Gaskets for low-energy houses

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Sol. Age; (United States)

OSTI ID:6978024

Harr, D

New materials and techniques make it easier to build today's tight, energy-efficient homes. One system that has won many converts recently is the airtight drywall approach (ADA). ADA relies heavily on the use of foam gasketing. In the ADA building system, nearly all joints--sill to foundation, band joist, wall plate to subfloor, and drywall to frame-are gasketed with foam tapes. The combination of gaskets, drywall, and caulk creates an airtight envelope. Foam gasketing tape is well suited from many of these joints because it is clean, economical, and easy to apply. The right gasket will maintain the seal even if the joint moves, and won't squeeze out of the joint under compression. Caulk, on the other hand, is messy, hard to apply, and squeezes out of the joint under compression. Saturated urethanes are elastic sealants that always recover, even after being completely compressed. Some saturated urethanes recover faster than others, depending on what saturant is used, but all exert a force to recover because they are urethanes. In the construction industry, where gaskets are likely to be buried permanently within the framework, saturated urethane foam gaskets really make sense.

• OSTI ID: 6978024
• Journal Information: Sol. Age; (United States), Journal Name: Sol. Age; (United States) Vol. 11:5; ISSN SOAGD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
BUILDINGS
CARBAMATES
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HOUSES
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SEALING MATERIALS
URETHANE
WALLS