Air & Moisture Barriers

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  Roofing Underlayment

  Does the direction of the underlayment matter?

   
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  Self-Adhered Housewrap

  BlueskinVP serves as both housewrap and air barrier

   
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  Crawlspace Cover

  The 8 Mil Floor Liner is durable and easy to install, says the maker

   
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  Slideshow: Flashing a Flanged Window with Housewrap and Flashing Tape

  Veteran builder Carl Hagstrom demonstrates the right way to install a flanged window unit by detailing the housewrap and flashing tape.

   
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  Stabilizing a Brick Exterior (Subscriber content)

  Unstable brick is tied to the floor framing with standard hold downs, threaded rod, and compression plates

   
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  Flashing and Trimming a Window (Subscriber content)

  This methodical approach speeds the work and guarantees a durable, weathertight installation

   
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  Self-Stick Housewrap

  This vapor-permeable, water-resistive air barrier requires no mechanical fasteners.

   
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  Avoiding Problems With Spray Foam (Subscriber content)

  To make sure you’re getting a good spray-foam installation, choose a certified contractor and run regular material tests.

   

• Coastal Techniques: Aluminum Flashing

   
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  Using Shrink-Wrap To Keep Out Rain When Roof Is Under Construction (Subscriber content)

  Keeping dry with shrink wrap

   
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  What I Like: Grace Vycor enV Fully Adhered Weather-Resistive Barrier

  Roller- or spray-applied, Vycor enV covers all seams and fasteners in sheathing and serves as a premeable vapor barrier while protecting homes against air and water intrusion.

   
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  Air Barrier

  Sto Corp. Designed to meet new, more stringent building codes, StoEnergy Guard combines a fluid-applied waterproof air barrier system with a drainage mat to create an energy-efficient breathable wall assembly behind any type of cladding.

   
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  Open-Joint Siding (Subscriber content)

  In the Seattle area, where I work, we get a lot of rain. From the mid-90s to the mid-2000s, there were many high-profile cases of water damage caused by improperly detailed siding, mostly on condos and other multifamily housing.

   
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  Better Concrete Garage Floors (Subscriber content)

  Ten tips for pouring stronger, crack-free concrete slabs.

   
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  Working With Self-Leveling Floor Underlayments (Subscriber content)

  Flatten uneven subfloors quickly with these pour-inplace compounds.

   
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  Moisture-Resistant Drywall From Certainteed

  CertainTeed. ProRoc drywall with M2Tech technology features a water-resistant core and moisture- and mold-resistant paper face. The product is Greenguard certified and is available in Type X panels. M2Tech is also available in the companys newest product, AirRenew, which absorbs formaldehyde and...

   
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  Siding With Cedar Shingles (Subscriber content)

  Install a tight weather barrier, choose top-quality shingles, and use smart production techniques.

   
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  Tiling Over Plywood Subfloors (Subscriber content)

  For crack-free floors, limit joist deflection and install two layers of 3/4-inch plywood and a thinset membrane.

   
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  Low-Profile Perimeter Drain

  The manufacturer of H-Cove claims that this retrofit basement water channel requires significantly less demolition and material replacement than other strategies for reducing basement moisture.

   
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  Moisture-Resistant Gypsum From Lafarge

  Lafarge. Mold Defense gypsum for interior wall and ceiling applications features a moisture-resistant core and treated paper facings on the front, back, and long edges. The product, which is made from synthetic gypsum, can be used as tile backer in dry applications or in areas where some...