RDH Building Science and a faculty member at the University of Waterloo. This past year, Dr. Straube discussed key building enclosure concepts (including moisture control, airtightness, […]
Airtight Solutions for Open-joint Cladding
Open-joint cladding design elements are being applied by the world’s most advanced building professionals designing some of the most cutting-edge buildings. However, they require extra attention to manage the infiltration of exterior weather.
Just Like Your Skin, Your Housewrap Can Get a Burn
When builders think of ultraviolet (UV) rays, they don’t just consider the effects sun exposure has on their skin. They’re also thinking about the effect UV rays have on the homes they build.
Dörken Systems & Fine Homebuilding: Achieving the Net-zero Ideal
Today, net-zero energy initiatives are taking the building industry by storm. These are homes designed and built to generate as much energy as they consume, once all renewable energy systems are fully installed—with the goal of reducing the energy needed to maintain them. According to a standard set by the NZEC, net-zero energy structures are […]
Overcoming House Wrap Issues With Self-adhered Membranes
Many businesses might not be in the habit of sharing the benefits of a competitor’s product. Occasionally, however, they offer information of which one should consider. We’ve been lauding the benefits of using self-adhered air barriers as opposed to mechanically-attached house wraps for some time now. We’d like to refer you to an infographic posted by Grace Construction Products, […]
