Not many homeowners are familiar with house wrap, or its benefits, and we often get asked about whether it should be added to their siding installation. In this blog, the siding and window contractors at Silver Leaf Contracting answer frequently asked questions about house wrap.
What Is House Wrap?
House wrap is a barrier made of fabric, paper or board, and is installed between the exterior walls and siding. Functionally, it is similar to what felts or underlayment is to a roofing system: it protects the exterior walls from water infiltration and wind damage.
Does My Home Need House Wrap?
A typical siding installation doesn’t require a barrier between the siding and exterior wall, however, building codes in certain areas may require house wrap as part of an exterior wall. Conditions such as mostly-cold climates may require house wrap. Ultimately, siding and window companies make the call if house wrap is needed: since it functions as a vapor barrier, it may trap moisture in the exterior wall instead of venting it out.
Why Should I Spend More on House Wrap?
Most of today’s siding is made of overlapping boards or shingles, and is hardly an airtight barrier against wind-driven rain. While standard exterior walls do have a type of barrier, protection against the elements is usually left to the choice of siding material. If your home happens to have persistent issues related to water intrusion through the siding, which is typically caused by wind-driven rain, then a house wrap is a good investment.
What Doesn’t House Wrap Do?
House wrap is primarily used as a water-resistive barrier, which means it’s not water-impermeable, not waterproof. This means in the event that moisture gets behind the house wrap from elsewhere, such as a roof leak, the wall can “breathe” and release moisture, avoiding damage to the wall.
Silver Leaf Contracting is one of the siding companies in Ohio that offers house wrap. Give us a call at (330) 313-0620 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
