HOW WEATHER AFFECTS AIR BARRIER INSTALLATIONs IN THE Mid-Atlantic

Because many air barrier products available today can only be applied under certain weather conditions, you’re already facing unpredictable installation delays. Combine the two different ranges of limitations for 1) the presence of moisture, and 2) temperatures below 40°F, and your window just got even smaller, potentially wreaking havoc to your construction schedule.

That is why we at PROSOCO made sure our air barriers didn't have these weather limitations.

The impact of moisture and temperature on the construction schedule

Percentage of days with either 0.1" of precipitation or temperatures below 40°F in the past year.

Moisture and temperature are a rough combo for job sites in the Mid-Atlantic

We looked at data from across the country to see how many days out of the year have either 0.1" of precipitation or has a temperature that reaches 40°F or lower (see below on why that temperature limit is important). Here is what it looks like from Virginia down to through the Carolinas.

Air barrier installation in cities across the Mid-Atlantic are impacted by moisture and temperature an average of 49% of the year.

Compared to the rest of the U.S. it is not ONE factor really hurts the Mid-Atlantic, but the COMBINATION OF THE TWO eats up quite a chunk of the construction calendar.

Charleston, SC has impacts from these two weather factors that are comparable to Houston. While Huntington's impacts are similar to Chicago, and Richmond's is akin to New York City.

Most air barriers cannot be installed in wet conditions

What to look out for

Traditional air barrier chemistry, like acrylic emulsion technology, is made to keep water out when fully cured. But any introduction of moisture into the process before the air barrier is fully cured can cause lots of problems. Here is a common statement from acrylic emulsion air barrier literature stating that not only can they not be installed in wet conditions but cannot be installed if there is a chance of rain in the forecast. If it does happen to rain within the 16-hour window listed on the technical data sheet below, the air barrier can literally wash right off the wall.

Excerpt from a leading acrylic emulsion air barrier

To avoid moisture limitations

PROSOCO's FastFlash system is a complete, monolithic building envelope system that can be applied in damp conditions and it is immediately waterproof so it can withstand rain right after application.

Days affected by temperature

Days per month with temperatures below 40°F in 2019.

Days affected by precipitation

Days per month with at least 0.1 inch of precipitation in 2019.

Most air barriers cannot be applied to damp surfaces

What to look out for

Watch out for air barriers that can only be applied on a dry substrates. In reality, if an air barrier can only be applied in dry weather conditions to completely dry substrates, you may have to wait several days or even several weeks to make sure everything the substrates are dry, current conditions are dry and the forecast is dry as well.

Excerpt from a leading acrylic emulsion air barrier

To avoid moisture limitations

PROSOCO's Fast Flash system is a complete, monolithic building envelope system that can be applied in damp conditions and it is immediately waterproof so it can withstand rain right after application.