Have you heard of house wrap? Do you know why it is important? We are here to give you a quick overview and explain why it is used. House wrap, housewrap, or home wrap all refer to the same thing but there are various names and spellings for it.
House wrap is a weather-resistant barrier that is installed on top of the sheathing of your home before siding is installed. You can think of house wrap as a secondary defense against weather and especially precipitation for your home, after the siding. It is a backup barrier to keep water off the framing.
It is an important protective layer that prevents rain and moisture to penetrate the walls. At the same time, it lets water vapor escape to the outside from the home’s interior and walls. Additionally, it serves as an air barrier which helps control the temperature in your home and make it more energy efficient.
Most often house wrap is made out of synthetic material. The material allows moisture to escape the home. That is very important since trapped moisture can cause mildew, mold, and rot to form within the walls. Therefore, having house wrap installed under the siding is a very important step.
To get the most out of your house wrap it has to be installed properly. Furthermore, it has to be of high quality to perform best. The material needs to have a good permeance rating. There is a number of manufacturers that make good home wrap, including James Hardie.
James Hardie HardieWrap® Weather Barrier
James Hardie is the industry leading manufacturer of fiber cement siding. Furthermore, they make a number of additional great products for the exterior of the house, including house wrap. It is of the same high quality as all of their other products so you can count on it.
The HardieWrap® weather barriers are specifically engineered to stand up to the elements and protect your home. To have the right product for every part of the house, James Hardie developed four different weather barrier products.
1. Weather Barrier
The HardieWrap® weather barrier combines water resistance with breathability. That will keep the walls dry and prevent mildew. Additionally, it will reduce energy loss, which should save you money and keep your home more comfortable.
2. Pro-Flashing
James Hardie Pro-Flashing is perfect to use around doors and windows with straight edges. It is self-adhesive with butyl rubber so that it sticks well. This helps to prevent water and air from entering the house. It does not contain asphalts, VOCs or solvents. It even self-seals around fastenings.
3. Flex Flashing
This flashing is more flexible so that is stretches easily. That way it can seal around specific shapes, especially if they are custom made. It can fit in windows and doorsills to keep water and air from entering your home.
4. Seam Tape
HardieWrap® seam tape is a waterproof tape that is applied over seams to seal them. This eliminates gaps between the wrap and thus protects the house even better from water intrusion. It is specifically designed for the HardieWrap® weather barrier products.
These HardieWrap® weather barrier products work together to protect your home from the elements. They help prevent water damage and energy loss when installed correctly. It reduces infiltration by water and air and thus protects your home better.
HardieWrap® weather barriers have been independently tested and perform exceptionally well in the categories water holdout, tear resistance, and air penetration. No matter where you live and what the climate is like there, this house wrap will perform well.
Your James Hardie Expert
Colorado Siding Repair is your trusted siding guide. We can walk you through all of your options and help you find the siding solution that is right for you. That also includes house wrap and your various possibilities in regards to it.
Furthermore, we are a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor. This means that we know all their superior products very well, including the HardieWrap® weather barrier products. Our team members are factory trained and can install everything from James Hardie house wrap to fiber cement siding correctly, following all best practices and specifications.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any of your siding or exterior remodel questions. We are always happy to help and will never use high-pressure sale tactics. We put you first and want what is best for you, your home, and your budget.
We always take the educational approach so that you have all the facts to make an informed decision. We will guide you through all of the steps of your project. In addition to installing siding, we also install windows and insulation to boost the energy efficiency of your home.
If your home gets damaged during one of Colorado’s severe storms, we can determine whether a partial siding replacement is possible. If only one or two sides of your home where impacted, it may be possible to replace just those.
We will always be honest in our assessment and are happy to take on any job, no matter how small. A partial replacement could save you thousands of dollars. After a partial siding replacement we can also paint the rest of the exterior to match, a service not many siding contractors offer.
Call Colorado Siding Repair today to get a hassle-free quote. Together, we will make the exterior of your home beautiful again!
