Knowledge Builders

what is housewrap tape

by Prof. Rocky Heller II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Housewrap tape helps to seal all seams on housewrap applications including sheathing, insulation, and vapor barrier materials used in residential and commercial construction applications. Housewrap tape is applied after the entire building has been wrapped.

Housewrap tape helps to seal all seams on housewrap applications including sheathing, insulation, and vapor barrier materials used in residential and commercial construction applications. Housewrap tape is applied after the entire building has been wrapped.Sep 5, 2018

Full Answer

What kind of tape do you use for house wrap?

Double-sided seaming tape that’s applied on one part of the wrap with another course overlapping (think shingle lap) helps prevents moisture — and meets code requirements. One of the most precise jobs when working with house wrap is properly installing the product around windows and doors.

What is house wrap and why do you need it?

The goal of house wrap is to create an air and moisture barrier that also prevents moisture accumulation in the wall system. Ultimately, house wrap should boost a home’s energy-efficiency and create a healthy, comfortable indoor environment. Our friends over at Barricade , pulled together the most common house wrap issues.

How do I install housewrap?

Once you’ve determined if it’s necessary to meet code, you must be sure to install the product in strict adherence to manufacturer specifications so that it functions as intended. While manufacturer instructions for installing housewrap vary, generally there are three main tasks involved: wrapping, taping, and flashing.

How do you wrap wrap around a wall?

Wrapping should start at the foundation, or the base of the wall assembly, extending at least an inch past the wall-to-foundation intersection and continuing upwards like shingle installation with the higher course overlapping the lower. Horizontal seams should overlap at least 2 inches and vertical seams a minimum of 6 inches.

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What is the purpose of Housewrap?

To sum it up, house wrap is a lightweight, paper-like material that is most often used to completely cover the house, directly on top of the sheathing and behind the vinyl siding. Its primary purpose is to prevent air and water leaks that may have seeped past the vinyl exterior.

Does Housewrap need to be taped?

It is critical to seal the damaged house wrap with code-approved contractor sheathing tape before covering with siding. Repair of larger tears in house wrap requires a taped 6-inch overlap of house wrap. Not sealing the bottom edges of the house wrap can lead to air leaks.

What is Tyvek tape used for?

Part of a continuous building envelope system, Tyvek® Tape seals Tyvek® weather barriers against air and water. Use it to add durability and energy efficiency to both residential and commercial buildings.

What is Housewrap made of?

House wrap is usually made from a synthetic material wrapped around the plywood of the home exterior. House wrap ensures that moisture does not infiltrate into your inner wall assembly. Its expansive nature makes application quick and can also be overlapped and sealed to improve your home's building envelope.

How do you apply Housewrap?

House Wrap Installation TipsSeal all seams with a special tape provided by the house wrap manufacturer.Work from the bottom up, overlapping the lower courses.Install house wrap before doors and windows.Wrap the fabric around the edges of windows and doors to the inside of the frame.More items...•

Can I use duct tape instead of Tyvek tape?

Duct tape won't cut it; it's too porous. We used the Tyvek and it's worked well so far. Don't use it on hard wood floors as painter's tape; it'll rip the polyurethane right off of the floor (lesson learned).

Where do you apply Tyvek tape?

0:052:16Installing Housewrap Right: Taping Seams and Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround the inside corners to make sure that they're lapped. Just like the house rap is but beyondMoreAround the inside corners to make sure that they're lapped. Just like the house rap is but beyond that you just want to make sure you get a nice tight bond.

Is Tyvek tape the same as Tyvek?

Helpful? A: Tyvek tape is specifically used to join joints in two or more pieces of Tyvek wrap as well as cover nails or other holes in Tyvek.

Where do you put Tyvek tape?

Be sure to apply tape or sealant to the following areas:The entire outline window openings except the sill (base).Vertical and horizontal seams where Tyvek rolls overlap.Any tears, puncture marks, or other damage the Tyvek suffered during installation.

Is Housewrap a vapor barrier?

For example, House wrap by itself is not an air barrier, it is a vapor barrier. However, IF installed properly, which is rare, with taped seams, bottom, top edges, and no tears, it acts as an air barrier. So primarily it acts as a vapor barrier, but installed properly can do both; vapor barrier and air barrier.

