When installing siding, many people want to know if house wrap is required. Maybe they’re working with a siding contractor who doesn’t typically use house wrap or saw that their house didn’t have the wrap in the first place.
Tyvek house wrap (which is the most durable type of house wrap that we use) is considered to be essential by the majority of housing authorities, HOAs, etc, as well as contractors and should be considered for new or replacement siding.
Before making an informed decision, it’s likely best to consider house wrap in general. House wrap was developed to add an extra layer of protection and comfort to homes. In the early stages of its development, people use felt paper that was coated in asphalt. The materials used have advanced though, providing superior protection.
The majority of house wrap used today is a synthetic and lightweight material that’s designed to be placed between the siding and the sheathing. Some local building codes may even require house wrap when installing siding.
Even if not, many reputable siding contractors such as our company Mr. Happy House, agree that it should be considered even when not required. Keep in mind that siding is a popular choice for exteriors of homes and has decent protection. When installed correctly, it should provide good protection.
However, it is possible for moisture or air leaks to enter through the siding and could cause damage over time. Adding house wrap to the home protects it from damage and provides other benefits as well. In short, the house wrap serves as a secondary defense for your space
The benefits of Tyvek house wrap are numerous so it may be helpful to understand how using it can provide benefits. These are a few of the primary reasons why a contractor would install it for new construction or replacement siding.
If you’re like the average person, then you probably want to save on your utility bills. There are many methods you can use to save on your heating and cooling bills but do you know that house wrap can help your home stay warmer or cooler?
House wrap seals out moisture and air so it’s always making the house more energy-efficient. With this added insulation, you can work to relieve strain on your heating and cooling system. If you’ve lived in a home that had house wrap, you may have noticed the savings.
However, it’s not until you’ve lived in one that doesn’t have this feature, you start to notice a significant rise in costs. This may be especially beneficial when you live in an area with very hot summers or cold winters.
Since house wrap does wrap around the outside of your home, it’s acting as an extra layer of protection against the elements and general decay. Homes that don’t have house wrap simply deteriorate faster as they age.
Wood is going to rot over time and any moisture that gets through the siding can lead to mold and mildew. Both of these issues can cause you to need expensive repairs.
It’s best to take a preventative approach and use a house wrap to keep these elements outside where they belong.
Keeping your house at a comfortable temperature can be a challenge. After all, no one wants to run the heat or the air conditioning to the point to where you are wasting energy.
Keeping your house at an ambient temperature may seem like a challenge but house wrap allows your home to stay within a certain range more easily.
You will still need heating and cooling but by keeping the warm air trapped inside in the winter and vice versa in the summer, your house will feel more comfortable throughout the year.
As most homeowners know, pests are constantly trying to get inside. Your home seems like a welcome haven to the average insect which is why they’re constantly trying to burrow in. House wrap is designed to be insect and animal-resistant.
This means that your home is less likely to have a pest infestation or problem. You may still want to keep vigilant. However, the house wrap provides peace of mind by barring critters from burrowing into the unseen parts of your home.
You can’t monitor all of the house all of the time and with these small pests, they can go unnoticed. Keep your home free of unwanted guests by simply using house wrap.
This is a benefit that you might not initially realize but will certainly play a role when you decide to sell your home. Knowing that a house has house wrap, especially a high quality one, will work to your advantage.
It shows potential buyers that you’ve kept the house up over the years and have a lower risk of structural damage. If your home does not have house wrap, it may actually scare away potential buyers.
They may not want to take the risk of owning a home that doesn’t have this extra layer of protection. Homebuyers are especially interested in energy efficient homes so this may be a primary deciding factor for them.
Now that you understand the benefits of having house wrap installed on your home before the siding, the final question that people have is the difficulty of installing it. The good news is that this process is straightforward and won’t add much time to your siding or re-siding work.
That being said, it’s incredibly important that the house wrap is installed properly so make sure that you use a knowledgeable contractor to complete the work for the best results. When installed correctly, house wrap will add multiple benefits to your home.
Not only can it result in cost savings over time, you’ll also find that it makes your home more pleasant throughout the year and can provide benefits if you ever decide to sell the home. These are just a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding to add house wrap to your home.
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