Hi everybody,
I’d like to write something for the magazine about Huberwoods Zip System http://huberwood.com/main.aspx?pagename=zipsystemroofOverview wall and roof sheathing. We didn’t thorougly cover the product when it first came out, simply because we wanted to let it soak in a bit and see how people liked it.
I saw this topic discussed in a thread a week or so ago, but it died off…So, I’m wondering, who has experience with this product? What can you share? How does the cost compare? etc, etc.
Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
“Everybody wants to know what I’m on…
What I’m on? I’m on my bike, busting my
# 6 hours a day…
…What are you on?”
– Lance Armstrong
Replies
Greetings JFink,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
Rebump.
I saw the ZipSystem used once, on two homes being built last summer. The two hoimes were being built in St. Michaels, MD by the same builder -- but I can't remember his name.
Got me interested enough that I checked out their website - found out there were no dealers in my area. Sounds good on the site, but what do you expect.
I know - no help.
Jim
I've learned quite a bit about the product over the last few days. Pretty impressive, really. I think they're on to something.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
"Everybody wants to know what I’m on...
What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…
...What are you on?"
- Lance Armstrong
Dieselpig is using it now.. he was talking about it in another thread last niteMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I asked my salesman about it this spring. I was picking up some samples last week and noticed them in the sample room and asked about it again. They haven't sold one sheet of it yet.
The numbers I did on it in the spring made it a complete waste of money. There was no way to make it work.
The tape was the problem. It doubles the cost per sheet. I couldn't see how taping every seam was faster than Tyvek. All in all the consensus at my yard is that it's a good way to burn money in both labor and materials.
If they can make it cheaper or show how it outperforms housewrap or Deckarmor then maybe.
<< If they can make it cheaper or show how it outperforms housewrap or Deckarmor then maybe >>
Well, the zip wall panels are supposedly a perm rating of 8, that's nearly twice the best housewrap on the market. Plus, there's no chance of water getting stuck between the housewrap and the sheathing where it can't dry. Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
"Everybody wants to know what I’m on...
What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…
...What are you on?"
- Lance Armstrong
<< Dieselpig is using it now.. he was talking about it in another thread last nite >>
Thanks Mike, I spoke with Brian about it too. I think I'm going to go visit his job next week, if everything lines up schedule-wise.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
"Everybody wants to know what I’m on...
What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…
...What are you on?"
- Lance Armstrong
We are using it and I really like it. We just installed a bunk of zip wall and will be using zip roof in about two weeks. I am not sure about pricing for other folks, but it is a little more than OSB but Huber quailty and your space is done when you nail up your ply. The tape is really a break even proposition when you consider that your not buying flashing for your windows.
On the roof you do not have to wory about wind ripping off your paper and being a big guy I have had more than enough felt rip from under my feet. Plus the warranty is not bad.
Bruce
Thanks for the comments Hiker - I think the pricing in my area is about the same as yours. My lumber yard actually has a little comparison sheet that they update as the lumber prices change. Does a comparison between OSB/PLY/ADVANTECH/ZIP.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
"Everybody wants to know what I’m on...
What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…
...What are you on?"
- Lance Armstrong
I'm using it on my house. Here are some pics from yesterday. I like working with the product. The tape is easier to apply in the cold weather for some reason. Only disadvantage is that this is directional plywood so there might be a little more waste when it comes time to do the gables. I'm seeing this product starting to catch on in my area.
can you resize them into a dial up version please...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Sorry can't figure out how to resize them. Do you have any suggestions?
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=24441.1
get yurself a copy of irfanview.... http://www.irfanview.com
also do a search here for resising or irfanview...
narrow the search to exact words and look only in the photo folder
days worth of reading...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
>> get yurself a copy of irfanview.... http://www.irfanview.com <<
Silly Q: how do you say the name of that? er-fan-view? weird...
sounds good...
who's to argue...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I guess since it's freeware there wasn't any budget to think up a decent name. I used to use photoshop, but lost my copy in the last computer crash. I downloaded Irfanview and it has all the basic functionality that I need and has no learning curve. Sweeeeet!
