INFLUENCE OF SHEATHING MEMBRANE AND VAPOUR BARRIER ON HYGROTHERMAL RESPONSE OF STUCCO WALLS

摘要

This paper revisits the role and effectiveness of sheathing membrane and vapour barrier on the moisture response of stucco-clad wood frame walls in Canadian climatic conditions. The use of IRC's advanced hygrothermal model hygIRC has been made for this purpose. Selected and pertinent results presented in this paper from the simulation outputs will help building design practitioners to gain some rational insight into the process of selecting appropriate sheathing membranes and vapour barriers when specifying construction projects. This study particularly shows that, unlike sheathing membrane, vapour barrier design needs to be location/weather specific.