House Wrap FAQ: What You Need to Know

House wrap is a fabric, paper or board material that envelops the exterior sheathing of house walls. It acts as an additional form of insulation to help increase the energy efficiency of a home. In this article, one of the leading siding and window installers in the local area discusses the basic things you need to know about house wrap.

Why Do You Need House Wrap?

House wrap is a type of water-resistive barrier or WRB. Its main purpose is to prevent the entry of moisture into the wall cavity from the outside. Since most siding materials are not completely effective at repelling rainwater, house wrap is there to shed the water when it gets behind the siding. House wrap does not exactly serve as an air barrier to hamper chilly air. Only a few special types of WRBs are designed to perform this function, and they must be installed skillfully to be reliable.

What Are the Different Types of House Wrap?

According to professional roofers, the original WRB was an asphalt-reinforced felt paper, similar to the material usually used as an underlayment under roof shingles. Here are some other types:

• Grade D building paper is made of asphalt-impregnated kraft paper. It is commonly used under stucco siding.
• Polyolefin fabric is made of woven polyethylene or polypropylene fibers.
• WRB sheathing panels are made of oriented strandboard (OSB) with special coatings.

How Long Will House Wrap Last?

House wrap will last for the life of the home since it is installed under the exterior siding. Unless there is a fire or other types of devastating structural damage, there is almost never any need to replace house wrap.

Is House Wrap Waterproof?

It is not 100% waterproof. If house wrap is directly exposed to water or moisture for extended periods of time, that water can penetrate through. However, since it is located underneath the siding of a home, it won’t likely be exposed to water for long periods of time.

Austin Pro Siding, Windows & Roofing is one of the premier siding and window replacement contractors in Texas. We are committed to providing industry-leading products and services to ensure a comfortable living space for our customers. Call us today at (512) 550-0000 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment.