Dallas Roofing Guide: Air Barriers & Energy Efficiency for Your Home

When you plan a new home or major renovation in North Texas, you’ll often hear the term air barrier. An air barrier is a continuous layer of materials—membranes, tapes or sprays—installed around the building’s envelope to keep outdoor air out and indoor air in.

It seals your walls and roof to control the movement of air through the structure. By reducing unwanted drafts and the moisture those drafts carry, an air barrier helps regulate temperature, humidity and energy consumption. In Dallas–Fort Worth’s hot summers and unpredictable winter cold snaps, a properly installed air barrier can mean the difference between a comfortable home with manageable utility bills and a house that always feels drafty and expensive to heat and cool. When roofing contractors mention installing an air barrier, they’re talking about a vital step in ensuring your home’s comfort, efficiency and durability.

When Is an Air Barrier Installed During Your North Texas Roofing Project?

When is an air barrier installed? For new construction and major remodels, the air barrier goes on after the framing is completed and the sheathing is installed but before the roof shingles or exterior cladding are applied.

1. First, your builder will inspect the sheathing to ensure joints are tight and any gaps or penetrations are filled.

2. Then the crew applies the air barrier materials—often a self-adhered membrane or liquid-applied coating—directly to the sheathing. They tape seams, wrap around window and door openings, and seal penetrations such as plumbing vents and electrical conduits. This continuous membrane must connect with other control layers: it ties into the roof underlayment and the foundation seal so there is no gap where air can leak.

Building codes and manufacturers’ instructions stress that the membrane must remain in full contact with the sheathing and insulation.

3. After the air barrier is applied, the roof underlayment, flashing and shingles are installed on top.

In North Texas, where wind-driven rain and moisture-laden air can force their way through tiny cracks, getting this sequence right helps prevent condensation and mold within walls and attics.

Air Barrier Installation: Codes, Products & Best Practices

For professionals, air barrier design is part of building science. The International Code Council defines an air barrier as one or more materials joined together in a continuous manner to restrict or prevent the passage of air through the building’s thermal envelope. ASHRAE adds that it’s the combination of interconnected materials, assemblies and sealed joints that minimizes air leakage.

The air barrier isn’t the same thing as the water-resistive barrier or the vapor retarder, though the same product can sometimes serve multiple roles. In our climate, most builders use self‑adhered membranes or liquid-applied coatings that provide air and water protection while still allowing moisture vapor to escape so the wall can dry. These products are available from manufacturers like GAF and Owens Corning and are paired with compatible tapes and flashing.

The crew must follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions: surfaces should be clean and dry, membranes must be rolled onto the sheathing to ensure adhesion, and seams must be overlapped correctly. At roof-to-wall transitions, contractors integrate the air barrier with the roof underlayment so wind can’t push moist air into the attic. A continuous barrier reduces uncontrolled air leakage—which can account for a quarter to half of a building’s heating and cooling loads—and improves indoor air quality by keeping pollutants and allergens out.

How Arrington Roofing Ensures Energy Efficiency with Air Barriers

As a homeowner, you should expect your roofing contractor to understand the importance of a continuous air barrier. A quality contractor will show you where the barrier goes, explain what products they’re using and ensure all seams, corners and penetrations are sealed. Red flags include crews that skip taping joints, leave tears or holes in the membrane, or install the barrier out of sequence. Signs of a poor air barrier after construction include persistent drafts, high energy bills and condensation or mold inside walls. To protect your investment and your family’s comfort, make sure your roofing team follows best practices.

At Arrington Roofing, we treat your home as a system. Our team uses industry‑leading air barrier and underlayment products, installed according to manufacturer specifications, to ensure your North Texas home stays comfortable and energy efficient year‑round. Book a free roof and envelope inspection today to learn how a properly installed air barrier can lower your utility costs and extend the life of your roof.