Apartment Re-skinning
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The harshness of the Canadian climate is taking it's toll on apartments built in the 1960s and 1970s. As building envelopes deteriorate via brick spalling (the flaking to the exterior of a brick face from freeze/thaw cycles) owners report less interest in their buildings due to loss of curb appeal and changing demographics.
An alternative to re-bricking or stucco is a pressure equalized, ventilated rainscreen system. This is now becoming more popular in new builds in Canada. It is a system that is very common in Europe, so is proven. And it is simple.
For the purposes of apartment building reskinning, the system, from the inside out would be
- Brick: leave it or give it some structure with cement
- A layer of insulation is optional. This is a great time to make the building more energy efficient. However, it can also be done later.
- A membrane such as AirOutshield from SRP to keep moisture out of the wall, but allow the wall to breath
- Light weight galvanized steel girt structure
- A cavity for ventilation and pressure equalization.
- Fibre cement panel, like SuperPanel or Eternit.