Hygrothermal performance of exterior wall systems using an innovative vapour retarder in Canadian climate

Tariku, Fitsum (Fitsum Tariku (Fitsum_Tariku)) (author)
Maref, Wahid (author)
Di Lenardo, Bruno (author)
Gatland, S. D. (author)
(editor)
(translator)

© 2009, W. Maref, F. Tariku, F., B. Di Lenardo, S.D. Gatland.

Proceeding of the 4th International Building Physics Conference: 15 June 2009, Istanbul, Turkey. This paper provides highlights of the research work carried out at the National Research Council Canada, Institute for Research in Construction on assessing the hygrothermal performance of wall systems that included this innovative vapour retarder (Note: Vapour Barrier in Canadian terminology is equivalent to Vapor retarder in US terminology). The performance of walls was assessed when subjected to eastern coastal climate conditions of Halifax, one of the four Canadian climatic locations used in this study. A wood-framed stucco clad wall was the reference assembly. Results from different cases based on the variation of vapour control strategies and their effect on the hygrothermal performance of the wall systems are analysed. The results for the Halifax climate location indicate that the installation of a humidity controlled, innovative vapour retarder is a recommendable solution for the envelope design of residential buildings of these locations with moderate or high water vapour permeance of the interior paint. In this study, the advanced hygrothermal tool, hygIRC, was used to perform the hygrothermal performance analysis of the wall systems.

http://nparc.cisti-icist.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/view/object/?id=8f8eb738-966...