Moisture management revolution

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how VaproShield’s products are elevating moisture management to the next level and keeping buildings healthier. 

VaproShield has been a leader in the construction industry when it comes to air and moisture management for over 20 years. All their roofing solutions go through extensive field and lab testing to ensure they meet all codes and approvals. They have worked tirelessly to not only improve the existing products on the market, but to innovate new technologies that can fill industry gaps. Picking the right system for a building is key to ensuring that the structure is strong, the interior environment’s air quality is good and the owner saves money in the long run.  

At its core, moisture management is always a balancing act. It is important that the envelope is sealed to prevent external moisture from entering, while also controlling internal moisture intrusion into the roof assembly. Without a continuous air barrier membrane, studies indicate buildings will let in 7.5 gallons of moisture through a 1inch hole in one year.  

Traditionally, two layers of ISO (polyisocyanurate thermal insulation) are used as the air barrier. This is made up of two layers and placed in a staggered pattern. This approach will never form a continuous air barrier due to joints, holes, and gaps throughout the system that allow air flow and moisture vapor to flow uncontrolled into the roofing envelope. 

What VaproShield products have done is balanced the need for a more secure envelope with allowing the building to breathe. Air movement accounts for 70-90 percent of moisture vapor transport, making it the primary driver of moisture movement. Since SlopeShield Plus SA is a continuous air barrier it solves the transfer of air and moisture by upwards of 90 plus percent (as low as 0.074 gallons per year). SlopeShield Plus allows the system to breathe, controlling low amounts of moisture entering the system, and preventing moisture from getting trapped in the roofing system. 

To put this in numbers, on a 10,000 square foot roof, a two layer of ISO system would allow 1,172 gallons of condensation in the roofing envelope assembly. Contrastingly, the VaproShield system would only let in 11.7 gallons of condensation that permit the roof assembly to seek equilibrium, improving energy efficiency and performance. Additionally, moisture vapor diffusing into the occupied space is handled with the presence of an HVAC system, which will cycle out the moisture as intended. 

For more about VaproShield products, visit their website!