What is house wrap?
House wrap is a moisture and air barrier, and also provides a radiant barrier that helps to reduce heating and cooling costs by acting as an additional form of insulation.
Do I need house wrap on a shed?
You don’t technically need house wrap on a shed, but it can provide a barrier that will help protect the inside of the shed and the contents from heat, cold, dust, and moisture.
Do I need house wrap on a garage?
Generally, house wrap is added to a garage at the same time it is added to a house, during the construction phase. For detached garages, house wrap is not required, but it is still a good idea for its protective and insulating properties.
Do old houses have house wrap?
Very old houses don’t have house wrap because it wasn’t used at that time. Houses can be retrofitted in some cases, but the cost to do so and the difficulty of the job will vary widely based on the size of the house, its age, the type of construction, and the type of siding.
Do you have to use house wrap?
Using house wrap is very important to provide a barrier for moisture and other concerns. Some codes require house wrap or another type of coating, while others do not. You have options, but house wrap is often the most logical of the options since it provides a radiant barrier.
How long can house wrap be exposed?
House wrap protects the home, but it is a thin barrier. While it is very strong, it should be covered up as soon as reasonably possible during the construction process. That will prevent holes, tears, and other types of damage that can reduce its effectiveness.
How long will house wrap last?
Since house wrap goes under the exterior siding of a home, it will last for the life of the home. Unless there is a fire or other type of structural damage, there is never any need to change or replace house wrap.
Is house wrap waterproof?
House wrap is a moisture barrier, but it is not 100% waterproof. If it is directly exposed to water for too long, that water can get through. Since it is underneath the exterior siding of a home, being completely waterproof is not required.
What is house wrap used for?
House wrap is used to protect a home from moisture, and to keep dust and air from circulating from the outside of the home to the inside. It is placed under the siding, and putting it underneath brick works best for maximum effectiveness. It can also be a radiant barrier, which will help with heating and cooling costs.
Do you have to have house wrap in order to be code compliant?
House wrap meets nearly all federal, state, and local building codes when it comes to smoke and fire safety. It can be used almost anywhere to comply with code and protect your home with a strong barrier against air and moisture.