UV-Resistant Housewrap
For open-cladding systems, this product looks good and can stand up to sunshine over the long term.
“Open-joint cladding” describes siding installed on battens or furring strips with gaps between the boards. It’s one of the newest fads in modern design. Although I’m still trying to make sense of the whole concept, the rationale is that the wide-open assembly allows any moisture to drain quickly, and it gives the house a contemporary look. In these assemblies, the water-resistive barrier can be seen behind the siding, so you have to install a WRB that looks good and can stand up to sunshine (UV) long term. Benjamin Obdyke’s FlatWrap UV accommodates open-cladding systems with gaps up to 1 in. when the siding is installed on 1⁄4-in.-thick furring. A 5-ft. by 100-ft. roll of FlatWrap UV sells for $112. A 4-in. by 75-ft. roll of compatible black flashing tape, HydroFlash, sells for $43. A 6-in. by 75-ft. roll is $62.
