Using a silicone air and water resistive barrier can be particularly effective for extending the lifespan and performance of a building.

This is due to silicone's robust and durable qualities. These characteristics were demonstrated in a 30-year test we ran in 1983 to evaluate the long-term durability of a variety of sealant types and ascertain which performs best.  

After 30 years, silicone ranked higher than alternative chemistries for most of the criteria it was evaluated on, showing that they were frequently stronger, more flexible, and more resistant to extreme weather. This makes silicone AWBs a great choice for projects requiring long-term protection or buildings set against challenging environments.

Given the current sustainability trends and expectations, silicone products can be very valuable. They perform over long periods of time, helping to extend a building's lifespan and reduce the need for total renovation work.

A weather-resistant barrier, also known as an AWB (Air and Water-Resistive Barrier), is part of an exterior system that protects building materials from water ingress while enabling the building to ‘breathe’.

They form a membrane around the building envelope, ensuring that any water penetrating the exterior finish does not pass through. Water damage can lead to the growth of mildew, rot, and rust, which, over time, can seriously impact the performance and lifespan of a building.

There are three main types of Air & Water Resistive Barriers, each with their own characteristics and application methods:

Sheet Types

Sheet Type AWBs are designed to control air and water leaks. They are “peel and stick” membranes, making them self-adhesive and can be applied straight to the substrate to construct a physical barrier.

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Fluid Applied

As the name suggests, Fluid Applied AWBs are coatings painted, rolled, or sprayed onto the substrate to protect a building’s envelope and enhance its overall performance.

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Fluid Applied Vapor Permeable Air Barrier

There’s also the additional option of a Fluid Applied Vapor Permeable Air Barrier, like Elemax™ Air & Water Resistive Barrier Coating, which prohibits the passage of liquid water while allowing moisture vapor to pass through.

Protective glazing systems are made to withstand loads and absorb / dissipate impact energy. To do this effectively, all the components need to be carefully chosen, and need to work together as part of a unified system. Systems are only as strong as their weakest part.

This means carefully choosing the right components, from the structural framing and anchors, through the laminated glass and security films, to the gaskets, sealants, foams and tapes that tie everything together.  

Sealant selection is integral to the success of any protective glazing system. It’s used to create a durable, airtight, and watertight barrier to protect window perimeters, openings, flashings, and critical junctions.

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The silicone sealants used in protective glazing systems need to keep the laminated glass in place under extreme loads. This isn’t just about pure ‘strength’ – it requires a combination of different mechanical properties.

Protective glazing sealants need to be like triathletes – they have to excel at three things:

• High tensile strength – to withstand the imposed loads.

• High tear strength – to resist tear propagation from cyclic loading.

• High elongation capacity – to accommodate movement and absorb/dissipate the energy from impact loads.

Within the marketplace, there are a number of different solutions sold as protective glazing sealants – but they all differ greatly in terms of their mechanical properties and real-world performance. When sealants fail, it is often due to an inability to flex sufficiently under impact loads.