Mold resistant exterior wall assembly

Abstract

A mold resistant exterior wall assembly incorporating a steel stud frame with an interior gypsum wall product attached to the interior of the frame and a mold resistant exterior gypsum wall product attached to the exterior of the frame forming a cavity therebetween. The joints of the exterior gypsum wall product are taped and the entire surface of the exterior gypsum wall product is coated with a liquid applied elastomeric (greater than 25% elongation) air / water barrier and vapor retarder / barrier. Once the elastomeric liquid is applied and set, rigid foam plastic insulation is applied. Exterior veneer is applied a predetermined distance from the rigid foam plastic insulation.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 563,226 filed Apr. 19, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] Applicant's invention relates to an exterior wall assembly for use in residential and commercial construction. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mold, mildew and fungus resistant insulated steel stud frame exterior wall assembly. [0004] 2. Background Information [0005] Nowadays, the public has become increasing aware of the indoor air quality dangers posed by mold, mildew and fungus. Too much mold, mildew, or fungus can affect health and damage or destroy building materials. Molds, mildew, and fungus are decomposers of dead organic material, such as leaves and wood. Since mold, mildew, and fungus decompose dead organic matter, they can also grow on paper facing on gypsum board (drywall) and other materials made from wood. Mold, mildew, and fungus can also digest some synthetic materials...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Too much mold, mildew, or fungus can affect health and damage or destroy building materials.

While mold, mildew, and fungus cannot get nutrients from inorganic material such as concrete, glass and metal, they can grow on the dirt present on these surfaces.

Building a structure with steel studs is generally less energy efficient than building with wood because metal transfers heat and cold much more readily than wood.

The present inventor found that a significant number of mold, mildew, and fungus problems are due to the use of inappropriate building materials or the treatment of a single building component as a complete system in steel stud construction.

No one has yet developed a wall system that will solve these mold, mildew, and fungus problems that are associated with steel stud construction.

Traditional tar paper and asphalt based dampproofing do not perform this function nor are they elastic enough (less than 1% elongation) to accommodate building movement.

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