House Wrap

What is the purpose of house wrap? House wrap is a protective synthetic membrane used to protect the outside of your home from moisture. It is just one more protective measure to ensure your home lasts for a long length of time. House wrap helps to prevent moisture from getting into the framing of a home and rotting out your sheathing and potentially the studs. It also helps to protect against mold and other related problems.

House wrap, if installed properly, can second as an air barrier. Either heat or cool air from the home will be sealed in and less likely to escape through your home since the house wrap is sealed against the building envelope.

House wrap was developed as an alternative to a tar based sealant for protecting the house. The synthetic material is much easier to apply and it goes up faster since it is lighter than applying tar. It is applied over the sheathing but behind the siding of the house.

A few key points that FEMA an the NAHB made were:

- house wrap is not supposed to be used as a vapor retarder. The purpose of house wrap is to let air pass through

-depending on the climate in which one lives, use a house wrap or building paper. Although they are similar, each one works well in their respective climates. The chart below taken from FEMA's website, explains in further detail when to use house wrap as opposed to building paper

-if the house wrap isn't installed correctly, then it could do more harm to your home and good. Water could become trapped and then potential mold growth or rotting could occur.