Can Housewrap be used on roof?

No, these uses are not recommended. All Tyvek® products in Canada and the U.S. have been tested and approved as products to be installed behind exterior walls. However DuPont™ Tyvek® Protec™ provides a high-quality roof underlayment choice.

What is better than Tyvek?

While both Tyvek® HomeWrap® and the ZIP System provide air- and moisture-resistance, each has potential problems that may diminish their intended purpose. A better solution to a WRB is Barricade® Building Wrap. Barricade Building Wrap is strong, durable, permeable, and easy to install.

Horizontal tape is problematic

The installation procedure for housewrap, regardless of the manufacturer, is fairly standard across the board.

Water entry leads to litigation

There have been litigation cases where the major contributing factor was improper sealing of the housewrap causing major structural damage to the wood sheathing and other building components.

Why not use double-sided tape?

We have contacted one of the larger housewrap manufacturers about these problems and asked about the possibility of a double-sided tape for use on horizontal seams. We were informed that they make such a tape, but it is not for sale in the U.S.

How many inches does house wrap need to be?

House wrap is typically applied from the bottom of the building up, overlapping the horizontal joints by a minimum of six inches and the vertical joints by a minimum of twelve inches. Expand the house wrap over the footing top by a minimum of two inches.

Why is it important to seal and repair house wrap?

It is critical to seal and repair all damage to the house wrap due to rough handling and overexposure to wind and construction debris. Damage Due to Overexposure to UV Radiation. Overexposure of house wrap to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can discolor and photo-degrade the house wrap.

Why does my house wrap leak?

Unfortunately, there are several reasons a house wrap can leak after installation. Housewrap seams that are not sealed properly can cause air leaks. Sealing house wrap joints with the manufacturer’s approved seaming tape can improve the wrap’s performance by about 20 percent.

What happens if you don't wrap your house?

Moisture will escape through the wall cavity and sheathing, and if the house wrap doesn’t allow it to pass through fast enough, it will condense and accumulate in the form of frost and ice. When the ice thaws, you’ll end up with wet sheathing and/or wall cavities—not good.

How long should nails be for house wrap?

It is crucial for airtightness to use manufacturer’s stapling nails or nails designed to hold down house wrap material. Also, nails should be at least 1-inch long and spaced 12 to 18 inches on-center. Not repairing the tears, rips, or cuts in the house wrap that occur during installation can lead to air leaks.

Do you need to wrap the gables before installing trim?

Apply house wrap up the gables before installing exterior trim, even if the attic is not conditioned. House wrap is not just for air sealing the insulated parts of the house, it is mainly for water management. If the gable isn’t covered, water can get to the framing, and even behind the house wrap below.

Can you repair a tear in house wrap?

Not repairing the tears, rips, or cuts in the house wrap that occur during installation can lead to air leaks. It is critical to seal the damaged house wrap with code-approved contractor sheathing tape before covering with siding. Repair of larger tears in house wrap requires a taped 6-inch overlap of house wrap.

What is Tyvek home wrap?

A non-woven, breathable structure that stands apart from other types of house wraps, Tyvek® HomeWrap® promotes drying in wall systems and helps insulation perform closer to its R-value.

Does Tyvek help with HVAC?

Tyvek ® HomeWrap ® can also reduce home energy bills by controlling air flow and water intrusion, which helps insulation work better, allowing the HVAC system to work more efficiently . It’s a house wrap engineered to keep homes cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and dry all year round.

Why do we need a Barricade house wrap?

The true purpose of house wrap is to let moisture escape while helping to keep air infiltration to a minimum. Barricade does both, which means that not only is your home less likely to suffer from trapped moisture behind your house wrap, which can be a problem with some other brands, it also means that your insulation won’t lose any of its R-value due to air infiltration.

How long does a barricade wrap last?

Barricade has superior UV ray protection, with stabilizers that will protect the wrap for up to 12 months in the sun.

Does Tyvek tear in wind?

SUPERIOR STRENGTH. One of the biggest, most common issues surrounding any house wrap is its durability. Products like Tyvek ® may tear in a high wind, which can be problematic if a storm comes up after wrapping, but before the final siding can be installed.

Do you have to redo a house wrap before siding?