Irfan is the name of the guy that wrote and owns the software...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I've been on 4 houses in the same county that used the zip system for the walls. First house was a year and a half ago. Some of the edges of panels in a bunk measured 5/8". The next houses didn't seem to have that problem.The builder said it added about 30% to the framing costs.Last house was turned down on the framing inspection... said it needed house wrap as well as wrap turned into the window and door openings???This was after 3 houses in the same jurisdiction passed.County was back pedalling because of over driven fasteners, and door and window manufacturer's installation specs.After repeated calls to Advantech, GC can get no back up literature or specs for inspections... but tech person says all fasteners should be taped over... now there's a cheap fix!Advantech subflooring is great, but most builders have stopped using the wall systems... and, I've never seen a roof system here. Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,
Winterlude by the telephone wire,
Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,
Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.
The moonlight reflects from the window
Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.
Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,
Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.
hmm, I didn't know it was directional. I'll have to look into that...Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
"Everybody wants to know what I’m on...
What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…
...What are you on?"
- Lance Armstrong
<<<<<hmm, I didn't know it was directional. I'll have to look into that...>>>>>
Justin Fink - FHB EditorialSorry about that. It was the end of a long day when I had posted. From what I've read about the product, it can be applied horizontal or vertically, so that leads me to believe that it does not have a strength axis. The point I was trying to make was that since the green side ( red for roofs) has to face out, you'll probably get more waste. Unlike plywood or osb where the sheets can be flipped either way.
"Unlike plywood or osb where the sheets can be flipped either way."
Not really. The grade stamps on ply and OSB should face in. All OSB has an outside and an inside. The outside of OSB will also have a rough texture. An easy way to spot a HO job is to see all the grade stamps on the outside. Don't be that guy.
I worked with a couple of guys that would put the rough side to the inside to "increase friction" and provide a higher rack value :-).
I've also heard that the smooth side is a water repellant coating. Seriously.
Last time I heard someone say that a few years ago, different guys, I asked them why you would put the side that has the nailing lines to the inside.
Long silence
;-)
I've also heard that the smooth side is a water repellant coating. Seriously.Tim, the first time I saw osb was in '82... I was sure the smooth side was the water repellent side... until we climbed out on that first run of roof sheathing... hoooo doggies... I told the contractor he'd better hope it didn't rain before we got it papered <G> Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,
Winterlude by the telephone wire,
Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,
Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.
The moonlight reflects from the window
Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.
Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,
Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.
Justin,
I used the Zip Roof panels a few months ago. Some of the advantages I found.
Structural rigidity. No need for clips.
Good weatherability (is that a word?) no edge swelling or delamination even before taping.
Easy seam taping-- 1 man job.
On the down side.
Only comes in 1/2"-- fine for my area, high wind no snow load. (Rep. said 5/8" was in the works)
Easy walking when clean (wet or dry) but 1 oz. of sawdust turns it into a skating rink.
Tapes expensive @ $33/rl takes about a case and a half to tape a 2500 sf house.
Tough getting the gun pressure just right so you don't overdrive. I had to go back and set a bunch of nails proud of flush. Better then overdriving IMO so I backed off on the pressure
Overall I liked the product and would use it again. I'm a 1 man show for the most part and being able to use 1/2" instead of 5/8"--20lbs. lighter a sheet- was a big help.
If you cut the hips in place you need a guy on a broom and an airhose to keep the sawdust off, or your going for a ride.
As stated earlier, the tape is expensive- $600 for tape compared to about $150 for felt. But I can tape by myself and its a big SNAFU if I try to run felt alone.
I used I&W for the hips and valleys rather then Huber's wider tape and it worked fine.
Rained everyday for a month till I got it shingled-- couple of small leaks due to taping over a bit of plastic from the collated nails but easy fix.
not to hijack the thread but if there is one thing that'll get me ranting it's "red tape" I can't for the life of me figure out why the industry can get away with charging 10 dollars a roll for the stuff, everytime I have to buy a roll it drives me crazy, its tape for crying out loud ... phew, now I feel better .. so if this new tape is just as expensive I think tar paper is better, it makes shingle removal easier, and that tape doesn't look wide enough to wrap over a ridge or valley ..