Airtight vs. Leaky Buildings: Key to Energy Efficiency and Health

When it comes to modern construction, airtightness isn't just a buzzword—it's a cornerstone of energy efficiency, comfort, and durability. While many builders focus on insulation and materials, airtight construction ensures those investments actually deliver results. Let’s explore why airtightness is critical and what happens when it’s overlooked.

The Basics: What is Airtightness?

Airtightness refers to how well a building envelope prevents uncontrolled air exchange between indoors and outdoors. This means eliminating gaps, cracks, and leaks where air can sneak in or escape.

• In an airtight building, fresh air flows through a controlled ventilation system, ensuring proper air exchange without heat loss.
• In a leaky building, air drafts find their way through gaps, leading to heat loss, higher energy bills, and poor indoor air quality.

Why Does Airtightness Matter?

1. Energy Efficiency

Uncontrolled air leaks can significantly increase heating and cooling demands. Studies show that air leaks can add up to 20 kWh/m² per year to heating requirements, while energy-efficient homes typically need less than 15 kWh/m² per year.

An airtight envelope ensures:

• Lower energy bills by reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
• Optimal performance of ventilation systems with heat recovery, ensuring minimal energy waste.

2. Thermal Comfort

Drafts caused by air leaks create uncomfortable temperature variations inside a building. For true comfort:

• The indoor air temperature should stay consistent.
• Surrounding surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings) should have temperatures close to the indoor air temperature.

With an airtight building envelope, you’ll enjoy year-round comfort, no matter the weather.

The Hidden Danger of Leaks: Structural Damage

Air leaks don’t just waste energy—they can also harm your building. When warm, moist indoor air escapes through cracks into colder areas, it condenses into water. This moisture creates:

• Mold growth, which weakens materials and reduces air quality.
• Deterioration of insulation, leading to even greater energy loss.
• Structural damage, as repeated cycles of moisture and condensation degrade the building’s longevity.

Contrary to the myth of “breathing buildings,” the key to a healthy structure is airtightness combined with controlled ventilation to remove excess humidity.

Health Benefits of Airtight Construction

Leaky buildings allow external pollutants—like pollen, mold spores, and chemicals—to infiltrate your home, which can lead to allergies and other health issues. Airtight buildings paired with ventilation systems:

• Maintain a consistent flow of oxygen-rich fresh air.
• Reduce the buildup of CO₂ and humidity, improving indoor air quality.

How to Achieve Airtightness

Getting airtightness right requires:

1. Planning: Ensure airtightness is integrated into the design phase of the project.
2. High-Quality Materials: Use durable tapes, membranes, and sealants that perform under various conditions.
3. Expert Execution: Airtightness relies on precise installation and coordination across all trades.
4. Testing: Conduct blower door tests to verify airtightness before project completion.

Blower door test: Testing the house for airtightness.

The Bigger Picture: Airtightness for the Future

With energy prices rising and sustainability taking center stage, airtight construction is no longer optional—it’s essential. By investing in airtight building solutions, you’ll reduce energy consumption, enhance comfort, and create healthier indoor spaces.

Ready to upgrade your airtightness? Contact us at Oskorp to learn more about our innovative sealing solutions. Let’s build better, together.

📧 Email: welcome@oskorp.com
📍 Website: www.oskorp.com