19 November 2023
Building in coastal environments presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to corrosion control. Coastal construction is a battle against nature, where metal, moisture, and salt collide to create a perfect storm for corrosion. In this blog, we explore how weather resistive membranes can protect steel framing systems and extend the lifespan of your buildings.
The solution? An effective corrosion prevention strategy that starts from the construction phase and continues throughout the building’s lifespan.
Preventing corrosion begins with using the right materials and strategies:
A comprehensive overview of corrosion causes, avoidance strategies, and best practices to ensure your project lasts the lifetime of the building.
Once construction is complete, long-term corrosion prevention hinges on a high-quality weather resistive membrane. Modern monolithic membranes are particularly effective for coastal environments due to their unique properties:
Unlike membranes with pores, monolithic membranes use diffusion to let water vapour pass through without allowing liquid water or air infiltration. Think of it as your building’s “breathable skin” – protective yet flexible.
These membranes also help manage condensation, a hidden but serious threat. When condensation forms on steel framing inside a wall cavity, it creates a highly corrosive environment, especially if salt was introduced during construction. Pairing a vapour-permeable membrane with a thoughtful design ensures that condensation stays outside the cavity.
Learn more about typical installation times and cost of our aluminium cladding for your next project.
Follow these best practices to protect steel framing systems in coastal areas:
When it comes to external insulation within a ventilated rainscreen cavity, one of the most common concerns is moisture. Learn more about how you can avoid this.
By combining water and air resistance with vapor permeability, weather-resistive membranes create a safe environment where metal components remain protected. The result? Steel framing systems that resist rust and corrosion, even in harsh coastal conditions.
At Sculptform, we’ve partnered with Proclima membranes to offer Velo Facades – a comprehensive cladding, membrane, and external insulation solution. Designed for coastal and challenging environments, Velo Facades delivers superior corrosion protection while enhancing energy efficiency and durability.
Learn more about Velo Facades and discover how this innovative system can protect your coastal projects for decades to come.