Why Doesnt My House Have Building Wrap Under Siding

Say that house wrap in not required under vinyl siding however alot of people are using it under vinyl siding and there is a debate seeming to begin to.

Why doesnt my house have building wrap under siding.

Water also enters the wall cavity through gaps at the edge of siding if it is not caulked. While a water resistant house wrap is typically installed under the siding it is punctured by nails during the installation process contributing to leaks. We talked to another builder when we were interviewing who had the same feelings and didnt use house wrap. He says he puts a moisture barrier behind the drywall and doesnt like house wrap because the house cant breathe.

During a recent repair to our siding we found that the house had no building wrap tyvek under the siding. Wood fiber cement vinyl brick stucco and others. Perhaps recent damage to their siding showed no house wrap under their vinyl or they are working with a contractor who doesn t believe house wrap to be necessary. The irc 2000 code and our building dept.

We re in the middle of having vinyl siding installed on our 1950s house. So my dh is installing the siding and he is tempted to go buy house wrap and put it up there. It seems that we have two options. Our house was built about seven years ago.

House wrap is intended to be installed over the sheathing and behind the siding no matter what siding you are using. I have read mixed things on tyvek that its needed its not its only for new houses it should go over foam under foam over or under based on climate it doesn t. In my part of michigan we have wrb inspections typically after window installation and before siding. For instance protecto wrap flashing tape on tyvek.

This explains why the house does not retain heat. House wrap is a common type of insulation on new homes. Siding manufacturers may recommend specific types of wrb to use with their products. Vinyl siding must be able to move independently of the wall surface.

However if you re interested a residing project offers the perfect time to examine your home s weather barrier and exterior insulation and improve it if need be. The material is designed to keep out moisture and reduce drafts while simultaneously allowing the walls to breath. In the end the decision to install house wrap under your siding is a personal one that you should make after discussing it with your contractor. This also means that they have not allowed one manufactures tape or flashing tape on anothers housewrap.

House wrap is indeed considered a necessity by the majority of contractors as well as housing authorities including local building and planning departments.