Why Is it Important for You that We are ABAA Certified

Washington Roofing & Insulation is an accredited contractor of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA).

Washington Roofing & Insulation

In order to become accredited, we completed intensive requirements such as attending courses and passing written exams. Furthermore, in order to be a part of the ABAA, companies must have a minimum of $300,000 bonding ability, over $2 million in general liability insurance, be specifically licensed, have a minimum of 3,000 hours of air barrier field installation or related trade experience and pay an annual membership.

That's all great, you say, but what does that mean for me?

It means that we undertook this challenge as a company to bring a higher level of commitment and professionalism in the installation of air barrier systems for our clients.  It means that our installers have thousands of hours of experience and have been trained specifically on proper installation of this product, and it means that we undergo continuing education and stay up-to-date on trends in air barriers and building envelopes.

Therefore, you will receive a superior end product when Washington Roofing & Insulation works with you to provide the air barrier system for your building.

And that's the bottom line.

Jammin' With Jam-Ex

It is usually the little things that companies do that build their reputation. One of the ways we go that extra mile is utilize products during installations that may not seem like a big deal, but provide a quality, long-lasting end result.

One of those products is called Jam-Ex. Is is a simple thermoplastic piece used to extend jambs, heads and sills of windows, curtainwalls and doors in exterior walls of buildings for air and vapor barrier systems.

We use them around windows sills to maintain an even spray flow across the entire area. No matter how well trained you are, installers will tamper the flow as they near an opening, causing a thinner air barrier around the windows and doors. Jam-Ex prevents this tapering. It also helps prevent wood warping since it is fabricated from a custom blend of resin modified, UV resistant thermoplastic.

It is not exciting, sexy or expensive. It doesn't shake hands, kiss babies or run for president. It is just a little something extra that helps provide a higher quality product and service for our customers.

Give Your HVAC Unit a Break

How much money do you spend a year on your heating a cooling for your building? Commercial energy consumption has always been high but heating and cooling can be a bill you dread receiving. Much of the costs associated with these inflated numbers are due to air leaks in your building.

Many companies now are looking into air barrier systems for their building, which is also considered a "building envelope." The building's six sides are wrapped in layers comprised by a number of different materials which helps prevent air leakage and the diffusion of air caused by wind and other sources. It assists in keeping the warm air in during the colder months and the cool air in during the warmer months. It can also help with the prevention of mold and other pollutants that can be potentially harmful to people within the structure.

Application of the Walltite foam air barrier system at
the University of Missouri School, Columbia, Missouri.

Air barrier system envelope protects entire building.

The Department of Energy says that air leakage can increase energy costs by up to 40% in colder climates and 15% in cooling costs. A good air barrier system can reduce these costs. In fact, since mechanical engineers design the HVAC units in buildings around air leakage, many times they are able to use smaller units when a building has a good air barrier system in place.

So give your HVAC unit a break and look into air barrier systems for your next building design or renovation. It will help your pocketbook, as well.

Up On the Roof Top

We have been "up on the roof top" now for over 35 years and have never been mistaken for Ol' St. Nick, albeit we would find it to be a complimentary identity mishap. The jolly man himself may have a bigger service area and a larger target audience but our mid-western clientele is pretty extensive with places in Texas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa and of course, Kansas.

We have met some fantastic people along the way, and they are all pretty satisfied with their polyurethane spray foam roof systems or their air barrier systems for their commercial buildings.  This last year has been quite a ride. We became Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) accredited to install Air Barrier systems and, along with many others, are currently working with the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

But aside from all of that, we want to wish everyone happy holidays and the best for the 2012 new year. We are looking forward to being "up on the roof top" for many more years to come.

The WALLTITE&REG Air Barrier

WALLTITE® is a premium spray-applied polyurethane foam insulating air barrier system manufactured by BASF. WALLTITE® is seamless and self-adhering, eliminating uncontrolled air leakage by providing monolithic coverage with superior insulation R/U-value.

The graphic below shows how the closed-cell, WALLTITE® Air Barrier is positioned to substantially reduce both air leakage and moisture permeance through the building envelope.

Source: BASF

WALLTITE® is approved by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) and acts as an air barrier as part of the total building envelope. Washington Roofing and Insulation is a Q1 applicator with BASF and an ABAA accredited ABAA.

Source: www.spf.basf.com

Fluid Applied Air Barrier Systems

The primary purpose of an air barrier system is to stop the air from leaking into and out of the building enclosure. Occupants of the building are more comfortable, are provided draft free space and are protected from pollutants entering the building.

When conditioned air leaks out of a building and unconditioned air leaks into a building we must then use additional energy to then condition this air. Air leakage can result in an increased use in energy costs of up to 30-40% in heating climates and 10-15% in cooling costs. (Source Investigation of the Impact of Commercial Building Envelope Air Tightness on HVAC Energy Use). 

Equipment works more efficiently, like HVAC units, and sizing mechanical systems are easier because building owners don't have to compensate for drafts.

Moisture laden air is also barred from entering the building which assists in reducing the corrosion of metals and mold growth.

Washington Roofing & Insulation prepares
a Missouri high school addition with BASF Walltite

Air barriers, especially when used to separate two different environments within a building, can protect one occupant from another occupant's pollutants (such as second hand cigarette smoke), odors (such as cooking odors) and noise (sound delivered by air transport).

Contractors applying air barrier systems should be members of the Air Barrier Association of America which provides ABAA certification and continuing education. For more information, visit the ABAA website or visit us online.