Air Tightness

Why Build Air Tight?


Air tightness is critical to building performance in new builds, and is mandated for passivhaus. However, at present (2024), it is not mandated within the structure of building regulations. This will change when the Scottish passivhaus standard comes into effect in ~2028, and I assume at some point thereafter in england. However, 'future homes' in england sadly (and somewhat ridiculously) does not attempt to mandate for air tightness. Maybe they meant future to 1990...


HOW TO BUILD AIR TIGHT?


There are two ways, and schools of thought, as to how/where to make  building air tight - either on the internal or on the external face of the building. Externally is what is most common in the USA. And internally is more common here in Scotland, and I think elsewhere in Northern Europe. 


Air tightness can be acheived by a number of different methods and materials, but the most 


Air tightness can also be theoretically achieved by taping up PIR insulation which may be present on the internal face of the building. However