Fluid-Applied Building Envelope
Fluid-Applied Air & Water Barriers
A continuous membrane over the sheathing, with none of the laps and seams of conventional house wrap. For custom homes and projects across the Flathead.
What it is
A coating rolled or sprayed onto the exterior sheathing that cures into one continuous membrane, working as both the air barrier and the water barrier for the wall. It goes over sheathing, CMU, and precast concrete, behind siding, stone, or any other cladding.
Why fluid-applied
House wrap goes on in sheets, and every lap and taped seam is a joint to detail and maintain. A fluid-applied barrier goes on seamless, seals around fasteners and openings, and flexes with the building. Performance comes down to the prep and detailing at windows, doors, penetrations, and terminations, which is where we spend the time.
Our Preferred System
PROSOCO R-GUARD® Cat 5™
Cat 5 goes on directly over the exterior sheathing and cures into one continuous air and water barrier around the structure: no seams, no laps. If it's ever damaged, it can be repaired and recoated in place.
Cat 5 is our preferred system for most projects, but Ridgeline installs other fluid-applied air and water barriers when a project calls for it.
Why Cat 5
Self-Seals Around Fasteners
Closes up around the nails, screws, and staples driven through the membrane.
Bonds on Damp Substrates
Adheres and cures on damp sheathing, so weather delays don't stall the envelope.
Seamless & Continuous
One membrane over the wall, with no laps or taped joints to detail.
Breathable
Lets the substrate dry to the outside instead of trapping moisture in the wall.
PROSOCO describes Cat 5 as a spray- or roller-applied seamless elastomeric air and water barrier for exterior sheathing, CMU, and precast concrete, tested against air and water penetration under conditions including 155-mph Category 5 hurricane winds. Those are the manufacturer's numbers, not a Ridgeline warranty. Reference: prosoco.com/product/cat-5
Alternate Systems
Other systems available
Ridgeline installs a range of fluid-applied air and water barriers, selected to fit project requirements and budget. Systems we're comfortable installing include:
- Tremco ExoAir 230
- Polyguard Blue Barrier Liquid Wrap 2300
- Carlisle Barritech NP-LT