How tape seals the building envelope for contractors
Sustainability
The integrity of a building envelope matters in many ways, from the comfort of the inhabitants to the value of the property. That's why designers and contractors spend so much time focused on keeping the building envelope properly sealed using materials including technologically advanced tape.
What Is the Building Envelope?
A building envelope has multiple layers meant to perform several key duties:
- Moisture control: Excess moisture can quickly damage a building and make the interior spaces smell unpleasant and feel uncomfortable.
- Heat control: When a roof isn't airtight, it leaks moisture and allows heat to escape or enter the structure. The same holds true with windows and other points of potential heat flow.
- Air control: Homes, businesses and industrial facilities need to have just the right air circulation balance. A building envelope that doesn't take proper venting or other air control measures into consideration won't last as long as one that does.
The Benefits of a Tight Thermal Envelope
Generally speaking, building envelope design can be deemed tight or loose. A tight building envelope is preferable because it provides several key advantages:
- Energy savings: Tight thermal envelopes keep spaces at desired temperatures, which means less reliance on utilities season after season.
- Fewer pest problems: Insect and rodent infestations can be common in damp places where the building envelope hasn't been sealed with a high-quality vapor barrier tape.
- Lowered maintenance costs: When mold and mildew are kept at bay, homeowners and property managers can expect to spend less on damage repair.
Where to Seal the Building Envelope
When sealing any building envelope, it's important to think about all the small spots where air and moisture can flow between interior and exterior spaces. Some of these locations include:
- Areas around windows, doors and skylights.
- Chimneys, pipes or venting systems.
- Areas where the structure is surrounded by solid earth, such as at the foundation or along the lower levels of a structure built on a hillside.
- Fans, outlets or switches along the outside walls.
- Areas that may become loose or are likely to have holes or cracks over the years.
Why Air Sealing With Tape Works
Moisture, heat and air sealing tape is used more than any other type of building envelope sealant across Europe because of its flat profile, easy application and dependability.
What makes tape so useful aside from its reliability and versatility? It's affordable and holds tight. The stickiness of tape creates an instant barrier that often grows stronger with time. Plus, tape can be applied without making extra holes in the building envelope.
Tape: A Tight Seal for Any Structure
At tesa, we've produced a line of tapes perfect for contractor use. Discover all the applications of our construction adhesive tapes today.