Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 05, 1999 11:11pm | #1

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   I think the debate has generally been in regard to the merits of Tyvek and other wraps vs. felt. I cant recall anybody advocating siding of any kind directly over OSB but I may be wrong about that. Irregardless, I dont think its an acceptable building practice and I'd never do it myself. Maybe its a regional thing and others here are more familiar with the practice. This board covers alot of geography.

   JonC

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 06, 1999 02:13am | #2

   *James - quite a can of worms. What does the siding manufacturer suggest? What does your building department say? As JonC says, the debate rages on, here on this board, and I'm sure any other serious building board, debating the merits of felt vrs wrap. I recall an article in FHB a few years back where the author claimed to just seal the joints of the subsiding when walls were sheeted solid, so maybe that is what your builder has planned. At the bottom of this board there is a thread started by a crorchety old carpenter named George W. Carpenter about this very subject. And if you search the archives, you'll find many lively discussions. - jb

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 06, 1999 06:18am | #3

   *James,I don't want to get in on another long debate on the merits of "TYVEK", but your builder should install felt or some type of housewrap. I use "TYVEK and have done so for almost 20 yrs with no problems. I have gone back on houses I built to do additions, add doors, windows etc. and found the walls to be in as good shape as when we covered them up. I like "TYVEK" because of the protection it provides and the ease of installation. While we are covering old ground, Why are you considering a house covered with plastic?

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 06, 1999 07:19am | #4

   *James:Below are 2 excerpts from something I wrote earlier, but first, let me cut to the chase: If the prospective builder wants to apply vinyl siding directly over OSB - GET ANOTHER BUILDER! -------------------------Vinyl siding is not waterproof! If you look at the under edges of the siding panels you will see that they are vented. Most all lap siding breaths in a similar manner and therefore siding is only one factor in the building envelope equation. Further, vinyl siding is not always effective for protecting against the intrusion of wind driven rain. House wrap or tar paper act as a rain screen - that is, they prevent the passing of water droplets while allowing the house to breath, which includes the passing of vaporized water - which is good, as it prevents water from being trapped inside the wall - the wall can dry out. This is important as moisture can enter the wall from the home's interior, as well as the exterior......In addition, it is imperative that the house's sheathing is properly protected at all openings including windows and doors. OSB is very susceptible to degradation when exposed to water over a period of time. .....------------------------------------------------Good LuckMatt

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 06, 1999 08:11pm | #5

   *Having cut my construction teeth in California where stucco is the norm, I learned that the felt and proper flashings was the primary weather protection. Stucco, siding, etc. was secondary, served to protect the felt from degradation, and was decorative. Any system that depends on a single system for weatherproofing is destined to fail. With vinyl siding failure will occur around doors and windows.

2. 
   PRP | Aug 06, 1999 08:32pm | #6

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   You must use some type of barrier beneath Vinyl Siding. Buildiing Felt is the tried and true method but Tyvek will work when properly installed. For your Maryland climate, there should be no doubt that one or the other is demanded but it isn't usually required by codes. I've only seen builders doing what you stated in large speculative subdivisions. When I've asked building officials about this practice they've stated that it is not their concern how ugly the walls of these homes will undoubtedly wear into being.

3. 
   james_w_koziana | Aug 07, 1999 11:58pm | #7

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   We have just moved to Maryland and have started discussions with a builder. We have landed in the debate about house wrap (TYVEK) or not. We were told by the builder that he does not recommend a house wrap and he normally installs vinyl siding directly over the OSB. What should we be aware of?

4. 
   Guest_ | Aug 07, 1999 11:58pm | #8

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   Do not install vinyl directly over OSB. Vinyl siding is not a tight installation, wind driven rain will easily penetrate through the seams to the OSB.

   When you do your annual pressure washing to remove dirt, spider webs, etc, you'll ensure decay.

   Use some sort of a barrier between the vinyl and the OSB.