FLUID APPLIED AIR BARRIERS & SPRAY FOAM AIR BARRIERS

APEX Building Company LLC is an ABAA Accredited Contractor distinguished by the Air Barrier Association of America and a top performer for installing high quality, durable, air barriers systems for the building enclosure to protect multi-family, commercial, federal and industrial structures. Air Barriers prevent the unintended movement of air into and out of a building envelope. A properly functioning air barrier system provides a barrier against both the air leakage and the diffusion of air caused by wind, stack and mechanical equipment pressures.

APEX Building Company LLC installs spray foam air barriers that are sprayed onto the exterior walls and expands as it cures, conforming to masonry ties, irregular surfaces and self-flashing into a seamless air & vapor barrier certified by the Air Barrier Association of America. The SPF is an excellent design choice for continuous insulation, moisture and air barrier in one step.

Air barrier systems are comprised of a number of materials which are installed together to provide a complete barrier to air leakage through the building enclosure. The building enclosure includes all six sides of the building and may included separations within a building. This system essentially “wraps” the building shell and ensures that it protects the building from the effects of air leakage. Air leakage can have detrimental effects on how a building functions and reduces the life span of a building.

For the occupants to be comfortable, we condition the air in buildings. In summer or in cooling climates, we normally cool and dehumidify the air to a lower temperature and humidity that the exterior environment. In winter or heating climates, we normally heat and humidify the air to a higher temperature and humidity than the exterior.

When this conditioned air leaks out of a building and unconditioned air leaks into a building we must then use additional energy to then condition this air. Air leakage can result in an increased use in energy costs of up to 30-40% in heating climates and 10-15% in cooling costs. Buildings that have a properly installed air barrier can operate properly with a smaller HVAC system since the mechanical engineer does not have to compensate for an uncontrolled, leaky building. In some cases, the reduction in mechanical equipment size and cost can offset the cost of the air barrier system.

Air barrier systems also provide a barrier to airborne pollutants entering either the building or the building enclosure. Water vapor, dust, insects, odors, etc are all pollutants which we want to keep out of our buildings. Water vapors that leak into the building (from the inside in heating climates and from the outside in cooling climates) can condensate and form water, a key ingredient to corrosion and the potential development of mold.

Whatever the need, APEX Building Company LLC has the experience to approach air barrier and ABAA certified projects of all shapes and sizes. Contact APEX Building Company LLC online today by filling out the form on the right, or call us right now at 888-581-1783.