Understanding Air Barriers: Importance, Types, and Benefits

An air barrier is an essential component in building construction, particularly for enhancing energy efficiency, improving indoor comfort, and increasing the longevity of a structure. It is a material or system installed in a building’s envelope (the outer shell, including walls, roofs, and foundations) that prevents the unwanted movement of air between the inside and outside of a building. An effective air barrier system helps control air leakage, which is a significant source of energy loss in buildings. To understand the significance of air barriers, it’s crucial to explore their role in energy conservation, types, materials used, and the benefits they provide.