Grace Construction Products Introduces Two New Air Barrier Products
Words: Bronzella Cleveland, Christopher Perego
Grace Construction Products introduced two additions to its line of Air Barriers at AIA 2012: Perm-A-Barrier® VPO fluid-applied vapor permeable air barrier membrane, designed for commercial and residential applications requiring indirect and intermittent UV exposure; and Perm-A-Barrier Aluminum Wall Membrane, a tough, self-adhering, self-sealing waterproofing membrane for air and vapor barrier applications.
A one-component acrylic membrane, Perm-A-Barrier VPO provides continuous air tightness and water protection throughout the wall assembly. Perm-A-Barrier VPO is dark-colored, offering design flexibility. It is engineered for exposure to indirect and intermittent sunlight, such as behind open joint rain screen systems. Air tight, it protects against air passage and associated energy losses and meets the ASTM E2357 standard requirements.
Perm-A-Barrier VPO is developed for wall assemblies requiring "breathable" characteristics. As a vapor permeable membrane, it permits the transfusion of water vapor that might otherwise condense in the wall structure, but is impermeable to liquid water, which allows the material to act as a water drainage plain.
Because Perm-A-Barrier VPO is a single component, it is fast and easy to apply with simple spray equipment. Fully-bonded and seamless membrane, it offers continuous membrane integrity with no laps. It can be applied to damp-to-touch surfaces. It is weather resistant and can be exposed to rain, wind and direct sunlight for as long as six months. It adheres strongly to common construction substrates such as wood, block, concrete, OSB, gypsum sheathing and metal, and is compatible with Grace Perm-A-Barrier Flashing Systems. The Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content of Perm-A-Barrier VPO is less than 20 g/L.
Perm-A-Barrier Aluminum Wall Membrane consists of 36 mil of rubberized asphalt integrally bonded to 5 mil aluminum-faced high density cross laminated polyethylene film. When combined with a structural substrate, it produces a continuous air, vapor and water barrier on concrete, masonry, gypsum board and wood walls.
Perm-A-Barrier Aluminum Wall Membrane provides extended UV exposure and improved sealant adhesion to the film. By minimizing air and water vapor flow through the building exterior, Perm-A-Barrier Aluminum Wall Membrane prevents premature deterioration of the building envelope, enhances thermal performance of the structure, and saves energy costs. It is virtually impermeable to the passage of liquid water and vapor. Air tight, it exceeds CCMC requirements for air barrier membranes and meets the ASTM E2357 standard.
At the show, Grace also highlighted Perm-A-Barrier VPS (Vapor Permeable Sheet), a self-adhering vapor permeable air barrier membrane consisting of a breathable carrier film with a specially designed adhesive.