Choosing the right air barrier membrane for your wall assemblies is essential for controlling air leaks and ensuring the energy performance, comfort and durability of your buildings. With its SOPRASEAL line, SOPREMA offers reliable and proven solutions, whether you need a system with or without primer, vapour-permeable or non-permeable, bitumen- or acrylic-based.
No matter the complexity of your projects or the site conditions, our product line has a membrane that will meet your technical requirements while also being easy to install.
Here are some questions to ask to select the right membrane for your walls.
What Type of Wall Do I Have?
A wall is made up of various materials that work together to separate the interior and exterior environments of a building. Air barriers are generally divided into two categories: vapour-permeable and non-permeable. Depending on the type of walls, i.e. exterior insulated wall or hybrid insulated wall, different air barrier materials can be selected.
Exterior Insulated Wall Assemblies (Perfect Walls)
The advantage of this type of wall assembly is that all layers of the control plane, including insulation, are exterior to the structure. A more efficient positioning of the insulation helps reduce the effect of thermal bridging and ensures better comfort for the occupant as no insulation is placed in the cavity between the studs. The installation of an air/vapour barrier membrane, also called a non-permeable air barrier, such as SOPRASEAL STICK 1100 T or SOPRASEAL STICK AVB AT, is recommended in an exterior insulated wall assembly.
Hybrid Insulation Wall Assembly
In a hybrid insulated wall, insulating materials are added in the cavity between the studs, thereby shifting the dew point towards the inside. In this assembly, the functions of the vapour barrier and air barrier must be provided by two separate products. A vapour barrier is installed on the warm side of the insulation, while a vapour-permeable air barrier is placed outside of the structure. The installation of the SOPRASEAL STICK VP membrane is recommended when constructing this type of wall, as it provides protection against air leakage and water infiltration into the building envelope while allowing water vapour diffusion.
Which Technology Should I Choose: Bitumen- Or Acrylic-Based?
SOPREMA offers two types of technologies for its air barrier membranes, each with specific advantages.
Modified Bitumen-Based Membranes – SOPRASEAL STICK 1100 T
SOPREMA’s bitumen technology has proven its durability since 1908. In fact, most of SOPREMA’s waterproofing membranes are composed of SBS-modified bitumen and include a polyester, glass felt or composite reinforcement.
Water-repellent, resistant and durable, bitumen is a leading material for ensuring the waterproofing of buildings.
SOPREMA has a network of international research centres to continuously improve its bitumen technologies and meet the highest performance standards in the industry.
Benefits of elastomeric bitumen:
- Excellent elasticity and flexibility
- Reliable and robust joint waterproofing
- Durability
- Excellent self-sealing properties around nails, screws and clips
Acrylic-Based Membranes – SOPRASEAL STICK VP and SOPRASEAL STICK AVB AT
SOPREMA offers high-performance acrylic membranes that are easy to apply and well suited to construction site conditions.
Generally requiring no primer, these membranes allow for faster installation with less handling. Moreover, a single version of the product can be used in all seasons, so there is no need to choose between a summer or winter version.
Benefits of acrylic technology:
- Primer-free application in most cases
- Simplified team coordination, regardless of the season
- Installation possible over a wide temperature range
- Compatibility with a wide variety of substrates
Which Application Method Should I Choose: With or Without Primer?
SOPREMA offers two high-performance solutions for walls with continuous insulation (perfect wall): SOPRASEAL STICK 1100 T, which is used with primer and SOPRASEAL STICK AVB AT, which is generally applied without primer. Each membrane offers specific benefits depending on the requirements of the project and the installation conditions.
WITH PRIMER
- Offers superior adhesion on more irregular or porous substrates
- Provides maximum performance in difficult conditions (moisture, dust, etc.)
- Strengthens the cohesion of the complete system in combination with the other waterproofing components
WITHOUT PRIMER
- Allows significant time savings during installation
- Reduces the amount of materials to be handled and simplifies logistics on the construction site
- Lowers environmental stress from using solvents
Regardless of the membrane you choose, you will benefit from a high-performance product designed to ensure long-lasting and reliable airtightness.
SOPREMA Solutions
SOPRASEAL STICK VP
SOPRASEAL STICK VP is a self-adhesive vapour permeable and air barrier membrane with a trilaminated woven polypropylene surface. Its broad width and self-adhesive underface, protected by a silicone release film, make it easy to install. This product can be used on most construction surfaces, such as masonry, concrete, wood, and gypsum.
- Application temperature: -7 °C to 40 °C (19 °F to 104 °F)
- No primer required
- UV exposure up to 180 days
SOPRASEAL STICK 1100 T
SOPRASEAL STICK 1100 T is a self-adhesive air/vapour barrier membrane for walls composed of SBS-modified bitumen and a trilaminated woven polyethylene facer. It can also be used as masonry and as a through-wall flashing membrane as well as a waterproofing membrane at openings and transitions.
- Excellent adhesion to various substrates
- Ideal for spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation
- Self-sealing membrane ensuring continuous waterproofing
SOPRASEAL STICK AVB AT
SOPRASEAL STICK AVB AT is a self-adhesive air/vapour barrier membrane composed of an acrylic mass and a trilaminate woven polyethylene surface. Its unique acrylic-based formulation allows for quick application, without primer in most cases, and easy repositioning during installation. Thanks to its compatibility with sprayed insulation, it is ideal for projects where performance must go hand in hand with efficiency.
- Quick and easy installation with no primer required
- Repositionable membrane before complete curing
- Application possible from -18 °C to 45 °C (-0.4 °F to 113 °F)<
- Available in sizes from 10 cm to 92 cm (4 in to 36 in)
Getting Advice on Choosing the Right Membrane
Contact a SOPREMA expert to benefit from personalized support at each stage of your project. Our specialists are available to assist you in making informed and long-term decisions.
Download Our Wall Membrane Comparative Table