Yes, House Wrap Does Come First! Often, those installing foam insulation ask, “Do I put house wrap on first or second?” Whether you're installing
When installing house wrap with rigid foam, it should typically go under the insulation.
Tyvek gets installed first, insulation goes on top
Installing the WRB directly to the sheathing allows for the best possible moisture seal around windows, doors, and other penetrations. Tyvek DrainWrap is the recommended WRB to use under any panelized product, including rigid insulation.
Even the United States Department of Energy (DOE) agrees that “when new siding is to be installed, it is a good idea to consider adding insulation under new siding.”
The housewrap is used to flash the framing before the window is installed. After installation, it gets counterflashed. Both are critical.
Wrap the entire wall surface including unconditioned spaces. Lap Tyvek® WRB over all flashing (e.g. step flashing, wall to roof intersections and through wall flashings).
We generally recommend house wrap behind vinyl siding, but always base your final decision on careful consideration of your local climate, home design, budget, and long-term goals.
While vinyl flooring lacks natural insulation properties, adding insulation under vinyl flooring can improve warmth and comfort in a room. However, this can be tricky, as vinyl requires a hard, even surface for installation.
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.
Yes. DuPont™ Tyvek® is compatible, and can be installed with foam insulation products.
Before insulating, seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs. If it is located in a conditioned part of the house, also remember to insulate and air seal your attic access. Insulate and air seal any knee walls -- vertical walls with attic space directly behind them -- in your home as well.
For max protection, aim for 2-4” Building wrap should be installed from the foundation upward, making sure to overlap joints with the higher course overlapping the lower. First, start at the bottom of one end of the wall with the printed side facing out. When starting at a corner, overlap by a minimum of 12”.
Repair of larger tears in house wrap requires a taped 6-inch overlap of house wrap. Not sealing the bottom edges of the house wrap can lead to air leaks. Air leaks can occur if the house wrap is cut to lie flat before installing siding, but not repaired.
Is DuPont Tyvek a vapor barrier? No, DuPont Tyvek is not a vapor barrier. It is breathable, allowing moisture vapor to pass through it.
Plastic cap nails or plastic cap staples are highly recommended for fastening the building wrap. Simply put, the use of caps seals holes made by the penetration of the fasteners.
Insulation beneath the floors of your home and along foundation walls can help improve energy efficiency and preserve your home's air quality.
If you want to save money and get better insulation, you should consider adding extra insulation under your vinyl siding. Vinyl siding looks great, is cost-efficient, and insulating it can add more money into your pocket, too.
Rubber is one of the best choices for underlayment because it is super versatile. It protects your floor from mold and mildew and protects your ears from hollow sounding floors. In fact, it is one of the most sound absorbing and insulating underlayments out there.
The most common mistake when installing vinyl siding is not leaving enough overlap between panels, which results in a messy and unkempt look.
But is housewrap required by code? The short answer? Yes. A weather resistive barrier has been a part of the International Residential Code since 2006 and has been widely accepted in local codes since then.
Sheathing/Backerboard
Vinyl siding should be applied over a sheathing that provides a smooth, flat surface. Consult local building codes for sheathing requirements. Vinyl siding must never be applied directly to studs without sheathing.
Underlayment or weather-resistive barrier (WRB) is installed between the siding and the sheathing. This can be tar paper or a house wrap, such as HardieWrap® or Tyvek HomeWrap®.
For that reason, most contractors recommend replacing the roof, windows, siding, and gutters—in that order. The logic is simple: install in a way that prevents damage to new projects caused by previous projects. If you install siding first, a new roof installation could damage the siding.