Hal Major © 2009
BobVilaContractors.com
If you�ve ever seen new homes under construction, you�ve surely seen house wrap. It�s often a light-colored material covering the exterior walls and goes up before siding, brick or stucco is installed. You can think of it a jacket to protect your home from the elements. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), air infiltrating from the outside typically accounts for about half the energy used to heat or cool a typical home, and house wrap was designed to minimize that effect, among other things. The many benefits of house wrap explains why it�s so commonly used during construction and renovation.
It Resists Water
There are many ways water can penetrate your home�s fa�ade, and house wrap significantly reduces the possibility of moisture damage. Wood, brick and stucco offer some resistance, but they aren't waterproof. Driving wind can force water through cracks and crevices and damage the underlying sheathing or framing of your home. House wrap acts as a drainage system that blocks water that has seeped beneath the exterior and directs it away from your walls.
It Insulates
Going back to the jacket analogy, properly sealed and taped house wrap acts as a windbreaker for your home. This can greatly reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat or cool your house. According to some studies, house wrap can block up to 50% of the air infiltrating your home from the outside.
It Releases Water Vapor
House wrap blocks airflow between the inside and outside of your home, but it still allows your house to breath. Inhibiting the passage of vapors through walls can cause moisture to become trapped inside and lead to rot or mold problems. House wrap allows interior water vapor to flow outside before it can cause problems.
It�s Tough
Besides blocking wind and rain, house wrap can mitigate other problems during the construction process. It�s resistant to UV rays, which can damage wood fibers. House wrap also resists tearing, which keeps it safe from construction mishaps.
It Saves You Money
The cost of purchasing and installing house wrap shouldn�t deter you from using it during your construction or remodeling project. Depending on you which contractor you use, it can cost only several hundred dollars to wrap a typical home. On top of that, house wrap saves on energy costs, and you can quickly recoup the cost of installation.
With so many benefits, it�s hard to imagine anyone foregoing house wrap when building or renovating a home. Choose a good, reputable contractor to ensure the best work and a maximum return on your house wrap investment or from any other kind of remodeling project.
