This post sponsored by Boral Bricks.

On June 21 the summer solstice occurred, marking the beginning of summer for the Northern Hemisphere. In the Atlanta area, the beginning of summer not only means longer days, festivals and time at the pool, but also humidity interchanged with dryness. These climate changes can cause an increase in wall moisture, which takes a toll on your home.

To better understand which wall assemblies perform best, and remain dry, in mixed-humid climates, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Products Laboratory and the Brick Industry Association to conduct a year-long field moisture study. The study examined eight popular and commonly used sidings, which include: Vinyl Sided Wall, Stucco Clad Wall with One Layer of Felt, Stucco Clad Wall with Two Layers of Felt, Stucco Clad Wall with Vented Cladding, Stucco Wall with Plywood Sheathing, Wall Clad with Manufactured Stone, Fiber Cement Siding Wall, and finally Brick Veneer.

Throughout the 12-month testing period, 44 sensors designed to detect and analyze moisture content, temperature, and relative humidity were attached to the wood framing or sheathing in various locations on each sample. The moisture that was recorded included natural elements like precipitation and wind driven rain, as well outdoor and indoor temperatures and humidity. The 44 sensors were dispersed on the sampled walls to take into account varied temperatures –– increased coolness closer to the ground or excess warmth near the roof. To ensure accuracy, each sensor on each wall transmitted its readings every 30 minutes during the testing period.

At the end of the testing period it was clear that of all the assemblies tested the brick veneer wall assemblies were the most consistently dry. This is because typical brick veneer construction contains a nominal one-inch air space behind the brick. The results of the study proved that such construction consistently produced a wood stud wall cavity with lower humidity. The one-inch air space can allow for rapid drying, inhibiting the growth of bacteria that damp wood can promote. Additionally darker claddings, like brick, maintained the highest wood stud wall cavity temperature. Because lower humidity can inhibit mold development, brick veneer wall assemblies meet the “Conditions Necessary to Minimize Mold Growth” of ASHRAE Standard 160.

No matter where homeowners live, brick wall assemblies, like those offered by Boral Building Products, can promote dryness that helps maintain the structural integrity of a beautiful home. Boral has five locations across Metro Atlanta. Visit www.boralbricks.com and look for the “Boral Building Products” navigation button or call 678-625-4051 for more information.