Blog & News

Properly applied aluminum window flashing contributes significantly toward a building’s or home’s tight building envelope. They will also help keep pests and insects outside and lessen the growth of structurally damaging and unhealthy mold. Even the tiniest gap around a window will allow a significant amount of water to infiltrate the structure’s interior. Therefore, PolyWall […]

The damp, unventilated area under a deck makes deck joints extremely susceptible to fungal rot, which can lead to costly repairs and potential failure. The fungi hyphae spread through the wood, disintegrating the cell walls and lessening their strength. To stop deck joist rot and preserve your deck’s value and integrity, you must eliminate the […]

Window flashing tape provides a continuous front-line defense against unwanted moisture and air infiltrating the building envelope, which can produce structurally damaging mold and corrosion. Window flashing tape will also lower HVAC costs and improve air quality. The 2021 International Residential Code (703.4.1) and the International Building Code (1404.4) require the installation and flashing of […]

Flashings create weather-resistant seals around vulnerable areas of wall assemblies. Builders today typically choose between liquid applied flashing vs. flash tape products, assuming they comply with the ASTM D570, Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics, and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 127, Hydrostatic Pressure Test. Both flashing products seal […]

Investing in a new deck for your house, which can cost between $5,500-10,000+, will provide a beautiful outdoor living space. In addition, a properly built and well-maintained deck will also increase your home’s resale value. You can expect to recoup a good percentage of the building costs of a new wood deck or composite deck […]

Correctly installed vapor barriers (retarders) prevent water vapor from infiltrating a building envelope, provide damp proofing and improve the energy efficiency, comfort, and long-term integrity of the building. Vapor barriers can stop or minimize condensation within the walls, foundation, roof, and floor that can lead to structurally damaging and unhealthy mold and threaten the effectiveness […]

Moisture from groundwater regularly attacks building foundations due to their constant contact with the earth, which can be particularly problematic in areas of poor drainage or high water tables. Damp proofing and waterproofing below-grade walls can effectively stop water infiltration that leads to structurally damaging and unhealthy mold. Additional methods to prevent water from infiltrating […]

Maintaining the integrity of a below-grade insulated concrete form (ICF) wall (slab, crawl space, or basement) requires an application of the best ICF waterproofing, like Poly Wall® Home Stretch™ Peel’ N Stick ICF waterproofing membrane and TERM Water|Termite Barrier. Strong, durable ICF foundations support a structure and give it protection against the forces of nature […]

Architects and builders of homes in cold regions must include sufficient cold climate insulation and quality air and moisture barrier systems to ensure airtight, comfortable, healthy, durable, and energy-efficient homes. In addition, building cold climate houses challenges builders to stay on time and make a profit. Construction in cold weather can slow or even stop […]

When it comes to building science, hydrostatic pressure plays a vital role in designing and constructing any structure, particularly regarding the waterproofing systems for below-grade walls. You can simply define hydrostatic pressure as resting water exerting a load on an adjacent solid entity, like a concrete foundation wall. The consequences of hydrostatic water pressure on […]