Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 22, 1999 02:51am | #1

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   TERRY,
   SPEND THE FEW EXTRA DOLLARS FOR THE TYVEK.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 22, 1999 03:07am | #2

   *Terry:Search the archives. This has been discussed several times.The folks who frequent this site are of mixed opinions about the value of housewrap. Some feel that builder's felt (tarpaper) is better. I feel that house wrap is superior.A point of little to no controversy here is that you need some kind of a rainscreen (a water resistant wrap) such as housewrap or builder's felt over the OSB and below the siding. OSB deteriorates when exposed to moisture on a prolonged basis. All siding that I know of is built to breath - which means that it can emit wind blown rain too. This is why your sheathing needs protection. Not sure how much you know about house wrap, but basically it's a draft stop that is designed to pass water vapor (allows the house to breath) but will not pass water droplets. There are basically 2 types of house wrap - fabric types like Tyvek and perforated poly materials like Typar. I feel that Tyvek is superior in performance.By the way, you say that you are going to use hardboard siding. I urge you to do a bit of research on this. A down side to hardboard siding is that it is high maintenance - it must be kept well protected (with paint) or else water will cause it to deteriorate. If you search the web, you will find record of several cases of litigation centered around hardboard siding. People saying that is defective because it deteriorates - which, in my opinion, is just because people didn't keep enough paint on it. Who what's siding that must be painted every 4 to 5 years? I just sold a house with hardboard siding and boy, am I happy. I used the http://www.altavista.com search engine and entered "+hardboard +siding +litigation and got a bunch of hits - try it!Look into Hardy plank type siding (cement board) or other alternatives.

2. 
   PRP | Sep 24, 1999 07:20am | #3

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   Terry: You need to put something, either paper or Tyvek, between the sheathing and clapboards.

   Recently, a close relative had a home built out of state and they asked me to look over the developer's base materials list. On this list they had no paper, felt, or Tyvek listed as a standard building material. I had them call the builder on this one and they confirmed my worst fear -- the homebuyers must REQUEST this AND at an extra charge. I can only assume this meant that in some instances there are homes in that development w/out a "moisture barrier." Undoubtedly these homes are getting primed for water damage as we speak.

1. 
   Michael_Roraback | Sep 25, 1999 05:29am | #4

   *i think that you should go with some type of vapor barrier. but i think that you should get rid of the osb and go with 5 ply 1/2 cdx. osb is crap!!!!

1. 
   Mad_Dog | Sep 25, 1999 06:32am | #5

   *Actually, OSB IS crap, but one can use it successfully for sheathing walls. In my opinion, this is a good money saving measure, allowing you to use higher quality materials for things that matter more.Would love to return to the days of cheap plywood though.Dogx

1. 
   Frank_LaPiana | Sep 25, 1999 07:34am | #6

   *Actually I read an analysis somewhere (some web link long forgotten...).OSB is better than plywood in a number of areas. Less voids, higher deflection strength, etc. If falls right down when exposed to moisture however - swells up.Given a choice I'd never use OSB, either exterior or interior.

1. 
   lumberjack_in_wisconsin | Sep 26, 1999 07:58am | #7

   *I've read all the pros and cons to housewrap, but do not see where 1" styrofoam is considered. In the northern climates it's the only answer to prevent moisture from condensing within the 6" cavity. You do need to tape joints, and besides its cheaper than osb and stable in price. Dow calls a 2 x 4 wall with 1" foam "the intelligent wall" same r-value as 2 x 6 with osb. please comment

2. 
   Garth_Hulley | Sep 26, 1999 05:29pm | #8

   *TerryIf I am not mistaken, your local installation procedure is to place the exterior finish siding directly on top of the OSB or plywood sheathing with an optional layer of Tyvek or equivalent placed between the two materials.Tyvek will indeed shed water drops, but if water infiltrates through a finish siding that is directly touching the Tyvek, the water vapor will move through the Tyvek into the sheathing causing the sheathing to become wet. This of course leads to problems of moisture damage.Where I live, in Quebec, Canada, we always install finish siding on 1 x 3 furring strips, 16 inch oc. This leaves a 3/4 inch space between the siding and the Tyvek. This acts the same way as the air space between brick veneer and the sheathing. Any moisture infiltration will not pass through the Tyvek, but will be vented. In Quebec, where the weather extremes run from 90 degree humid summers to -30 degree winters, this technique seems to prevent moisture problems with the ensuing rot.

3. 
   Guest_ | Sep 27, 1999 05:33am | #9

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   There was mention of OSB - seems like a lot of folks don't like it. I personally prefer plywood, preferably fir if the client can afford it. However, I have to note that when I bought my used pick-up truck 3 years ago, it had a piece of OSB on the bed. The truck sits out in all kinds of weather - hurricanes, sleet, snow and heavy rain and in 3 years the OSB is just fine. It's a little weathered in appearance but it is solid and intact. I am very surprised at its performance and am tempted to use it in selected applications.

4. 
   Mark_Grochowski | Sep 27, 1999 08:50pm | #10

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   Is That you Jack in WestBend???
   Reply to [email protected]

1. 
   CharlesM_ | Oct 03, 1999 08:24pm | #11

   *I am faced with the same dilemma of choosing to go withor without tyvek. My decision needs to be made by this coming Monday. My choice (at this time) is NOT to go withit. My builder does not use it despite everyone else aroundhere who does. I do not have much confidence in the correctinstallation of this material by the local construction labor workforce. I believe that incorrect installation willpose disasterous problems in the future. I have read many valid arguments not to apply siding directly in contact with tyvek. There are a lot of old houses in my current neighborhood with no type of housewrap and the underlying sheathing and framing are in solid condition.......just my two cents

5. 
   Guest_ | Oct 03, 1999 11:29pm | #12

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   Charles,

   I would use 15 pound felt paper...The builder should be able to add it for little extra as it goes up very quick and is very inexpensive...And it will definitely protect your framing along with doing no harm to your siding...This is all my opinion only and is not to be used in a lawsuit please....

   near the stream,

   j

6. 
   CharlesM_ | Oct 04, 1999 03:35am | #13

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   Just returned from the Southern Ideal Home Show
   in Charlotte NC and spoke with a couple of guys
   at the booths who used to be General Contractors.
   They recommend a layer of something to aid in
   protecting against condensation buildup inside the
   wall. They mentioned tyvek but do not know how it would perform in this climate as it is still new relative to the northern part of USA and debate is still raging on its merits. My conclusion is to go with the old standby felt paper used around here on many (not all) older homes.....Lawsuit? Everyone knows most money goes to lawyers and what is left over will not pay for the repairs. Besides I ain't even got time to bleed.

7. 
   Terry_Tracy | Oct 04, 1999 03:35am | #14

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   I'm building a house ,it has 2x6 exterior walls that I have sheathed with 7/16OSB. I'm putting hardboard siding for the exterior.My question is do Ineed to put something such as a housewrap between the two materials. By the way I"m in Oklahoma if weather is a varible. Thanks Terry