What Is Housewrap And Why Is It So Important?
Let’s take a break from discussing insulation and move onto something equally as important: housewrap. Housewrap in Melbourne – and most houses in the world – is quite common but is something that not many people know about. Today, we will explore what housewrap is, what it is used for and whether you need it for your house.
What exactly is it?
As the name suggests, housewrap is essentially a wrap of synthetic material that covers your house, protecting the wall frames. It’s impossible to construct an everyday house that is hardened and protected against all the natural elements of the world, but housewrap makes sure your house is shielded as much as possible.
Housewrap is a thin, lightweight sheet of synthetic material – similar to asphalt-treated paper – that is installed behind the siding and over the sheathing of your house. It can be used in conjunction with any of the following siding materials:
- Wood
- Vinyl
- Brick
- Stucco
- Fiber cement
Some housewrap will work better with certain siding materials than with others. As your local suppliers of housewrap in Melbourne, we will be able to offer further assistance on which two materials are most effective together.
What does housewrap do?
Housewrap stops draughts, moisture and mould from entering your house. For this reason, it is technically classified as a type of water-resistive barrier (WRB). It also greatly protects against strong winds.
The main purpose for housewrap is to keep moisture from entering the wall cavities, so whilst it acts as a strong barrier, if it were to be completely impregnable then the moisture would simply become trapped in the housewrap – leading to mould growth and rot.
What you’ll need to install housewrap
Housewrap can only be effective if it is installed properly. While it is a fiddle process, having all the correct tools will make the installation a lot easier.
Before you consider installing housewrap, you’ll want to make sure you have the necessary items: