Vapour-tight layer and its effect on surface temperatures of curtain walling

Abstract

The primary function of a vapour-tight layer is to reduce or prevent the spread of humidity from the interior to other layers of the surrounding structures. This would otherwise result in condensation of (water) vapour due to a drop in temperature. In some cases, the behaviour of real structures differs from the structure modelled using a computational programme. This paper deals with the factors that can affect the features of a structure, specifically the internal and external surface temperature of curtain walling. The heat reflection effect of a vapour-tight layer was investigated on a model panel of curtain walling. An inadequate surface temperature can have a negative impact in that it promotes a biotic attack. This results in surface degradation which affects the continuous layers in the adjacent structures.