Advanced Building Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 98
Springvale, Maine 04083
Tel: (207) 490-2306
Toll-free: (800) 252-2306
Fax: (207) 490-2998
E-mail: info@advancedflashing.com

Mortairvent^® (LEED Points)

The distinctive look and durability of brick, stone, and stucco cladding systems have made them extremely popular in recent years. But they're not waterproof. Moisture will find its way into these wall systems by way of hairline cracks in the mortar joints, broken sealant joints, splashing from horizontal surfaces, such as the ground, and projecting horizontal surfaces, such as windowsills. Once this moisture penetrates the outer wall surface, it will become trapped in the wall system with nowhere to escape, creating the perfect environment for toxic mold growth. That's why Advanced Building Products has created mortairvent^® , a two-ply mortar deflection and ventilation system specifically designed for use with manufactured stone, stucco, EIFS, and brick applications.

Why Mortairvent?

Our innovative rainscreen technology equalizes the air-pressure within the wall system by creating a ventilation cavity between the weather resistant barrier (WRB) and the exterior wall. The polymer-core mesh creates the airspace while the filter fabric blocks mortar from seeping into the newly formed cavity while still allowing the moisture to drain, not remain, in the wall system. The constant draining and convective fashion ventilation greatly reduces the threat of toxic mold for generations to come.

Although these moisture issues are more common in areas with frequent freeze-thaw cycles that allow wind-driven rain to penetrate the mortar and collect in the wall, they are also found in areas with low rainfall and high humidity.

1. Exterior Surfaces such as stucco and EIFS will crack and peel unless damaged substrates are repaired. Moisture trapped behind manufactured stone could dislodge the stone due to various freeze thaw cycles.
2. Structural damage will take affect, which will cause an unsafe environment to work and live in.
3. Mold, mildew and rotting will begin to take place. Wet wood and gypsum products create a food source for mold to thrive in. This will eventually lead to Sick Building Syndrome.
   

The Importance Of Rainscreen Technology

What is a rainscreen? A rainscreen is a pressure-equalized airspace between the structural envelope and the exterior cladding that promotes drainage of moisture from the wall system. Rainscreen were designed to allow the moisture to "drain not remain". Since the difference in air pressure across the exterior cladding is a significant force causing the infiltration of air and water on windward facades, the equalization of this pressure neutralizes the forces that draw water into the assembly.

Manufactured 100% at our Geotextile Division, we recently re-designed Mortairvent^® to be manufactured from 45% recycled content qualifying it for LEED credits. We have also increased the compression strength of Mortairvent^® allowing for better ventilation and drainage compared to others on the market.

1. Install sidewall-sheathing material over the studs.
2. Apply a WRB (water resistive barrier) over the sheathing.
3. Install mortairvent^® after the windows and doors are properly installed and flashed.
4. Wrap the mortairvent^® by unrolling the product left to right and fasten with corrosion-resistant fasteners. Start at the base of the wall and work your way up.
5. Overlap each roll shingle style with the fabric side facing out. Make sure the 4" fabric flap is on the bottom of each roll so it can overlap the preceding roll shingle style. Do not overlap the rolls. Butt new rolls together when necessary.
6. Attach metal lath per the recommendation of the lathe manufacturer over the mortairvent^® product.
7. Apply scratch coat. When installing mortairvent^® at corner locations. Either cut the mortairvent^® at the corner, or butt up against corner trim boards.

Note: The air space in a rainscreen system needs to be a minimum of 3mm to provide the necessary capillary break. Anything less than 3-millimeters allows trapped moisture the ability to bridge the airspace. Advanced Building Products manufactures Mortairvent in both a 6mm or 10mm thickness to assure proper drainage for all applications.

Wall-Air™ (LEED Points)

Wall-Air is our recommended rainscreen system used when building with manufactured stone applications utilizing an exterior rated cementitious backer board. The difference between Wall-Air and Morairvent is the absence of a filter fabric. The Wall-Air is placed between the weather resistant barrier and exterior cementitious board to allow proper drainage and ventilation. Since there is no scratch coat to deal with, a filter fabric is not necessary with this application making Wall-Air the preferred rainscreen choice for this type of application.

Our Weep Screed is manufactured from PVC and used at the plate line or stem wall to provide a stucco stop. Often used with our mortairvent^® and Wall-Air^™, Weep Screed is designed to allow moisture to migrate down and shed away from the wall.