Do I need to use house wrap?

Question

I'm building a shed and I'm installing vinyl siding on the exterior. Do I need to use a plastic sheeting type product to wrap the house in before the vinyl siding??

Answer 1

It's worth the effort around here we call it Tyvec It stops moisture and mildew problems. Example: they built some apts. near buy without it the mildew problem got so bad they had to remove all the siding Tyvec the walls and reinstall the siding.

Answer 2

Black Tyvek House Wrap

Answer 3

TYVEK, or similar; still seem to be an industry standard,,,at least here in FL. I have to agree with answer one, that a vapor barrier, especially in this state; is a vapor LOCK as well. I'm a bit saddened in the trades, that houses are built in stages that seem snail slow, and I see it with roof surfaces all the time. MDF/particle board/or low grade sheathing is often left un-papered for days at a time.

If Codes don't state that rquirement, why bother? You could certainly use an exterior Paint, to help seal and protect the sub surface.


Steven Wolf

Answer 4

No plastic, thats where the vapor lock comes from and if you live down south, thats one of the main causes for toxic black mold. Tyvek works great, it makes a nice clean surface to work with, kills the drafts and keeps some bugs out.

Ive had great luck with it when used with Vinyl Siding, it seems to keep alot of the moisture out but doesnt suffocate the structure... cause Vinyl doesnt keep anything out!

Answer 5

It depends on what you're using the shed for. the best thing about tyvek is that it will help keep some of the draft out if you heat the shed. It will also help with insects such as spiders.

Answer 6

They have recently discovered that such plastic sheeting between the wood and the drywall, or between the wood and the siding actually causes more damage to the wood because it can't breath.

Answer 7

if it is a shed don't waste your money on the wrap unless you plan on living in the shed