Breathable Membranes in Timber Construction
Breathable membranes provide an additional defense against moisture and dust infiltration in timber-framed structures, acting as a secondary line of defense against moisture penetration into walls of houses and preventing water penetration through to them. Although water resistant, breathable membranes allow vapor from within to escape, thus preventing condensation build-up from within buildings. They may be installed between timber frames and cladding to stop any possible water infiltration through to walls of houses; when applied on roofs they should be installed underside joists so as to not leak into cavities of wall insulations; when installed onto walls they should be located against cold side insulation to help stop moisture leakage into cavities whilst when used on roofs they should be installed on cold side to help stop any potential moisture leakage into cavities; for optimal performance when used on walls they should be located against cold side insulation while for roof applications they should be installed underside joists on roof applications whereas when used positioned underside joists on installations; for use either way depending on where they’re installed depending on where joists located when installed when placed during construction phase of course of course!
Breather membranes differ from building paper by permitting vapor to pass through them, allowing condensation on walls to dissipate and prevent further mould growth. Furthermore, they provide ventilation throughout the building for healthier indoor air quality as well as maintaining insulation effectiveness.
Installing a breather membrane on a timber frame construction requires making sure that it is securely fastened to each timber, to protect its moisture barrier from being damaged on-site and allow for an effective moisture management solution later in the build process. Austenitic stainless steel staples and nails should be used as these will not rust; additionally it would be wise to mark where your timber frame sits relative to the membrane; this will aid when installing wall ties and battens later on.
