Do you need house wrap with foam board?

One of the biggest questions homeowners have about house wrap is whether it can be installed together with foam insulation. The answer, happily, is yes. In fact, the two products combined make your home super-insulated from outside wind and weather.

Does house wrap go over or under foam board?

Simplifying the decision

If you are installing “innie” windows, your housewrap should go under the foam. If you are installing “outie” windows, your housewrap should go over the foam.

Do you need vapor barrier with foam board?

Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.

Does Tyvek go over or under foam board?

DuPont™ Tyvek® wraps can be installed UNDER or OVER exterior foam insulation. The DuPont™ Tyvek® wrap should be installed on the same plane as the window flanges to allow for the most effective installation.

Can you insulate a house with foam board?

Because of its resistance to moisture, foam board insulation is a great choice whenever and wherever there is a chance it could get wet, such as: an exterior foundation, inside a basement against the foundation, and on the outside of a house beneath a house wrap.

Tyvek - House Wrap - Fanfold - XPS Foam Board Insulation - (Best Value)

Is XPS foam board a vapor barrier?

XPS is manufactured in both an unfaced form or with different plastic facings. However, XPS is considered a vapor retarder, not a vapor barrier.

Do you need Tyvek with foam insulation?

You don't need Tyvek for air sealing on a foamed home. As has been stated, vinyl siding needs it for waterproofing the subsiding. Other siding systems might be able to do without it, but it's a cheap insurance policy. As noted above, housewrap performs two functions, as an air barrier and as a secondary drainage plane.

Does house wrap have an R value?

Use Tyvek® HomeWrap® weatherization system underneath your siding, stucco or brick. The average wall has 3-1/2 inches of insulation which, under ideal conditions, has an installed R- value of R-14.

Can I use 2 layers of Tyvek?

There is no problem with doing this. Housewrap is "breathable" by design so you won't trap moisture anywhere. You could build a wall with ten layers of housewrap and it would be more durable, not less.

Do you tape foam board insulation?

Installing Rigid Foam Sheathing

Insulation sheathing membranes rely on tape to complete the air barrier; the tapes should be applied on a clean, dry, warm surface.

Does rigid foam insulation need to be covered?

Tests have shown that these laminated boards can withstand UV ray damage for a reasonably long time. That said, it's still advisable to cover any foam board insulation exposed to the Sun within 30-60 days at the most. On most projects, that's more than enough time to finish the exterior walls.

Can exterior foam insulation cause mold and moisture problems?

The benefit of foam insulation in the exterior wall when it comes to moisture is it doesn't provide a favorable material for mold to grow in and most foam products contain no food value for mold. Foam insulation also creates a needed air seal that will keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient.

What goes first house wrap or foam board?

Some builders think that homes with “picture frame” window construction—where windows are framed with strapping lumber before windows are installed—should have the rigid foam go on first, with the house wrap over that. Both ways effectively prevent air leaks and infiltration.

Can you staple house wrap?

Tyvek says you can use 4 staples per 9 feet of house wrap if you tape over them an apply the siding right away. But a cap stapler is better. Apply house wrap up the gables before installing exterior trim, even if the attic is not conditioned.

Is house wrap 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.

What is the R-value of rigid foam board?

Extruded polystyrene: Extruded polystyrene (XPS) rigid foam is usually blue or pink in color, with a smooth plastic surface. XPS panels typically aren't faced with other material. The R-value is about R-5.

What is the thinnest insulation with the highest R-value?

Aerogel insulation offers the highest R-value of any insulating material at less weight and thickness—ideal for construction, refineries, pipelines, and thin-gap thermal barriers.

Does house wrap help with insulation?

House wrap is a moisture and air barrier, and also provides a radiant barrier that helps to reduce heating and cooling costs by acting as an additional form of insulation.

Does Tyvek go over sheathing?

Should Tyvek^® weather barrier be placed over or under building sheathing? DuPont^™ Tyvek^® weather barriers can be used either over or under sheathing. When Tyvek^® is used under sheathing, it functions only as an air barrier, and does not protect the sheathing as a secondary weather barrier.

Which house wrap is best?

Originally, asphalt-laden felt paper was thought to be the best type of house wrap on the market. In fact, it's still available, along with other house wrap solutions. However, Dupont's Tyvek HomeWrap® is considered by most in the building profession to be the industry leader.

How thick should foam board insulation be?

Most panels range between 3/8″ and 2.5″ in thickness, though other dimensions and thicknesses are usually available through custom order.

What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?

Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company.