What’s the Best WRB for Open-Joint Cladding?
Open-joint cladding systems are unique – not just in aesthetics, but in what’s required to correctly protect the exposed structural components within the wall.
Category: UV
The Damaging Effects of UV Exposure on Air- and Water-Resistive Membranes
Despite ‘manufacturer recommendations,’ the long-term durability of most air- and water-resistive barriers is significantly reduced by heavy UV exposure.
All Membranes at Risk from Ultraviolet Rays
Damaging effects of UV rays on air and moisture membranes that are exposed during construction. Air and moisture membranes are widely used in construction to keep buildings water-tight. They are applied to the roof and walls to keep the elements out during the construction process, and after being roofed and walled over, they continue to […]
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 […]
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.
Beauty meets brawn at Boston mixed-use residence
In the past 20 years, Boston’s population has grown faster than the construction industry has been able to keep up. Finding a place to live is not easy, and affording ownership costs is even harder, with a cost of living that is almost 40% above the U.S. average. Available rental units are likewise rare – […]
A stunningly comfortable first impression
Clark University, located in Worcester, MA, is a widely respected research institution, particularly for its excellent science program. To reflect the cutting-edge research that is happening inside its buildings every day, the university is committed to investing in its campus exteriors, in hopes of attracting top students and faculty. That’s why, after three decades, it […]
The Damaging Effects of UV on Air and Moisture Membranes Left Exposed During Construction
Air and moisture membranes are as much a part of modern building construction as doors and windows. These membranes are wrapped around the building within the wall structure, and they’re meant to help prevent mold, mildew, and other unwanted conditions that can damage the structure and lead to health problems for those who use it. […]
Creative Building Design Requires High Performance Water-Resistive Barrier Solutions
The Science Pyramid at Denver Botanic Gardens invites visitors to explore the relationship between people and plants, and to examine the role of biomimicry in our lives – the way the features of nature inspire ideas and actions in people. It’s not surprising then that the building has a great relationship with its surroundings. Rising to a comfortable height among the […]
Open Joint Cladding Requires a UV Stablized Moisture Barrier
Open joint cladding buildings can be strikingly beautiful, but they require suitable stabilization against damaging UV rays in order to reliably protect the building against moisture damage. If the water-resistive barrier is not durable in extreme weather or stable when exposed to prolonged periods of UV light, the system will fail. How UV Rays Affect […]
The Importance of UV-resistant Air and Moisture Barriers
From the process of evolution from single-cellular organisms to multi-system lifeforms, two things have remained consistent as being the most destructive forces on the planet: water and sunlight. Ironically, the two most destructive forces on Earth are also two essential elements that life needs to exist. On a cellular level, the UV radiation in sunlight […]
Benefits of Metal Roofs in Building Design
For many years, the upfront cost of metal roofing was probably the single biggest objection from business owners and building managers when considering what material should top new construction. Within the last decade, however, focus has shifted to sustainability and the lowering of carbon footprints in all types of construction. The many benefits of […]
Prevent Harmful Moisture and Radiation from Entering Your Home
One of the problems with many interior vapor barriers, such as polyethylene, is that no matter how well the product is installed, it is almost impossible to prevent harmful moisture and radiation from entering your home. Every staple, seam, or penetration creates an opportunity for moisture to get past the vapor barrier and into the […]
Challenging Open Joint Cladding Design
The pyramid is one of the earliest forms of structure for human occupation, spanning the ages of the megalithic tombs of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia all the way to today where visitors can see an aesthetically gorgeous confluence of design, form, and function. The Denver Botanic Gardens’ new Science Pyramid is now open to the public. Though […]
