Let’s take a break from discussing insulation and move onto something equally as important: housewrap. Housewrap in USA – and most houses in the world – is quite common but is something that not many people know about. Today, we will explore what housewrap is, what it is used for and whether you need it for your house.
What exactly is it?
As the name suggests, housewrap is essentially a wrap of synthetic material that covers your house, protecting the wall frames. It’s impossible to construct an everyday house that is hardened and protected against all the natural elements of the world, but housewrap makes sure your house is shielded as much as possible.
Housewrap is a thin, lightweight sheet of synthetic material – similar to asphalt-treated paper – that is installed behind the siding and over the sheathing of your house. It can be used in conjunction with any of the following siding materials:
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Brick
- Stucco
- Fiber cement
Some housewrap will work better with certain siding materials than with others. As your local suppliers of housewrap in USA, we will be able to offer further assistance on which two materials are most effective together.
What does housewrap do?
Housewrap stops droughts, moisture and mould from entering your house. For this reason, it is technically classified as a type of water-resistive barrier (WRB). It also greatly protects against strong winds.
The main purpose for housewrap is to keep moisture from entering the wall cavities, so whilst it acts as a strong barrier, if it were to be completely impregnable then the moisture would simply become trapped in the housewrap – leading to mould growth and rot.
What you’ll need to install housewrap
Housewrap can only be effective if it is installed properly. While it is a fiddle process, having all the correct tools will make the installation a lot easier.
Before you consider installing housewrap, you’ll want to make sure you have the necessary items:
- The housewrap itself (see our range of housewrap in USA).
- Staples and a hammer tacker.
- Tape (every seam must be taped when it comes to housewrap so make sure you stock up on it).
- Primer – for wood siding only.
How to install housewrap
Once you have all the required items you can begin the installation. Installing housewrap is something that you can hire a professional to do, but for those who want to tackle it themselves, here are some steps to simplify the process for you:
- If you have a wood siding, we suggest you prime your siding before you start. Doing so ensures that if any water manages to penetrate the siding, it won’t be able to lift off the finish, as water does tend to condense on housewrap.
- Start from the bottom first, working your way around the house. You’ll want to put the bottom corner of the housewrap approximately two inches past the corner in both directions. Staple down the corners first and then continue down the edges in even intervals.
- When your rolls run out, continue with the next roll and overlap the ends by six inches, to ensure moisture prevention in between the rolls.
- Housewrap over windows and doors.
- When a row has been completed, go back and overlap it, making sure the original layer has not become wrinkled or unaligned.
- The higher you get, the more difficult it will become, so a ladder is definitely handy. For two-story buildings, it is recommended you work with a partner to make things easier and safer.
- Once the entire house is covered twice over, you need to go back and cut open the window and door openings. To do this, staple at the edges of the windows/door openings first to ensure the housewrap is held firmly in place, and then use a utility knife to cut out the openings.
Do I need it?
At the end of the day, the purpose of housewrap is to stop water and air leaks from entering your house. Regardless of what material you’re using for siding, none of them are impervious to the penetration of moisture or air. Whilst it is not a mandatory requirement for homes to have housewrap, it is highly advised by all construction professionals.
Where to buy housewrap
When it comes to all your housewrap supplies and advice, Insulation Essentials has you covered. With 20+ years of building and industry knowledge, our team are more than happy to cater to all your housewrap needs and answer any questions you may have about the matter.
If you’re looking for quality housewrap in USA at wholesale prices, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.