When it comes to home construction, some homeowners tend to think that it’s only composed of a few steps. Lay down the foundation, build the walls, add the roof, install the insulation, put in the drywall, and then complete the construction by installing the siding on the home’s exterior. As fun as it would be for home construction to be that simple, the reality is actually more complicated than that and before your siding can be installed, there is another thing that must be added to your home: the house wrap.
In a nutshell, the house wrap is moisture and air barrier that can further help you keep your heating and cooling bills as low as possible. This is because it acts as an additional form of insulation, allowing you to rely less on your HVAC units while keeping your home comfortable all year round. However, this isn’t the only thing that you should know about house wrap. In fact, there are plenty of things that you should know about it.
In this article, the siding installation pros of Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. discuss the FAQs about house wrap that you should know about.
Do I Need House Wrap on a Shed or Garage?
Nowadays, house wrap is a necessary addition for most homes if you want to keep your home comfortable all year round and your energy bills to remain as low as possible. However, some homeowners also wonder if their sheds or garage need house wrap as well. According to experts, house wrap isn’t actually necessary for sheds but if you want to protect its interior and contents from the heat, cold, dust and moisture, you’re more than free to have a professional install it on your shed.
Likewise, house wrap isn’t also necessary for detached garages. But if your garage is constructed alongside your home, your siding installation contractors will usually add it at the same time as your home during the construction phase to improve its insulating properties.
Is House Wrap Really Necessary?
While it may seem like an unnecessary and time-consuming addition to your home, the house wrap is actually a necessary component for every American home, no matter the climate of your area. This is because house wrap can provide an effective moisture barrier for your home. However, believe it or not, the building codes of other areas actually allow homes to go without house wrap and other types of coating. In essence, while home improvement experts strongly recommend that you do so, whether or not you should have a house wrap installed in your home all depends on the building codes of the area you live in.
Do Old Homes Have House Wrap?
According to siding industry pros, if your home was built decades or even a century ago, chances are it doesn’t have house wrap. This is because house wraps are a fairly new addition to home construction and therefore, you can expect very old homes to lack them. Thankfully, if you live in an old home, you’re more than free to retrofit them to include a house wrap. But keep in mind that, depending on the size, age, construction, and siding type of your home, the costs and difficulty of the project can vary. With that in mind, home improvement experts recommend that you first make sure that you’re financially prepared to get a house wrap added to your old home first before actually going through with it.
How Long Can House Wrap Be Exposed to the Elements?
If you’re having your siding replaced and your home has a house wrap, it’s best that you get it done in stages. This is because the house wrap can’t be exposed to the elements for too long. Remember: it’s a thin barrier and leaving it exposed for too long can result in holes, tears, and other forms of damage that can render it ineffective. If the siding replacement project can take longer than expected, on the other hand, consider asking your siding contractor to cover it up first while the construction project is underway.
For assistance in properly installing a house wrap and siding system in your home, don’t hesitate to turn to Peninsula Siding Company, Inc., the one of the country’s leading experts when it comes to installing James Hardie® siding and siding maintenance services.
Is House Wrap Waterproof?
Siding industry pros say that while the house wrap may be a moisture barrier, it’s not 100% invulnerable against water. This means that if you make the mistake of leaving it exposed to water for too long, water can eventually get through it and reduce its effectiveness or even render it useless in the long run. While it may sound odd for the house wrap to not be completely waterproof, keep in mind that since it is usually placed underneath your home’s exterior siding, being completely waterproof isn’t a requirement for a house wrap.
How Long Does House Wrap Last?
Believe it or not, a thin moisture barrier like the house wrap can actually last for as long as your home will. This is due to the fact that it’s installed beneath your siding, allowing it to remain protected for a long time as a result. According to home construction experts, unless your home suffers from a fire or any other form of structural damage, your house wrap should remain in good condition for a long time, giving you little to no reason to have it replaced or changed even though years have passed for your siding and your home.
Planning to have your home’s house wrap replaced? Look no further than Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. When it comes to installing James Hardie siding and siding maintenance projects, we are the leading pros to turn to and we won’t let you down! We have 30 years of experience in the siding industry and we are dedicated to giving homeowners nothing but the best when it comes to products and customer service. You can rely on us for your siding needs! Give us a call at (650) 287-4208 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us and get a free quote today!