Why Build for Airtightness?
Sustainable design and construction to achieve low energy, Passivhaus and zero carbon homes are now at the forefront of the building and planning process. Codes and standards are in place which aim to reduce carbon emissions and create homes that are healthier and more sustainable. The only way to achieve Passivhaus, low carbon and zero carbon building is to ensure a high level of airtightness is attained. That means designing and installing a continuous seal around the internal fabric of the external envelope to eliminate unwanted draughts. Once the airtight vapour check is in place and sealed with flexible and durable tapes, seals and glues, it ensures that the insulation functions to its optimum performance, saving energy and drastically reducing carbon emissions for the lifetime of the building. The airtight vapour check also ensures that interstitial condensation risk is minimised, ensuring no structural damage from moisture, mould, rot and damp.
