Should house wrap be tight?

Author: Johnathon Hamill  |  Last update: Sunday, August 24, 2025

Be sure to pull the building wrap snug and avoid wrinkles and creases. Proper building wrap overlaps, vertically and horizontally 4” to 6”.

Is house wrap air tight?

Properly installed, high-quality house wraps can help stop the air flow across a building's envelope and create an airtight, high-performance building. A quality house wrap must be tear, UV, and cold resistant, and easy to install.

Does Tyvek have to be tight?

Note: Inside corners should be tight to the corner. STEP 6 After water-resistive barrier is installed refer to the DuPont™ Flashing Systems Installation Guidelines to prepare and flash windows and doors.

How much should a house wrap overlap?

Most house wrap manufacturer installation instructions have minimum horizontal overlaps of 4-6 inches and minimum vertical overlaps of 6 -12 inches. Most also require or recommend 1 in.

Should house wrap be stapled?

Staples are fine, tape those if they are ripping the house wrap otherwise they are fine untaped. The cap staples are recommended as they resist wind damage longer if siding won't be installed for a while but I really generally only use staples.

3 Reasons You Need To Use House Wrap

What is the best way to fasten house wrap?

The Best Way To Install Housewrap
  1. Step 1: 12” overlap and 1” overlap on the sill plate. ...
  2. Step 2: Use plastic-capped nails to attach the building wrap Additionally, when installing a building wrap over metal frames, you'll want to use screws and washers.

Do you tape all house wrap seams?

Most housewrap manufacturers require that every house wrap seam — vertical and horizontal — be sealed with tape, ensuring that the tape is wide enough to sufficiently cover the seam.

How do you secure a house wrap?

Today, most house wrap manufacturers require their product to be installed with cap nails or cap staples. This change definitely slows down the process, but on the upside, capped fasteners hold house wrap to the wall up to 25 times better than staples.

Is 2 layers of house wrap ok?

While layering housewraps may not be the optimal choice in most situations, there are instances where it can be a viable solution. Understanding the specific circumstances, the condition of the existing housewrap, and the role of each layer in the system is crucial.

Is it OK to overlap Tyvek?

It is important to maintain the continuity of the DuPont™ Tyvek® WRB from bottom to top with proper shingling. Starting from the bottom of the structure, continue wrapping all the way up, overlapping the previous layer of Tyvek® WRB by a minimum of 6”.

Does water go through Tyvek?

With time, or increased water pressure, drops of water will go through Tyvek®. It is suggested that customers should test the performance of Tyvek® for their specific application. Q7: Is Tyvek® breathable? A: Tyvek® is breathable, which means water vapor and gases can go through Tyvek®.

How long can you leave a house wrap exposed?

How long should Tyvek® WB be exposed before it is covered with siding? Tyvek® HomeWrap® and Tyvek® StuccoWrap®, Tyvek® DrainWrap and Tyvek® ThermaWrap should be covered within 120 days (4 months). Tyvek® CommercialWrap®should be covered within 270 days (9 months).

Does Tyvek need an air gap?

Should there be a vented cavity/airspace on the outside of the Tyvek® wall membrane? Yes, to allow vapour to escape to the outside atmosphere. The cavity/airspace may be vented naturally through cladding/tile joints, or ventilated with airbricks, vents etc.

Does water get behind a house wrap?

A housewrap can eventually lose its repellency and allow water to soak through to underlying sheathing, etc. Some housewraps are specifically designed with coatings that resist surfactants. Drainable housewrap provides space to carry water away, mitigating surfactant-induced damage.

What is the difference between Tyvek and house wrap?

TYPAR® laminated house wrap relies on a fragile film to keep air and water out. The film can be scratched or torn during installation, allowing water to seep into exterior walls. With DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap®, air and bulk water holdout is integral—built into the material itself.

How often should I nail a house wrap?

2) Secure BreatheEZ™ housewrap firmly in place by fastening it every 12″ to 18″ along the vertical studs using large-headed or plastic cap nails or 1″ crown staples. You may install it over wood-based sheathing, foam insulated sheathing, fiberboard sheathing, or exterior gypsum board.

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 new Tyvek over old Tyvek?

Yes, DuPont Tyvek can be installed over old house wrap as long as the existing house wrap is Tyvek.

How much should house wrap overlap?

A minimum of a 1" (25.4 mm) overlap on the sill plate is required. For maximum protection, a 2-4"(51-102 mm) overlap on the sill plate is recommended. Be sure to pull the building wrap snug and avoid wrinkles and creases. Proper building wrap overlaps, vertically and horizontally 4” to 6”.

What is the proper way to install house wrap?

The Best Way to Install Housewrap
  1. Step 1: 12-inch overlap and 1-inch overlap on the sill plate. ...
  2. Step 2: Use plastic-capped nails to attach the building wrap. ...
  3. Step 3: Overlap bottom layer by 6 inches, ensure proper shingling, and cover all seams using tape. ...
  4. Step 4: Inspect for rips and tears.

Is it okay to staple Tyvek house wrap?

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

What happens if you don't use house wrap?

Primarily, a house wrap prevents water and moisture from seeping through the wall cavity of the home. By installing a house wrap before your siding installation, you can reduce the likelihood of wood rot, mold growth and moisture infiltration in your home.

Does siding go over house wrap?

Yes, House Wrap Does Come First!

Whether you're installing James Hardie siding or not, house wrap is always applied first. The experts place the material in the proper orientation to achieve maximum insulation.

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