tar paper vs tyvek

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07-11-03, 08:18 AM

nicb

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tar paper vs tyvek

Hi,
I posted a similar question in a different forum and didn't get much of a response.

Anyway, I'm having my house resided with HardiPlank lap siding. Before putting on the siding I want to have a moisture barrier installed. Some contractors have suggested tar paper while other have suggested Tyvek (Dupont product). Does anyone have any experience with Tyvek? It worries me that it is an unproved product since no one really responed to my last posting. Are there any pros/cons between tar paper and Tyvek?

If you were residing your house which would you choose?

Any help would be appriciated.

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07-11-03, 11:02 AM

jmiddleton

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Tyvek has been around for over 20 years, represents a huge improvement over tar paper and has been used in most new construction for at least 10 years. It is thoroughly proven. Unlike tar paper, Tyvek provides a complete air barrier to block drafts as long as the seams are properly taped - this can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your insulation. It also breaths, allowing water vapor trapped inside the wall to escape. More info at http://www.tyvek.com.

I was an early adopter when I built my first house in 1982 and am using it again as I re-side my current house.

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07-11-03, 08:52 PM

bungalow jeff

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Tyvek has proven a good wrap for new construction, however older homes wrapped with it during renovations tend to have moisture trapped inside the framing, particularly with cellulose insulation in place. Tyvek fails miserably under any cedar siding. Something in the cedar breaks down the material. House wraps are actually a heated debate. Go to the Breaktime Forum at the Fine Homebuilding site and search the archives for several knock-down debates with many good points raised by all sides.

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07-12-03, 05:08 AM

Jack the Contractor

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Tyvak is the wrap you want. Been around for 20 years. One of the best things that has happened to the building industry for years. As Jeff said, do not use it with cedar siding. It also says this on the tyvak box. Use it, you will love it and it is a great barrier. Good Luck.

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07-12-03, 06:28 AM

jmiddleton

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Tyvek can be safely used with cedar (and other wood sidings) if they are properly back-primed. Current best practice also requires building a rain screen which can be as simple as vertical furring strips between the housewrap and siding to give water that penetrates the siding a chance to escape. You can't avoid the problem by using tar paper - Tyvek performed as well or better than 15lb felt paper when both were tested by the University of Massachusetts.

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07-12-03, 09:48 AM

bungalow jeff

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Just to clarify for nicb, Tyvek and Hardiplank WILL give you a quality product.

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07-12-03, 08:38 PM

Jack the Contractor

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I should have made a better clarification on the cedar with tyvak.
Yes, it can be used with a spacer. My error.

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