Visit the Energy Systems Laboratory Homepage.
Wall Design Redundancy for Improving the Moisture Performance of Building Cladding Systems in Hot-Humid Climates
Loading...
Date
2000
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)
Abstract
An investigation of approximately 4,000 buildings in the hot-humid climate locations of the
United States where the potential for decay of
hygroscopic building materials or corrosion of metals
is moderate-to-severe found that redundant moisture
barriers are necessary to accommodate statistically
probable water leakage in building envelopes.
Conversely, the research found that reliance on
surfice barrier cladding designs without redundant
moisture barriers can lead to water-related problems
of rot, corrosion and deterioration.
Exterior wall designs that incorporate drainage
planes (vented wall designs), rain screens with
drainage planes (pressureequalized or ventilated
designs), and mass storage systems are better
alternatives for building designers to consider in hot-humid
climate locations. These failure mechanisms that
are prevalent in surface barrier systems are
demonstrated from the field research. Ways to reduce
the potential for problems caused by water leakage
using redundant drainage planes are provided in the
paper.