The Air Barrier Association of America will host its annual Building Enclosure Conference May 5 and 6 in Minneapolis, bringing a focused program on air barrier systems and whole-building airtightness. Marketed as the only event dedicated exclusively to this scope, the ABAA Building Enclosure Conference targets designers, consultants, general contractors and specialty trades responsible for enclosure continuity.

For wall and ceiling contractors, the value is in execution. Air barrier performance hinges on continuity across transitions—gypsum sheathing joints, control joints, fenestration interfaces and roof-to-wall tie-ins. Expect sessions that address sequencing with cladding, compatibility between fluid-applied membranes and adjacent materials, and inspection protocols that reduce punch-list failures.

Airtightness targets are increasingly tied to energy codes and owner-driven performance metrics, raising risk exposure for interior trades when assemblies underperform. Contractors should look for guidance on substrate prep tolerances, fastener patterns affecting membrane integrity, and coordination with mechanical penetrations—common failure points that drive rework and delay enclosure dry-in.

Labor and productivity implications are also in play. Fluid-applied air barriers can accelerate schedules versus sheet systems, but require trained crews and strict QA/QC to avoid pinholes and thickness inconsistencies. Conference tracks aimed at subcontractors are expected to cover installation best practices, testing methods and documentation—critical for passing whole-building air leakage tests and avoiding backcharges.

As airtightness expectations tighten, contractors who understand interface detailing and verification requirements will be better positioned to protect margins and win enclosure scopes tied to high-performance buildings.

Watch for the association's Executive Director Laverne Dalgleish's upcoming feature in June's issue of Walls & Ceilings. 

For more information, visit abaaconference.com.