About MFC News

Myles F. Corcoran and his Team would like to share the best of what we’ve learned over the years about well constructed buildings and resolving construction disputes.

Please help us make this a “Construction Community” endeavor by sending us your feedback, comments, wisdom, and ideas for future issues. Call 831-476-4502 or email us at: mfcnews@mfcbuild.com.

What's New at MFC...

Our staff includes four experienced Inspector/Consultants to work with Myles, General Manager Lisa Ellis, and a quality Administrative staff for support.

Our veteran I/C’s have expertise in all phases of construction, and particularly, window installation. We hired them for their excellent work ethic, their integrity, their knowledge of construction, and their ability to think critically. This supports our Mission: MFC will find out the truth about buildings and answer the hard questions.

We have expanded, labeled, and categorized our CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) Research Library; our code section is one of the best in the Monterey Bay Area. We invite you to call and come in, check out books, and make use of this exceptional resource.

Quote of the Day

“Cooperate with the inevitable.” -Dale Carnegie

“In Construction, this means dealing with Planning and Building Departments, latent conditions discovered when remodeling, and that rain will delay a project during the winter.”

-Tom Baker

Building Tip

Weather Resistive Barriers are more than a code requirement. These materials prevent the intrusion of water into our homes, allow harmful water vapor to escape, and improve energy efficiency.

Improvements on traditional Weather Resistive Barriers have been struggling to make waves in our building community. At one point, the standard was such that, the general term for weather resistive barriers used in the field was the name of the brand most builders were using.

Now, builders have more options with other manufacturers in the market. The new products available are upgrades to the standard of two layers of 60-minute paper behind stucco. These products promote greater drainage of the incidental moisture found behind the stucco. Additionally, variations in the ability of the weather resistive barrier to withstand moisture intrusion and vapor permeability, allow for the product to be prescribed with consideration of the local climate of the project.

Furthermore, these products act as air barriers. To a certain degree, they limit the amount of unconditioned air to infiltrate the building. Properly installed, the weather resistive barrier reduces heating costs by preventing wind washing through insulation.

Simply including an off-the-shelf weather resistive barrier in the building envelope is no longer adequate. Care must be taken in the selection of the product, and greater care must be taken in the installation. Proper installation requires careful attention to detail, and an understanding of building sciences. Improper installation may result in leaks and higher energy bills.

The use of these products, in conjunction with a rain screen system, is highly recommended in close proximity to the ocean, and locations with high levels of rain and moisture.

Here are some samples of weather resistive barriers:

HardieWrap
http://www.jameshardie.com/builder/weatherbarrier.shtml

Dupont Tyvek
http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Weatherization/en_US/index.html

VaproShield
http://www.vaproshield.com/products/wallshield

Typar
http://www.typar.com/builder/products/index.html?bl=main-products&it=main-products

By Micah Rodler, Inspector/Consultant