Building Envelope FAQ

For all other questions, please contact us.

How does it work?
AeroBarrier is an interior applied air sealing system that seals all building envelope leaks up to 1/2″. The waterborne acrylic sealant is applied by pressuring a targeted building area, then spraying the aerosolized sealant into the pressurized space. The sealant is self-guided to the edges of visible and invisible leaks creating a seal, not by packing the gap but by accumulating across the surface of leaks. Designed to deposit in leaks and not on vertical surfaces, the sealant is applied within 60-90 minutes and dries before system cleanup is complete, allowing construction to resume shortly after the process is complete with little to no impact on standard construction schedules. The system measures the envelope leakage in real-time, enabling the system to dial-in specific requirements for air leakage and guarantee the results.
Is it safe to breathe during application?
No. During application, if a technician has to enter the space while it is being sealed, they wear personal protective equipment (PPE). After the sealing is complete, the area is safe to enter without protective gear within 20 to 30 minutes.
What's in the stuff being sprayed?
The AeroBarrier sealant is based on a waterborne acrylic that has been used as a fluid-applied permeable air barrier for many years. The sealant is GREENGUARD Gold certified and has been tested according to various ASTM standards and NFPA 285, for fire spread, smoke production, adhesion, antifungal properties, tensile strength, etc..
The sealant is low VOC and has no off-gassing.
Is the sealant safe to use inside the home?
Yes, the AeroBarrier sealant is GreenGuard Gold Certified, meaning that it’s not only safe to be used inside a home, but it meets the stricter certification requirements for use in schools and healthcare facilities as well.
How long does it take to apply?
The entire AeroBarrier process, from setup to completion, takes approximately 4-hours for a typical single-family home. When targeting reduced envelope leakage levels of Passive House or ZERH, additional time may be required.
How much does it cost?

Cost will depend on the construction phase and targeted air tightness levels. Once we have your job specifications, we provide a written quote within 24 hours. Schedule a time to speak with an AeroBarrier representative here.

What size leaks will it seal?
AeroBarrier seals holes as large as ½”, and as tiny as a human hair. Aerosol sealing is extremely effective at sealing narrow gaps and extremely small holes that are typically not cost-effective or are missed during manual sealing.
How is leakage measured?
The AeroBarrier system uses a standard blower door to measure envelope leakage during the process. The blower door is calibrated to meet ASTM Standard E779, E1554, CGSB-149.10-M86, EN 13829, ATTMA Technical Standard 1, NFPA 2001, RESNET and USACE.
How long after the sealing process can work resume in the space?
The area needs to be aired out for 30 minutes after the sealing is complete. This is done by opening doors and windows while running the fan. But work can resume in the space as soon as the sealing equipment is removed and 30 min has passed.
At what stage of construction is AeroBarrier applied?
AeroBarrier may be applied at any time between rough-in and prior to occupancy. Although, the ideal time to apply AeroBarrier is rough-in or post-drywall. Other factors that effect install is build process and climate zone.
How long will it last?

Third-party lab testing reveals AeroBarrier withstands a simulated 50-year durability test, with little or no seal degradation. Click here to see the durability test results.

What surfaces need to be protected?
If AeroBarrier is applied at rough-in or right after drywall is installed, there in very minimal preparation required. Vertical surfaces like walls and windows require no covering. All designed openings, such as ducts, vents and plumbing, need to be covered prior to sealing. All finished horizontal surfaces need to be covered.
Can the sealing be performed in cold weather?
The AeroBarrier process requires temperature control and pressurizing the areas to be sealed. Ideal conditions is an outdoor temperature of ≥ 4˚C. Sealing can be done below 4˚C but may require additional steps for the preparation.
Where is AeroBarrier available?
We service all of Vancouver Island.

Aeroseal Duct Sealing FAQ

For all other questions, please contact us.

What size of holes can be sealed using the Aeroseal air duct sealing process?

Holes and cracks up to 5/8 inch wide can be completely sealed.

What does the Air Duct Diagnostic and Inspection tell me?

Inspection discovers any obvious break in the duct work and, as the initial step of the sealing process, the Aeroseal system will establish an exact amount of leakage in the duct system. Of course, many people already know that a room or two in their house doesn’t get good air circulation because they can feel it. Or they already know that their energy bill is high because they see it. The diagnostic measurement provides a scientifically valid means to understand the performance of your air duct system.

