Making the air barrier argument for tilt-up

For many years, designers and contractors have espoused tilt-up construction for providing a more airtight building envelope than competing wall assemblies, such as wood and metal stud wall, metal siding, and concrete and brick masonry. Now, code language may also be a supporting factor.
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Improving stucco durability using moist-curing

Observations of numerous building envelope failures in stucco (i.e. portland cement plaster) indicate it may lack durability when correct installation practices are not performed. One of the most common problems is cracked stucco and with the trend of using the material as a cladding, the situation will get worse.
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Ensuring moisture protection for manufactured stone

Failures of claddings like adhered masonry veneer–also known as manufactured stone–often stem from poor flashings, misapplied air and water-resistive barriers (WRBs), and limited drainage. Resulting problems related to moisture intrusion into the wall assembly’s dry zone are moist wall interiors, wet insulation, and rot in sheathing and framing.
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Wood construction and the International Building Code

In building code history, wood structures have been highly regulated. Experience gained from past fires contributed to what is still the basis of today’s modern building codes, which are traditionally slow to change, and therefore, retain limits and restrictions established in response to what occurred centuries ago.
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