Building a new home or building is a big project, with many aspects requiring attention to detail in order to make it successful. Builders do the best they can to make buildings airtight and blower-door-test-ready, but even in the most modern and well-constructed buildings, air leaks can develop leading to costly delays and reduced building performance over time.
How Do Air Leaks Develop in Buildings?
Small openings that allow outside air to enter and conditioned air to escape from a building can develop due to:
- Construction gaps: During the building process, small gaps can form between different materials or components, especially if they are not fitted perfectly.
- Material shifts and shrinkage: Temperature changes and time can cause building materials like wood to shift or shrink, leading to gaps.
- Wear and tear: Regular use, weather conditions, and aging can cause materials to deteriorate, leading to openings.
Common Leak Points
While air leaks can potentially develop anywhere in a home or building, certain areas are more prone to them:
- Windows and Doors: These are the most common culprits. If not installed correctly gaps can form around the frames.
- Attic: The attic is often overlooked, but it’s a prime location for air leaks, especially around vents and plumbing stacks.
- Crawl Spaces: These areas can have gaps around the foundation and where utilities enter the home.
- Recessed Lighting: While recessed lighting doesn’t usually lead directly outside, any leaks into unconditioned spaces will create drafts and reduce the effectiveness of insulation.
The Importance of Professional Air Sealing
Air sealing a new building is an integral step for builders looking to make their buildings more energy efficient, more comfortable, and even healthier. At Northeast Air Sealing, we can ensure your building is exactly as airtight as you need it, and that you’ll never fail a blower door test again when you leave your new construction air sealing to us.
AeroBarrier with Northeast Air Sealing
Northeast Air Sealing utilizes an airborne sealant product called AeroBarrier, which utilizes the air pressure inside a building to automatically locate and permanently seal all holes, down to the width of a hair. Sensors monitor the airtightness in real time, allowing for an air seal set to your exact specifications. This does away with the need for manual methods of air sealing that involve caulking and weatherstripping, which can take much longer to complete and are rarely as thorough or accurate as professionally installed AeroBarrier.
If you are building a new home or multi-family commercial building in northern Massachusetts, southern Maine, Mid Coast ME, or southern New Hampshire, add AeroBarrier installed by Northeast Air Sealing to your list of project must-haves. We will make sure you never fail another blower door test!