In the event of a delay or break in the project, your house wrap may need to be redone before siding can be installed. Barricade house wrap has a tear-stop design, made of cross-woven polyolefin, which makes it stay firmly on the wall once it’s been installed.

Is Tyvek a Dupont trademark?

Get the best alternative to Tyvek ® house wrap, and invest in Barricade ®. *Tyvek ® is a registered trademark of DuPont™.

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1.Housewrap - What is it and what does it do? - IOWALUM

Url:https://iowalum.com/housewrap/

4 hours ago  · Housewrap tape is a critical component to properly installed housewrap and allows it to function properly, reducing the risk to property owners of air leaking, moisture build-up, and increased heating and air costs caused by inadequate seals.

2.Housewrap Tape Problems - GreenBuildingAdvisor

Url:https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/housewrap-tape-problems

7 hours ago  · As implied by the name, the tape is used for sealing the seams of the housewrap. The purpose of sealing the seams is to create a continuous air barrier. Some of the manufacturers imply that the use of their tape will also reduce moisture intrusion.

3.House Wrap Tape at Lowes.com

Url:https://www.lowes.com/pl/House-wrap-tape-House-wrap-tape-Insulation-accessories-Building-supplies/4294417412

9 hours ago for pricing and availability. WEATHERMATE. Straight Flashing 9-in x 100-ft Housewrap Tape. Model # 11079965. Find My Store. for pricing and availability. WEATHERMATE. WM Cnst Tape 3-7/8-in x 55 yards. Model # 374773.

4.Contractor's Field Guide to House Wrap & Seaming

Url:https://www.echotape.com/blog/contractors-field-guide-to-house-wrap-seaming-tape/

31 hours ago  · House wraps are installed to the outside surface of a home’s envelope, undersiding, or exterior cladding. Housewraps must be permeable enough to allow water vapor to pass through them from the warm side, but still, stop bulk water like rain from entering on the cold side — similar to a Gore-Tex jacket.

5.Tyvek® HomeWrap® - DuPont

Url:https://www.dupont.com/products/tyvek-homewrap.html

21 hours ago DuPont ™ Tyvek ® HomeWrap ® is the original house wrap, incorporating unique material science that helps keep air and water out, while letting water vapor escape. As a result, it can contribute to improved building durability by helping to protect homes against damaging wind and rain that can penetrate the exterior cladding.

6.Amazon.com: house wrap tape

Url:https://www.amazon.com/house-wrap-tape/s?k=house+wrap+tape

26 hours ago 3pk 2" in x 55 yd White House Wrap Tape Sheathing Building Wrapping Housewrap Sheath Tape Insulation Seaming Plastic Sheets for Sealing New Construction Moisture Dust Barrier Asbestos Abatement. 4.5 out of 5 stars. 23. $25.99. $25. . 99. Get it …

7.10 Reasons NOT to Tape Housewrap Seams - Benjamin …

Url:https://benjaminobdyke.com/insights/10-reasons-not-to-tape-housewrap-seams/

27 hours ago Elimination of seam tape allows for unrestricted drainage path (no reverse flashing). Drainage space provides path of least resistance down and out of the wall system – moisture won’t migrate laterally at vertical seams. Provides unrestricted vapor transmission as most tapes are vapor barriers. Eliminates the need for WRB surface to be ...

8.The Best Alternative to Tyvek® House Wrap

Url:https://barricadebp.com/news/best-alternative-tyvek-house-wrap

7 hours ago  · House wrap is generally a good idea to install on your home regardless of where you live or what the climate looks like there. House wrap can help keep moisture out while helping to promote air flow. Some types can also be used as insulation to help provide the first defense against energy transfer through the walls.

9.HomeWrap 2 in. x 164 ft. Housewrap Installation Tape

Url:https://www.homedepot.com/p/TYVEK-HomeWrap-2-in-x-164-ft-Housewrap-Installation-Tape-D13841470/100422453

11 hours ago  · Product Overview. TYVEK Tape is specially engineered for use with TYVEK HomeWrap. This crucial, final step provides maximum reduction of air infiltration and water protection. TYVEK Tape helps create a seamless, protective building envelope. The right insulation can save on energy and heating and cooling bills.

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