Airtight membrane with taped/sealed joints

Continuous air barrier layer, critical when paired with mechanical ventilation.

Cost

Low

Upkeep

Occasional

Lifespan

Membrane itself: 30-50+ years if undisturbed and UV-protected; taped seams are the actual weak point and should be checked at any later penetration/renovation

Embodied carbon

Low

Space / material use

Low

Output timing

None

Skill to repair

Basic

Note: Cost, carbon and footprint are rated against the other options for this same need, not in absolute terms.

Inputs

none

Outputs

none

Sources

• Fiabitat (SCOP), 'L'etancheite a l'air a la loupe' (incl. Q4/n50 test norms)

Tutorials

• https://www.fiabitat.com/etancheite-a-lair-a-la-loupe/

What this page does not tell you

No sizing or quantities: how much a technique yields, and how much a household needs, both depend on the build and the people, so the catalogue compares options rather than dimensioning them. It carries no bill of materials and no build sequence, and it is written for an oceanic, clay-soil climate (Normandy, France). Regulatory notes are indicative and need confirming locally.