The Habitat for Humanity chapter I volunteer for is considering using the Zip System on its next build. Would anyone like to share their opinions, both good and bad, of the system?
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Huber Zip System
I'm impressed with this line of materials. I've had weather exposure on their wall panels for, oh, about 4 years now, with no ill effects at all. No need for housewrap or tar paper - but you MUST use their proprietary tape on any seam, and corners, too.
If you've ever used Advantech engineered wood floor sheathing, this is the same company. Huber is in Macon, Georgia, only about 100 miles from me. Pro-Build here offers their materials. The wall sheathing product and the roof sheathing product are just as bullet-proof as Advantech flooring.
I have seen absolutely no negatives other than added cost, but the time and money and aggravation saved on housewrap more than makes up for it, in my opinion.
Greg
Why use something so expensive on a H4H house?
Many people have told me the cost is not that different than OSB. The question is whether or not the benefits of the system are worth any extra cost. HH house don't go up over night. During the winter , a house having a Zip roof would certainly allow work to continue ( sometimes roofers are not readily available) and protect what has been built from cold winters.
I don't really understand what you mean when you say "why put anything so expensive on a H4H house".
Around here most H4H houses are "blitz built" - Typically done in a week or two. They're rarely left to the elements very long.
Cost is a big factor, so anything that costs more than the norm is usually avoided.
Around here they've been all over the map. Some fast, some slow. A lot of rehabs that take a lot of time. New construction is always planned for low operating cost and low maintenance, including, eg, ground source heat pumps -- not exactly cheap.
I've heard that Huber is developing a fire resistant coating to augment the weather resistant properties.