Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 18, 1999 09:36pm | #1

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   Good afternoon Sam,

   Is it worth the money? qualified yes.

   In areas that are prone to lots of rainy damp weather, most definitely. It does go a long way to protect the exterior of the house. The type of sheating you intend to install is also part of the equation. Sheating that is not prone to swelling from wet weather would not need as much protection as aspenite.

   It does make cheap insurance.

   Gabe

2. 
   Sam_Gaskins | Jun 19, 1999 02:27am | #2

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   Thanks Gabe.

   I'm building in Alabama with lakefront exposure. Its hot and humid, with occasional severe rainy weather. My builder has been has been quite skeptical about housewraps.

   This is my first visit to breaktime, I noticed that you answer alot of questions. Thanks for the help.

   Sam

3. 
   Guest_ | Jun 19, 1999 03:53am | #3

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   Sam,

   I'm not sold on the "house wrap" song. I think you should use it (Tyvek^TM) for it intended purpose, covering attic insulation, works great. I'm a building paper guy myself.

   Joseph Fusco

   View Image

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 19, 1999 04:12am | #4

   *There was an article about housewraps in a recent issue of FHB, and it wasn't all praise. Housewraps have been pushed upon the public by major advertising campaigns and their use has become expected by the home buyers. For many years red rosin (building paper) and 15 pound felt had been used with excellent results. The somewhat self sealing nature of felt kept me using it on walls where a roof intersected as added protection from the inevitable nail which works itself loose and becomes a conduit for water. A nail through a housewrap is just a puncture. When using housewraps I have always been adament about still using felt splines under exterior window and door casings. It forms a gasket type seal which you would never get from housewraps. After using housewraps for many years I can honestly say that depending on the type of siding I was using if I was building a house for myself I would use building paper or felt. I have been building and remodeling for over 25 years and I have torn off a lot of siding and windows and doors and I just have seen more water damage when housewraps have been used. And considering that housewraps are relatively new I find that to be quite significant.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 19, 1999 04:20am | #5

   *Joe and Rich,I'm a user of felt also, but I also watch others, on sites, who are not as careful and have all kinds of tears in the felt paper expecially at the windows and doors.Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 19, 1999 04:44am | #6

   *Gabe,

   Your right. I guess this is what we've both been saying for awhile, it's more the installation of the produce then the produce itself.

   Joseph FuscoView Image

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 19, 1999 05:44pm | #8

   *Check out FHB #118 p 48-50 and any articles in JLC by Paul Fisette.I was sucked in by Tyvec and other housewraps. They are too prone to installation and situational problems.If you sheathe your sidewalls with structural panels then air infiltration is rarly an issue and half of houswraps' climed benefit won't help you.As a secondary water intrustion barrier housewraps are likely to leak according to Fisette's research.Go for #15 or #30 tarpaper as a secondary water barrier. If it's cold out and you can't make the corner (in or out) without breaking felt then wrap the seam with a 6" strip of ice and water barrier.I used to shun the old timers who wouldn't give up tarpaper for housewraps when they came out. Now I wish I'd have maintained that practice (not that all old timer practices are still good building practice)Tarpaper = Piece of mind for me again.

4. 
   Sam_Gaskins | Jun 19, 1999 05:44pm | #7

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   Is housewrap, e.g. Tyvek,worth the cost, time and effort? Does the answer to this question depend on th climate and house location? Answers including more than a simple yes or no would be helpful.