Fact or Fiction? Peel-and-Stick Membranes are Effective Transitions

Building Material Transitions

Connections between building materials are notorious sources of failure. While peel-and-stick air barrier membranes are common on the jobsite, are they effective for these transitions? That is FICTION. Peel-and-sticks, also known as self-adhered air barriers, are designed to be applied to sound, non-moving surfaces. The material application requirements clearly state to not bridge across gaps and voids. Using them at transitions in moving joints is counter to how they were intended to be used.

Peel-and-stick membranes and tapes are commonly used as a rough opening treatment but it is virtually impossible to make this treatment seamless. This usually requires cutting and fitting together different pieces with many overlaps. The seal between the laps is the weakest link. And, where there are seams, there is an opportunity for moisture (and air) to enter.

Within the last several years, product development has brought more secure options but change is difficult for many. The question then comes down to how the various alternatives today will perform under demanding conditions and at what point performance breaks down. 

Side-by-Side Building Material Testing

To better understand the performance of various materials available today, a self-adhered membrane and pre-engineered silicone materials were tested as transition materials on two different test walls at Tremco's Building Science Laboratory to compare side-by-side performance.

• ASHRAE 90.1 and the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) specify air leakage not to exceed 0.04 cfm/ft² @ 75 Pa (25 mph; 1.57 psf). Both products performed within the specification prior to being racked however leakage rates for the Self-Adhered Membrane were up to four times greater than the Pre-engineered Silicone Materials.
• When subjected to the water leakage testing (ASTM E331), the peel-and-stick membrane experienced water leakage almost immediately after the pressure was applied.
• The pre-engineered silicone material did not leak water at any time throughout the test.
• When it came to air leakage after racking or simulation of dynamic joint movement, only the pre-engineered silicone was able to pass. The self-adhered membrane was not included, as it had sufficient leakage during initial air infiltration testing with nominal movement that it had failed subsequent water leakage testing.

This testing proves that products made for static conditions are NOT a transition solution. Have a test that you'd like to trial out? Contact our Building Science experts to get started.