When construction began on the new Monarch at Waugh Chapel multifamily development in Gambrills, Maryland, protecting the building from the elements was a primary concern. A water- and air-tight wall assembly is vitally important for controlling issues such as mold growth, protecting indoor air quality and maximizing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Water can find its way into a wall in numerous ways, such as vapor diffusion and wind-driven rain. A high-performance weather barrier is an important tool in guarding against these elements.
Located in Maryland's Anne Arundel County, roughly midway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., the $45 million Monarch at Waugh Chapel development includes a 246-unit apartment building with an attached clubhouse, fitness center, courtyard pool, outdoor communal space and detached parking garages.
The project’s initial specification called for a commonly-used building wrap, but the installing subcontractor, RPM Construction, knew that not all commercial building wraps are created equal. Drawing on previous experience with a higher-performing option, the project’s weatherproofing contractor spearheaded a change in spec to the TYPAR® Weather Protection System.
RPM Construction installed the complete TYPAR Weather Protect System—consisting of TYPAR MetroWrap, flashing panels, straight Butyl Flashing, Flexible Flashing and construction tape—to create a water- and air-tight building envelope for Monarch at Waugh Chapel.
“We’ve been pushing TYPAR, and we were happy to realize the general contractor would be receptive to changing the spec,” said Rick Murphy, owner of RPM Construction. “I think they have multiple jobs coming where they will use TYPAR because Waugh Chapel turned out so well.”
RPM installed the complete TYPAR Weather Protect System consisting of TYPAR MetroWrap, flashing panels, straight Butyl Flashing, Flexible Flashing and construction tape—all designed to work together to create a water- and air-tight building envelope. Ben Gilstein, assistant project manager for general contractor Bozzuto Construction, said this project was the first time he had worked with TYPAR and he came away impressed with the product’s performance and ease of installation.
Because the development is four stories, the team needed a commercial-grade building wrap that could withstand high wind loads. TYPAR MetroWrap has a tear strength five times greater than other commercial building wraps, ensuring it would hold tight for the duration of the project. And because it is available in larger rolls, the installation crew was able to cover more square footage per pass without having to come down from the lift bucket.Â
In addition, TYPAR MetroWrap is rated for up to 12 months of UV light exposure without any degradation, so longer commercial project timelines weren’t an issue. Once installed, the TYPAR material boosts building energy efficiency by providing the right mix of air and water holdout, resisting surfactant damage and supporting healthy indoor air by preventing mold growth within the wall cavity. In multifamily developments such as this one, the building wrap also serves to separate conditioned air from any given unit to those adjacent to it.
“It’s just a heavier-duty product that really holds up to the elements,” Gilstein said. “In terms of commercial construction where you have a lot of moving parts, it’s certainly a pleasure to see a product that is durable, that can stand up to a construction site and is super easy to install.”
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