When it comes to choosing the right siding for your home, you’ll need to take several factors into account. Aside from your home’s architectural style and type of siding material, you’ll also have to consider whether a house wrap is needed before the siding is installed. Will your home actually need one, or is it an unnecessary addition?
About the House Wrap
A house wrap is a protective covering made of paper, fabric or board material. It protects the exterior sheathing of the house walls against the elements, including high winds and moisture intrusion.
As a wind barrier, it helps seal gaps and leaks in plywood sheathing or oriented strand board (OSB) panels, preventing drafts from reaching your home’s insulation. Because it is also made with a permeable material, water vapor can travel through it while keeping out water droplets. With this, the house wrap can inhibit mold growth.
Is the House Wrap Necessary?
Siding companies usually make the final call when it comes to using house wrap. For the most part, its addition is usually dependent on the type of siding material that will be installed. Wood, for instance, has seams where the boards overlap. Since it can be susceptible to water infiltration, it can benefit from a house wrap. The same can be said for siding made of either vinyl or aluminum, which can also water to enter the cracks formed at the joined sections.
Siding made of brick, stucco or other masonry-based material may also require a house wrap. The installers, however, have to use the right type to make sure moisture doesn’t find its way into the wall cavities and cause problems. Ultimately, the decision to add the house wrap before installing the siding will be up to your chosen siding contractor’s recommendations.
Hill Roofing Corporation is the leading siding and roof installation services provider in the area. We offer outstanding products and warranties from top-notch manufacturers like James Hardie® and CertainTeed®. Call us today at (703) 754-0964, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve homeowners in Manassas, VA, and the surrounding communities.
