The term “house wrap” may be a bit of a misnomer — it doesn’t actually wrap the entire house like cling wrap. What it can do, however, is improve your home’s resistance to water infiltration and wind damage. In today’s post, local siding and roofing company Up and Above Contractors, LLC takes a look at house wrap and why you should consider getting it when installing new siding.
House wrap is a barrier made of fabric, board or other synthetic materials that is installed between the exterior wall framing and the siding. If you’re familiar with how roofing systems are built, you’ll recognize its functional counterpart — the underlayment. Most types of siding are not made to be airtight, so it’s fairly easy for moisture, especially in vapor form, to make its way into the crevices of the exterior wall. Wind can also drive moisture into the walls during storms. Over time, trapped moisture can cause rot, mold growth and damage to the exterior wall insulation.
This is where house wrap comes in. Like roofing underlayment, it serves as a barrier that keeps moisture out of the exterior walls. Depending on the material, it may also be able to wick moisture away from the walls.
House wrap is not part of standard siding installations, and is generally not needed if the siding is properly installed. That being said, there are conditions that may require house wrap as part of the exterior wall. One such condition is local building codes, another is your choice of siding material. Yet another condition is the local climate — in predominantly-cold areas, homes are more vulnerable to frost formed by trapped moisture in the walls. Having that extra layer of protection can help reduce the risks of frost damage.
This underlines the importance of working with local siding contractors like Up and Above Contractors, LLC. We know the local climate and applicable building codes, and we can tell if your home will benefit from house wrap. Give us a call at (973) 300-0636, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve communities in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties, including Sparta, Andover, Hackettstown and Wantage, NJ.
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