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Double house wrap?

Vashie | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on May 26, 2008 02:52am

I’m having a new house built and the town calls for tarpaper wrap under siding. Was thinking of adding tyveck. Is this overkill or proper? It was done on my daughters house.

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  1. User avater
    IMERC | May 26, 2008 02:58am | #1

    what for and you may have compatibilty issues....

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    1. Vashie | May 26, 2008 03:14am | #2

      After having read several negative posts on Tyvek I'm having major second thoughts. My first thought was to increase the R value of the walls. My builders rep isn't sure that the town would accept the Tyvek as a substitute for the tarpaper. Does felt or tar paper breath as Tyvek is supposed to?

      1. User avater
        IMERC | May 26, 2008 03:49am | #4

        Tyvek breathes more than felt/tar paper...

        I don't use Tyvek....

        clean up after it.... yes....

        as for R value.... do that internally.... use the Mooney wall....

        and where in the world are you???? 

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

        1. Vashie | May 26, 2008 11:03am | #6

          Moving from Long Island to Lehigh Valley Pa. Thanks. I'll have to invesigate Mooney wall.

          1. User avater
            IMERC | May 26, 2008 11:14am | #7

            see if this helps.... it's a start anyways...

            http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=65624.1 

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  2. segundo | May 26, 2008 03:38am | #3

    more important than two layers of house wrap with whatever material, is having it wrapped correctly.

    as in many other tasks that go together to build a house, the difference between good and bad, or good and great is in the details. having a builder that is comfortable and experienced with what he/she is working with, and how it should be properly applied is more important.

    tar paper (asphalt impregnated felt) is just fine, and has been for many years. i wouldn't add the tyvek. i would spec mooney walls for greater insulation values, you can read all about them here in this forum where they were invented!

  3. DanH | May 26, 2008 05:07am | #5

    Where do you live? In the frozen north I'd strongly advise Tyvek. In more moderate climes it's probably unnecessary.

    No harm in doing the two layers (Tyvek first). Regular Tyvek isn't a good primary rain barrier, and if the siding is leaky (which appears to be common out east) then you need a rain barrier (either tarpaper or one of the rain barrier products) behind the siding.

    What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell
  4. Jay20 | May 26, 2008 07:09pm | #8

    I just removed some siding in front of my house and installed a thin stone veneer. The stone manufacturer's instructions called for Tyvec Stucco wrap first then 15 lb felt before putting on the lath. This might be what you want to do. Also make sure under windows and doors there is a membrane installed that kicks moisture outside and does not allow it into the wall cavity. This is probably more important that the type of house wrap you use.

  5. Clewless1 | May 27, 2008 05:46pm | #9

    I believe Tyvek is supposed to be a good rain barrier ... that's it's job ... pass moisture VAPOR, but block bulk water passage.

    Sounds like overkill, to me, too. Tyvek is expensive and to apply properly you need attention to the details. I'm not advocating one over the other ... just pointing out some issues to think about.

     

    1. DanH | May 27, 2008 05:58pm | #10

      Standard Tyvek is a fair rain barrier. It's primarily intended as an air infiltration barrier -- important in the Frozen North but not as much in other areas of the country.
      What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell

      1. Clewless1 | May 29, 2008 11:24pm | #11

        You're right, I got it backwards a bit. No. 1 infiltration barrier that passes moisture but blocks air/wind and bulk water ... Gortex for houses.

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