Does Tyvek have an R-value?

Author: Prof. Brenna Labadie III  |  Last update: Friday, October 31, 2025

No, Tyvek house wrap itself does not have an R-value, which is a measure of thermal resistance or insulation. The purpose of a Tyvek house wrap is not to provide insulation, but to act as an air and moisture barrier. It blocks drafts and moistures, helping your insulation to do its job more effectively.

Does house wrap increase R-value?

Low-E Housewrap® works in much the same way. It reflects 97% of radiant heat and adds R-4.17 behind hollow-back vinyl siding. If you pushed all of your windows together, it only makes up about 10%-20% of your wall system.

Is Tyvek a good insulator?

Styrofoam is a great insulator but does not breath. Tyvek breathes but does not insulate.

Does Tyvek make your house warmer?

Tyvek® HomeWrap® can also reduce home energy bills by controlling air flow and water intrusion, which helps insulation work better, allowing the HVAC system to work more efficiently. It's a house wrap engineered to keep homes cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and dry all year round.

Does wall wrap have an R-value?

Wall Wrap XP has an outward facing semi–reflective surface that provides additional R-Value when facing a cavity in brick veneer walls. Not only does Wall Wrap XP provide excellent weather protection it also improves the thermal performance of the wall.

R Value of Insulation - Maintaining Energy Efficient Insulation | DuPont™ Tyvek®

What is the R-value of Tyvek building wrap?

DuPont™ Tyvek® ThermaWrap™ R5. 0 offers the air and water management benefits of all DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers with an R-value of 5.0. Compared to other exterior insulation products, the unique structure of Tyvek® ThermaWrap™ R5.

What wall material has the highest R-value?

Rigid foam board insulation is available in many materials, including polystyrene (R-3.8 to R-5.0), polyurethane (R-5.5 to R-6.5) and polyisocyanurate (R-5.6 to R-8.0). Since it has the highest R-value, rigid foam is typically reserved for foundations and basement walls.

What are the disadvantages of Tyvek?

Tyvek® House Wrap has a tensile strength of only 30/30 lb/in. So, after installation, but before the exterior cladding and final fasteners, Tyvek® House Wrap may be susceptible to damage due to high winds and moisture exposure.

How long can you leave a house wrapped in Tyvek?

Tyvek HomeWrap, Tyvek DrainWrap and Tyvek StuccoWrap should be covered within 120 days (4 months). Tyvek CommercialWrap should be covered within 270 days (9 months). The importance is covering DuPont Tyvek is based on the UV exposure.

Do I need a vapor barrier if I use Tyvek?

Using a Tyvek® weather barrier in combination with a vapor barrier depends on how the rest of the wall system is constructed, and the climate the building is in.

What is better than Tyvek?

FACT: Typar's tear strength is 5 times that of Tyvek's.

Grab strength is the preferred testing method for tear strength, and Typar performs at more than twice the industry standard. This helps better protect the integrity of your weather protection system, which keeps moisture from entering your wall cavity.

What is the thermal resistance of Tyvek?

A material with a low emissivity value is more reflective, making it an effective thermal insulation layer when used with an air gap. Tyvek Reflex, for example, has an emissivity value of 0.09, which means it reflects 91% of radiant heat, resulting in improved thermal comfort and airtightness.

Can I staple Tyvek house wrap?

Fix Tyvek® Housewrap with stainless steel staples or corrosion resistant nails.

Does Tyvek have an R rating?

No, Tyvek house wrap itself does not have an R-value, which is a measure of thermal resistance or insulation. The purpose of a Tyvek house wrap is not to provide insulation, but to act as an air and moisture barrier. It blocks drafts and moistures, helping your insulation to do its job more effectively.

Can you have too high of an R-value insulation?

The optimal R-value for most homes is 30, but you can go as high as 38 if you live in a tropical climate. Anything higher than 38 indicates an over-insulated space.

What are the cons of house wrap?

Before you buy it for your home, consider the drawbacks below.
  • Vulnerability to UV Radiation. Tyvek house wrap is notoriously sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. ...
  • Mold and Moisture Concerns. While Tyvek manages moisture, it's not immune to all moisture-related problems. ...
  • Prone to Damage During Installation.

Can you put 2 layers of Tyvek on a house?

First, let's clarify a crucial point: the best practice for housewrap is not to layer it. Multiple layers of housewrap on a project can hinder the building envelope's drying potential, increasing the risk of undesirable moisture-related failures, and hide water damage to sheathing or structure.

Does Tyvek help insulate?

Properly installed Tyvek® weather barriers create an air barrier system that reduces unwanted air flow and helps maintain insulation R-Value, and keeps people more comfortable.

Is it OK for Tyvek to get wet?

A: Tyvek® is equally strong wet or dry under ordinary conditions and ambient temperature (73.4°F [23°C]). Upon initial exposure, water will not penetrate Tyvek®. With time, or increased water pressure, drops of water will go through Tyvek®.

What can I use instead of Tyvek?

Now there is an alternative. IMPAK's TeknaPore™ offers the same lightweight durability, air permeability, and water resistance capabilities as Tyvek®, but with a company that offers outstanding customer service, flexible print order quantities, and low MOQs for medical and sterilizable pouches.

Why is Tyvek so popular?

With its outstanding microbial barrier properties, lightweight nature, exceptional puncture resistance, tear resistance, and recyclability, Tyvek® is the preferred choice among healthcare professionals and hospitals.

What is the best house wrap?

Tyvek®HomeWrap® exhibited nearly four times the vapor permeability of perforated house wrap, which can only allow vapor to pass through punched holes. The superior vapor permeability of Tyvek® HomeWrap® correlates to decreased wall cavity drying times, and a reduced potential for mold and wood damage.

What is the thinnest insulation with the best R-value?

The thinnest insulation material currently available on the market is the 10mm Aerogel blanket. Its manufacturing technology is highly interesting, and its appearance resembles frozen smoke. For some, aerogel is synonymous with time frozen and suspended in space.

Can you over insulate a house?

It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.

What is the R-value of house wrap?

Engineered to increase R-value in wall systems

Effective in any season, Tyvek® ThermaWrap® LE protects against heat loss in the cold weather and keeps heat out in when the temperature rises. A low-emission surface helps to raise R-values for wall assemblies.

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