Building designers and owners are paying a lot of attention to air barriers, given their potential to save energy and money and increase building envelope performance.

A big part of performance is proper installation, which is why IMI is taking the lead on educating craftworkers and contractors, and letting designers know whom they can partner with.

In New York City, we’ve been hosting a series of air barrier familiarization classes that help make everyone comfortable with the technology, especially when it’s in the hands of trained craftworkers.

We’ve already given hands-on tutorials to scores of BAC contractors and members. On September 8, we do it for 200 employees of the New York City School Construction Authority, which now requires air barriers. We continue to reach out to other agencies as well. 

Air barriers are showing up in new construction and renovations because they offer the potential of 10-40% cost savings by controlling condensation and eliminating the unwanted mixing of interior and exterior air.

Is it really that easy to save money, while being sustainable?  Yes, especially with masonry. IMI shows how. Check out the Calendar for upcoming Air Barrier sessions, or contact us.

They are called “bricklayers” but it really doesn’t begin to cover what BAC members do these days. More than just making the skin or structure of a building, they are increasingly responsible for all the control layers in between that handle moisture, air, vapor and thermal performance.

It makes a lot of sense. Designers and owners are realizing that having one trade take on all the layers, especially when that trade really understands how the building envelope should perform, is simply more efficient.

That was clear this week at the Building Envelope event at the Ohio training center, where IMI partnered with manufacturers of some high performance masonry wall systems (Tremco, Prosoco, BASF) to show designers, owners and construction managers some real world applications, and how training can make all the difference.

Folks from the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission appreciated our timing, since they now require air barriers on all of their projects. One CM firm wants us to stage a similar demonstration for all of their supervisors.

“Very timely for current building project requirements.”

                   

CMs and owners are demanding single source responsibility for the building envelope.

We’re ready.

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