1. INTRODUCTION TO SOPREMA
Welcome …. Housekeeping items out of the way – bathrooms, breaks for your phone / s, etc.
We are going to spend about 20 minutes this morning discussing our company background.
Self-introductions and any questions you have before we begin today.
How many of you have worked with SOPREMA before?
How many of you know that SOPREMA manufactures and sells systems other than roofing?

2. SOPREMA HISTORY A leader and pioneer in the industry
Charles Geisen started SOPREMA in 1908
A leader and pioneer in the industry
Developed one of the first modern waterproofing membranes by dipping jute cloth into hot bitumen (asphalt)
We will not spend a lot of time on this as you can read all on-line.

3. SOPREMA HISTORY Company Timeline
1992, Pierre-Etienne Bindschedler is named CEO
Great-grandson of Pierre Geisen
He is the third CEO in the company's history
The most important part of our history is that we have had only 3 CEOs in SOPREMA worldwide since 1908.
This gives our company great continuity and a long-term outlook on the business – not a short-term “return” mentality.
ONLY if asked … the owner has two sons in their early twenties (2016) so the expectation is to remain in the family indefinitely.

4. SOPREMA IS A GLOBAL COMPANY
SOPREMA has grown 10X over since Pierre-Etienne Binschedler over in 1992.
We are now present in most of the globe.
$2B
in annual sales 7
R&D centers
HOME OFFICE
HEAD OFFICE 49
manufacturing plants 53
Soprema enterprise locations
OFFICES & PLANTS

8. UNDERSTANDING THE CRITICAL ELEMENTS
OF AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS

9. HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE CREDIT
This is an AIA-approved continuing education presentation offering one (1) HSW CEU for participating AIA members.

10. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Wall system applications are becoming more and more common in the building envelope industry today. Explore the science behind wall systems and the tangible benefits of incorporating this technology into building structures. There is an emphasis on the differences between air barriers and vapor barriers and which is the best given climate and wall assembly.

11. ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
SOPREMA, Inc. is a registered provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of completion for non-AIA members are available upon request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

12. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Define wall system terms, specifically the difference between an air barrier and a vapor barrier
Explore the science of wall systems, including the potential impact on energy savings and the beneficial health effects of controlling moisture migration into living environments
Explore the detrimental impact of moisture infiltration into building materials and the safety concerns inherent in unsafe structures
Determine the proper wall system to use for a given climate in order to limit air and moisture movement and ensure the comfort and safety of building occupants

13. The Science of Wall Systems Energy Savings Effects of Air Leakage
TOPICS
Defining Terms
The Science of Wall Systems
Energy Savings
Effects of Air Leakage
Durability
Wall System Options

14. DEFINING TERMS

15. DEFINING TERMS Air Barrier Definition Air Barrier
Material designed to control the movement of air
Vapor permeable air barrier
MOISTURE MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE
AIR MOVEMENT
Brick Veneer
Air Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board 1 2 3 4 5

16. DEFINING TERMS Vapor Barrier Definition Vapor Barrier
Material designed to control the movement of moisture by vapor diffusion
Air/vapor barrier
Non-permeable air barrier
Vapor diffusion retarder
Brick Veneer
Vapor Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board
MOISTURE MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE
AIR MOVEMENT 1 2 3 4 5

17. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS

18. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Importance of Air Barriers
“ Air movement is the dominant factor in the transport of moisture through building envelope assemblies. It is also an important component of heat transfer. Many problems concerning building envelope deterioration can be attributed to inadequate or failed air barriers.”
– National Research Council Canada

19. STRUCTURAL DURABILITY
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
The 3 Core Benefits of Air Barriers
ENERGY
SAVINGS
EFFECTS OF AIR LEAKAGE
STRUCTURAL DURABILITY

20. ENERGY SAVINGS

21. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
Cuts down the heating and cooling costs for the building by controlling air leakage
Air Leakage:
Uncontrolled air movement leading to heat loss and high energy costs
In order to avoid air leakage, air barrier must be sealed, continuous and air impermeable

22. HOT OUTSIDE, COOL INSIDE INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
HOT OUTSIDE, COOL INSIDE
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
80% RH
90°F
70°F
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
AIR MOVEMENT
MOISTURE
MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE 4 2
Brick Veneer
Exterior Construction Board
Wood Stud Wall
Interior Wall Board 3 1

23. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
COOLING A STRUCTURE

24. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
COOLING A STRUCTURE

25. INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
WARMING A STRUCTURE
0°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
10% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
70°F
AIR MOVEMENT
MOISTURE
MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE 1 2 3 4
Brick Veneer
Exterior Construction Board
Wood Stud Wall
Interior Wall Board

26. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
WARMING A STRUCTURE

27. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
WARMING A STRUCTURE

28. 45% THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS Energy Savings Energy Savings
National Institute of Standards and Technology Study
NIST Industry Report on Potential Energy Savings
Prepared for U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Building Technologies
Objective of Study: Investigate the impact of envelope air tightness on energy consumption in a typical commercial building
Written by recognized leaders in building science
up to
45%
Energy Savings

29. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Energy Savings
NIST Report – Energy Savings by Climate
Up to 45% energy cost savings using an air barrier
Average of 32% energy cost savings
Cities in the study:
Miami, Florida – 14% Phoenix, Arizona – 16% St. Louis, Missouri – 42% Bismarck, North Dakota – 44% Minneapolis, Minnesota – 45%

30. EFFECTS OF AIR LEAKAGE

31. HOT OUTSIDE, COOL INSIDE INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Effects of Air Leakage
Unimpeded Air Movement
Without a proper air and/or vapor barrier, warm air (and its accompanying moisture) will move to cooler space
HOT OUTSIDE, COOL INSIDE
Brick Veneer
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board
AIR/MOISTURE MOVEMENT
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
80% RH
90°F
70°F
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH 1 2 3 4
Condensation 4

32. COLD OUTSIDE, WARM INSIDE INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Effects of Air Leakage
COLD OUTSIDE, WARM INSIDE
MOISTURE MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE
AIR MOVEMENT 1 2 3
Brick Veneer
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
70°F
0°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
10% RH 1 3 4
Condensation

33. INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Effects of Air Leakage
INDIRECT AIR MOVEMENT
AIR MOVEMENT 1 2 3
Brick Veneer
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
70°F
0°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
10% RH 1 3 4

34. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Effects of Air Leakage
Importance of Building Envelope Continuity
Air leakage transports 100 times more water through a small void than vapor diffusion through a 4x8 sheet

35. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Effects of Air Leakage
Indoor Air Quality
Warm, moist air from interior or exterior accumulates in vulnerable wall component
Typical condition required for mold growth is 80–95% relative humidity1
Probability of significant growth depends on duration of favorable conditions and type of substrate
1 Treschsel, Moisture Analysis and Condensation Control in Building Envelopes, ASTM, Philadelphia, PA.

36. STRUCTURAL DURABILITY

37. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
A Total Building Envelope
Effective envelopes account for all sides of a building
Roof waterproofing layer
Wall barrier installed on all vertical sides of the building
Foundation wall & under slab barrier

38. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
A Total Building Envelope
Effective envelopes account for all sides of a building
Roof waterproofing layer
Wall barrier installed on all vertical sides of the building
Foundation wall & under slab barrier

39. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
A Total Building Envelope
Effective envelopes account for all sides of a building
Roof waterproofing layer
Wall barrier installed on all vertical sides of the building
Foundation wall & under slab barrier

40. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
Moisture Damage

41. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
Moisture Damage

42. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
Rain Screen
Barrier can also act as a drainage plane for any water that gets past the exterior cladding 1 2 3 4 5
Brick Veneer
Wall System Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board

43. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
Air Barrier Technology
An Air Barrier…
Resists air leakage and rain penetration through building envelope while allowing the diffusion of moisture in the form of vapor
Allows walls of a structure to "breathe"
Offers designers more flexibility in positioning of air barrier within wall assembly
AIR MOVEMENT 1 2 3 4 5
Brick Veneer
Air Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board
MOISTURE MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE

44. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability
Vapor Barrier Technology
A Vapor Barrier…
Resists air leakage so as to act as an air barrier
Resists rain penetration so as to act as a rain barrier
Resists vapor diffusion so as to act as a vapor barrier
MOISTURE MOVEMENT/
VAPOR DRIVE
AIR MOVEMENT 1 2 3 4 5
Brick Veneer
Vapor Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board

45. INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Air Barriers
COLD CLIMATES / WINTER
0°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
10% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
70°F
MOISTURE/
VAPOR DRIVE
Condensation 1 2 3 4 5 6
Brick Veneer
Vapor Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
5. Interior Wall Board

46. INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Air Barriers
COLD CLIMATES / WINTER
0°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
10% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
70°F
MOISTURE/VAPOR DRIVE
Good option! 1 2 3 4 5 6
Brick Veneer
Air Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Vapor Barrier
Interior Wall Board

47. EXTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Air Barriers
HOT CLIMATES / SUMMER
EXTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
70% RH
90°F
70°F
INTERIOR CONDITIONS
50% RH
MOISTURE
VAPOR DRIVE
Good option! 1 2 3 4 5 6
Brick Veneer
Air Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Vapor Barrier
Interior Wall Board

48. INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Air Barriers
COLD CLIMATES
0°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
10% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
50% RH
70°F
PERFECT WALL!
MOISTURE
VAPOR DRIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6
Brick Veneer
Rigid Foam Insulation
Vapor Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Steel Frame
Interior Wall Board

49. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Air Barriers
HOT CLIMATES
90°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
70% RH
70°F
INTERIOR CONDITIONS
50% RH
PERFECT WALL!
MOISTURE
VAPOR DRIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6
Brick Veneer
Rigid Foam Insulation
Vapor Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Steel Frame
Interior Wall Board

50. HOT-HUMID CLIMATES–MIAMI, FL INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Air Barriers
HOT-HUMID CLIMATES–MIAMI, FL
90°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
80% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
30% RH
70°F
MOISTURE/
VAPOR DRIVE
Stucco Veneer
Air Barrier
Concrete Block Wall
Interior Wall Board 3 1 2

51. HOT-HUMID CLIMATES–MIAMI, FL INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Vapor Barriers
HOT-HUMID CLIMATES–MIAMI, FL
90°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
80% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
30% RH
70°F
MOISTURE/VAPOR DRIVE 4
Stucco Veneer
Vapor Barrier
Concrete Block Wall
Interior Wall Board 3 1 2

52. THE SCIENCE OF WALL SYSTEMS
Structural Durability – Vapor Barriers
CLIMATES WITH NO EXTREME CHANGES–MARINE, S, SW
72°F
EXTERIOR CONDITIONS
35% RH
INTERIOR CONDITIONED SPACE
35% RH
70°F
MOISTURE/VAPR DRIVE
Insulated Metal Panel
Vapor Barrier
Exterior Construction Board
Fiberglass Insulation
Interior Wall Board 2 5 4 1 3

53. WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS

54. WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS Self-adhered Controlled thickness Robust
Barrier Types
Self-adhered
Controlled thickness
Robust
Self-reinforced
No mixing or special equipment

55. WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS Considerations Lap sealing required
Barrier Types
Self-adhered Barrier
Considerations
Lap sealing required
Detailing can be complex

56. WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS Mechanically Fastened Inexpensive
Barrier Types
Mechanically Fastened Barrier Benefits
Mechanically Fastened
Inexpensive
Detailing can be complex

57. WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS Barrier Types
Mechanically Fastened Barrier Considerations
Mechanically Fastened
Loosely laid
Does not transmit negative wind load
Tearing at fasteners
Joints, laps, fastener penetrations need to be completely sealed to provide continuous barrier

58. WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS Fluid-applied Seamless Good for complex geometries
Barrier Types
Fluid-Applied Barrier Benefits
Fluid-applied
Seamless
Good for complex geometries
Minimal substrate preparation

59. Fluid-Applied Barrier Considerations
WALL SYSTEM OPTIONS
Barrier Types
Fluid-Applied Barrier Considerations
Fluid-applied
Mixing & spray equipment required
Thickness control

60. CONCLUSION
Wall systems can have a positive impact on energy savings, and building and occupant safety.
It is important to understand the benefits and differences of air barriers and vapor barriers. Depending on climate and weather, one size does not fit all.
There are a number of options in regard to choosing an air and/or vapor barrier.
Building envelope continuity is key to creating a safe and healthy environment for building occupants.

61. THIS CONCLUDES THE AIA ACCREDITED PORTION OF OUR PRESENTATION

62. QUESTIONS?