What are the estimated savings

Some homeowners have saved up to 40 percent on their energy bill. Naturally, exact savings are difficult to precisely estimate since they depend on a multitude of variables such as your weather, house condition and design, your heating and air conditioning system, system usage – as well as other factors like energy prices.

In a nutshell, how does an Aeroseal air duct seal work?

Aeroseal duct sealing works in the following ways:

  • Preseal test to measure the leakage as a baseline for measuring progress.
  • Block off the registers with foam or plastic.
  • Inject an UL tested and approved aerosol into the duct system.
  • Since the air has no place to go except out through the leaks (the registers are blocked), the sealant material is deposited precisely at the air duct holes or cracks where leakage occurs.
  • A computer and sensors are used to measure and control the progress. The technology is patented from the University of California and the process is endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Postseal test to measure improvements.
  • Complete report and certificate printed on the spot to provide a record of improvements.
Does the air duct sealing material become brittle?

The vinyl sealing material remains rubbery, never cracking.

How long will the air duct sealing material last?

The sealing material has a 10 year warranty and an expected lifespan of over 40 years

Do air ducts need to be cleaned before air duct sealing?

It’s likely that the holes and cracks in the ductwork have allowed dust and other particulate matter to enter the system. If you are experiencing extensive levels of household dust, this might be the reason. In most instances, duct cleaning is not found to be required prior to Aeroseal sealing. Your Aeroseal contractor can advise whether it will be necessary to clean your ductwork prior to sealing.

Can ducts be cleaned after Aerosealing?

Ducts of all types can be cleaned after Aerosealing.

What if my ducts are hidden from view?

Unlike other sealing methods, Aeroseal can seal ducts that are hidden. Aeroseal can seal all types of ducts.

Does the sealant coat the inside of the ductwork?

The sealant only sticks to the holes in the air duct without coating the rest of the duct.

Is the sealing material used by the Aeroseal air duct sealing system safe?

The sealant material consists of a water–based solution (65 percent water) prior to application. The dried sealant material primarily contains two chemicals, vinyl acetate polymer (VAP) and 2–ethyl–1 hexanol (2E1H). The vast majority of what is left in the duct system is VAP, which has been used in water–based paints, adhesives, and hair spray. VAP has been used in chewing gum and baby pacifiers, and has no OSHA Exposure Limit. 2E1H is a common industrial solvent and is not considered toxic by OSHA. A review of the literature showed no ill effects after long–term exposure to concentrations of 200 ppm. The largest concentration of 2E1H measured in test houses was 1 ppb (200,000 times smaller), during Aeroseal injection. The sealant is UL–listed for smoke generation and flame spread (UL 723 0,0), and additional testing by UL showed no signs of mold growth or erosion.

Does the sealant leave an odor?

At the time of application there is a very mild odor, similar to that of craft glue. However, that dissipates within a few hours. The Aeroseal air duct sealing process leaves no lingering odor, and since the material does not put off gas over time, there will be no odor for the life of the product.

Will it harm my electronics? Pets? Artwork?

No. Our technicians are trained to protect all sensitive objects in the home.

If the rooms of my home have inconsistent temperatures, can Aeroseal improve the performance of my heating and A/C system(s)?

The Aeroseal sealing system can help improve the comfort of your home by reducing the difference in temperature levels throughout your home.

Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system help reduce my utility bills?

Some homeowners have saved up to 40 percent of their energy bills after having the Aeroseal air duct sealing system seal their central air duct system. A typical homeowner should expect to see measurable reduction in energy use for heating and cooling.

Can the Aeroseal air duct sealing system reduce the amount of dust in my home?

Ductwork runs through attics, crawlspaces, basements, garages, and walls. Leaking return air ducts pull in dust and other indoor air pollutants and sends them to the central heating and cooling system. From there they sent to the living areas of your home. The Aeroseal air duct sealing system can reduce the amount of leakage by as much as 90 percent, reducing dust and other indoor air pollutants from the conditioned air in your home.

Get Started

Call or fill out the form for more information about AeroBarrier and if is a good fit for your project.

1 (236) 700-4475

Based in Comox and Victoria, we serve all of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and parts of the Sunshine Coast.

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