June 24, 2022
Cassandra Gillespie

Zero Air Leakage: That's the goal

Moisture is the enemy of durability

We used Intello as our air/vapor barrier between the conditioned space and the garage at the Beacon Hill Passive House.


The barrier is air tight but vapor open, meaning it allows moisture to escape.


By allowing the moisture to escape we reduce the likelihood of it getting trapped in the wall assembly and creating mold. By using Intello here we were able to keep a continuous air barrier over the entire conditioned space of the home. We carefully taped and sealed every opening of the barrier to allow for as little air leakage as possible.

More on the blog

Construction worker in orange shirt and cap hammering wood near a road closed sign.
By Cassandra Gillespie October 9, 2025
The Kala team has begun framing the high-performance custom home at 4800 State Line. See how foundation details, insulation, and expert craftsmanship bring this luxury home to life.
Modern home exterior with wood siding, black roof, deck, and outdoor seating.
By Cassandra Gillespie September 10, 2025
Though they enjoyed living in a house in the historic Brookside neighborhood, Kyle and Elizabeth decided they wanted to build a new home that used high-performance features to deliver better durability, health, sustainability, and comfort.
Steel bar set in foundation footings with capillary break applied to footings
By Cassandra Gillespie July 8, 2025
The main purpose of building code is to ensure a home doesn't burn down, fall down, or suffer catastrophic failure to its main systems - not to ensure durability.