An increasing number of contractors either build or retrofit conditioned, well-sealed attic spaces. This creates comfortable environments and a consistent temperature throughout the home, but introduces a new challenge: managing moisture that comes from rising water vapor.
In a traditional install, ice and water shield products do not allow this moisture to escape because older homes typically have less insulation.
Benjamin Obdyke’s new VaporDry Self-Adhered roofing membrane looks to offer a solution to the moisture issue.
VaporDry is an vapor-permeable roofing membrane that is unlike the traditional vapor-closed underlayments that can shorten the life of a roof by trapping water vapor and contributing to rot and the failure of roof sheathing. The company says the VaporDry allows interior water vapor to migrate as warm air rises toward the roof.
Similar to Benjamin Obdyke’s other self-adhered barriers, VaporDry has a continuous acrylic adhesive that installers can easily adjust before activating the adhesive. The product self-adheres around roofing fasteners, and works in temperatures up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for all roofing types, including metal, composite, wood, and asphalt—with a pitch of 3:12 or greater.
The product is durable under foot traffic, is slip-resistant, and can be left exposed for 120 days.