Air Barrier Embodied Carbon: A Critical Review

The session will start with a review of embodied carbon impacts applied to air barriers. This will include a comparison of published air barrier embodied carbon values, varying assessment methodologies, and their limitations. A recommended approach of evaluating embodied carbon impacts based on clear field and linear/point impacts similar to modern thermal performance analysis will be presented. The impacts of this approach will be illustrated using example building envelope assemblies. A number of common project air barrier considerations will be discussed including: the use of membranes under exterior spray foam applications, the use of liquid applied air barriers on masonry when applying interior fibrous insulation, and the use of loose sheet vs liquid applied or self-adhered air barriers. This session will be of interest to a range of participants: manufacturer’s will be interested in the review of environmental product declarations (EPDs) and how it may affect their systems; professionals will be interested in the insights and approaches offered and application to their practices in selecting systems and reporting embodied carbon impacts. The session be a great targeted introduction for contractors and others in the industry with an interest in embodied carbon applications to their field of work.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the embodied carbon impact stage for air barrier
2.  Determine Clear Field vs Linear Impacts
3. Illustrate the impact of air barrier on the embodied carbon of building envelope assemblies
4. Identify the impacts of common air barrier strategy selections

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Tristan Rouse, M.Bsc, Building Enclosure Labs Inc. (BELi)

Tristan Rouse is a Senior Project Manager in Building Science at Building Enclosure Labs Inc. (BELi), specializing in enclosure design, hygrothermal assessment, airtightness testing, and low-carbon retrofit strategies. With experience in consulting, field investigations and testing, and embodied carbon analysis, he has contributed to projects across residential, commercial, institutional, and heritage sectors. Tristan has led airtightness workshops for Enbridge and Sustainable Buildings Canada and served as a seasonal lecturer at George Brown College, teaching heat, air, and moisture control.