How does AeroBarrier work?
During the AeroBarrier process, similar to a building air permeability test, air is pressurized and a special water-based acrylic sealant is sprayed into the air. Aerosolized sealant fills the room in the form of a mist and, guided by the existing air leaks, goes directly to the places of leaks. AeroBarrier X1 sealant builds up on the edges of a gap, crack or any leak while the opening is being sealed.
The AeroBarrier system monitors outdoor and indoor conditions, controls sealant spraying and air temperature so that the building sealing process is quick, safe and efficient, using as little sealant as possible. Air permeability is measured in real time. When the desired level of tightness is reached, the system notifies the operator.
AeroBarrier X1 Sealant
AeroBarrier X1 sealant is a specially designed, improved and patented water-based acrylic sealant. The seal is flexible and long-lasting. Tests by independent laboratories confirm the effectiveness of AeroBarrier in 3 main parameters in a simulated 50-year cycle: flexibility, material compatibility and material degradation. AeroBarrier X1 sealant does not emit fumes, its safety is confirmed by the Greenguard Gold certificate.
-
Vapor-permeable, permanently flexible water-based sealant - especially low VOC composition, seals the smallest gaps up to 12 mm wide.
-
Wide application and excellent compatibility with various materials - adhesion tested with more than 40 different building materials: metals; plastic; gypsum; timber (natural and industrial); membranes and insulation – AeroBarrier X1 perfectly adheres to every material and does not damage them.
-
High strength and flexibility - 50 years of simulated environmental stress testing demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of the seal. The flexibility of the sealant was tested at temperatures between -35 and 82 degrees Celsius.
-
Greenguard Gold certified – tested to UL 2818 standard. A product that meets the requirements of low emission and environmentally friendly emissions. This standard is designed to ensure that products do not emit hazardous gases or chemicals into the indoor environment and are safe for the health of occupants and the surrounding environment.
-
High fire resistance - suitable for use in multi-storey buildings.
-
Guaranteed result - the only technology that guarantees the achievement of specific air permeability indicators. Passive houses, A+ requirements or lower are achieved consistently, with no leaks or guesswork.
Benefits with AeroBarrier
Energy efficiency
Building longevity
Air quality
Cheaper construction
Comfort of residents
Lower emissions
4 step process
In general, the process of sealing buildings can be described in 4 steps:
Initial inspection: before the sealing process, all necessary openings are temporarily closed - according to the air permeability test methodology and a measurement is made to record the initial air leakage of the building.
Preparation: after the initial test, surfaces where sealant is not desired are masked, such as window sashes as well as finished, horizontal surfaces.
Sealing: AeroBarrier sealant is sprayed into the room where it is drawn by the air pressure differential to the leak where it accumulates and forms a tight, permanent seal.
Test and cleanup: When the sealing process is complete, a final inspection of the fan door is performed to verify the airtightness achieved and to ensure compliance with the desired specifications. The equipment is taken out and masking materials are removed.
AeroBarrier certificate
After the completion of the AeroBarrier building sealing process, you will receive a printout of the process report automatically generated by the system, or an AeroBarrier certificate, which confirms the level of airtightness achieved, providing you with valuable documentation of compliance with building code requirements and energy efficiency programs, or a certificate to the potential buyer of the building about the quality and energy efficiency of the building. This document includes information on the initial tightness of the building, on the airtightness index achieved, as well as the date of the works, which records the 10-year guarantee we offer.
How to plan for the AeroBarrier process?
Sealing a building with AeroBarrier is relatively quick and easy to incorporate into the construction process. Sealing can be done at any time after the building envelope has been constructed and the required air pressure can be achieved in the building. However, it would be best to schedule the AeroBarrier at a time when the thermal insulation, vapor barrier and interior wall finish are installed along with the communication outlets, so that the AeroBarrier can be sealed, for example, in the ventilation/plaster assembly area. Also, it would be better to plan this step before finishing the floor. AeroBarrier will not damage finished vertical surfaces and glazing, we only mask finished horizontal surfaces.
The object must be accessible by minibus at a distance of at least 30m to one of the front doors where air blowing equipment will be installed. The door that connects the garage to the interior of the house is most often used. Our system works independently of the object`s electrical connection.
Typically, the entire 4-step process takes 4-8 hours, depending on the building's initial and achievable airtightness ratings. During the AeroBarrier process, you must not stay in the sealed rooms. Our masters, if necessary, enter the premises only wearing appropriate protective equipment. You can continue the construction work and stay in the premises after the premises have been ventilated, about half an hour after the works are finished.
AeroBarrier can be installed when the air temperature is +4 degrees and the relative air humidity is less than 90%. AeroBarrier can also be installed in winter, but will require several building preparation steps following a special procedure specified by the manufacturer, so the process may take a little longer.
Typical of the construction process, the premises may contain building materials, tools and equipment. The premises should be cleared of belongings, at least to the extent that access to the walls is not obstructed - i.e. such things should be in the middle of the room, away from the walls.
We also seal buildings with completely finished decoration or those that are in operation, but the service will be more expensive and longer due to the labor-intensive preparation of the building. Buildings in operation will have to be cleared of furniture. We do not seal inhabited spaces in multi-apartment buildings, because the sealant can enter adjacent occupied premises through the leaks between the apartments.
How tightly should the building be sealed? The short answer - the more airtight, the better. Expanding this further, we will add that it would be about buildings that are equipped with a ventilation system. In the modern sense, the air permeability of the building's enclosing structure should be planned below 0.6 air changes.
Lower uncontrolled air exchange means:
-
Lower heating costs
-
Better indoor comfort
-
Better air quality
-
Lower building CO2 emissions
-
Less noise from the street or neighboring apartments
-
Lower risks of damage to building structures
-
Lower power equipment
How tightly can AeroBarrier technology predictably seal? Very. With our technology, we are able to achieve indicators under 0.1 even for relatively small buildings with a guarantee, if the quality of the installed doors and windows allows it. Buildings with an area of more than 600m2 are hermetically sealed in parts, dividing the building into several zones, and finally testing the air permeability of the entire building together.
What buildings can be sealed?
A variety of buildings can be sealed with AeroBarrier. The sealing material bonds firmly to various surfaces. Whether your project is new construction or renovation, AeroBarrier is an effective solution to your air sealing needs.
-
Sealing of private houses
-
Sealing of apartment buildings
-
Sealing of commercial objects