Wall Guardian:  FAQ

wall-guardian2Q. What is an air barrier system?

A. An air barrier system is a group of products, that when used together in a tested assembled system, are designed to stop all air movement, through wall structures. Some, like Wall Guardian also act as the weather barrier to stop water penetration.

Q. What are the main benefits of the Wall Guardian air barrier system?

A. There are many benefits of the Wall Guardian system.

  1. To protect the sheathing, wall cavity, and the interior of the home from liquid water. I also aids in the longevity and sustainability of building products.
  2. To resist the passage of unconditioned air into the home and conditioned air out of the home.
  3. To prevent the build-up of moisture within the walls by allowing for the passage of moisture vapor from the wall cavity, preventing the accumulation of moisture within the conditioned space.

Q. Why is an air barrier better than a house wrap?

A. House wrap is a weather barrier, not an air barrier. Fluid-applied air barrier systems provide a uniform, monolithic, continuous barrier against liquid water and air passage thru the wall cavity, while allowing moisture vapor to escape from the wall assembly. There are no nails or staples to puncture the air barrier as required to attach house wrap nor are there taped lap seams. Every non-self-sealing puncture in conventional house wrap creates a path for air and water to penetrate, potentially increasing the chance of damage to your home and loss of energy performance.

Q. How is Wall Guardian different from vapor barriers?

A. Wall Guardian air barriers are designed to stop the movement of air as well as liquid water, but are vapor permeable. This means they allow for the passage of water vapor. Vapor barriers on the other hand, DO NOT allow for the passage of water vapor and can trap moisture within the wall assembly. This moisture can condense on colder surfaces and can lead to many problems including loss of insulation performance and a decrease in the “R” value of the insulation, mold growth, and rotting of wall components.

Q. Do Wall Guardian air barriers provide any energy savings?

A. There are several ways for the Wall Guardian air barriers to contribute to energy savings.

  1. By keeping the insulation dry and controlling unwanted air movement, the performance of the insulation is kept at its prescribed “R” value, allowing for its maximum performance.
  2. By stopping the air flow through the wall, Wall Guardian air barriers allow the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning components of the home to operate more efficiently and thus use less energy to perform.
  3. The DOE has stated that the use of an Air Barrier system can reduce energy usage by as much as 40% depending on climate area.

Q. Are Wall Guardian systems “SAFE” and “GREEN?”

A. Wall Guardian products are both “SAFE and GREEN.” Our FW-100-A is water-based, water clean-up, thus requiring no solvents that can pollute the air and waterways. It is also a low VOC product that does not pollute our cities with unwanted organic compounds. With 25% recycled content, FW-100-A provides superior performance and recycles components that would otherwise go into the land fill waste stream. Additionally studies by the National Institute of Science and Technology have shown that the use of an Air Barrier system can reduce the number of sick days in commercial buildings and people feel more alert. Pollutants and allergens can’t pass from outdoors and enter in to the home environment.

Q Why a liquid system?

A. Liquid applied systems are very versatile, allowing their use on almost any building condition. They also create a permanent monolithic, adhered system that is not susceptible to the tearing, ripping and degrading that routinely occurs with house wraps. If damaged, liquid systems can easily be repaired by simply re-applying material in damaged areas. Fluid-applied membranes may be preferable for wall surfaces with complicated shapes or a high number of penetrations, which might be difficult or time-consuming to seal by hand using a self-adhered membrane.

Q. How long can Wall Guardian products be exposed to UV Rays?

A. Wall Guardian products are designed for up to 6 months exposure before exterior cladding is applied.

Q. Can the Wall Guardian systems be used behind all types of cladding systems?

A. Wall Guardian systems can be used behind all types of cladding systems including brick, stone, siding, and Stucco.

Q. Can Wall Guardian be applied to all substrates?

A. Wall Guardian products are designed to be applied to all types of wall substrates including OSB, plywood, CMU, exterior gypsum sheathing, and concrete.