Why Is Tyvek Used Under Vinyl Siding

The irc 2000 code and our building dept.

Why is tyvek used under vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding can be installed directly over wall sheathing wood siding or stucco. Several areas where the tyvek had shrunk and torn mainly at window corners. What type of wood is used under siding. During a recent repair to our siding we found that the house had no building wrap tyvek under the siding.

It seems that we have two options. To sum it up house wrap is a lightweight paper like material that is most often used to completely cover the house directly on top of the sheathing and behind the vinyl siding. This explains why the house does not retain heat. I ve opened up houses built less than 5 years previous and the tyvek was shreaded like old newspaper.

They were built in the 1950s and 60s the felt was in perfect condition. One would be to remove the siding wrap the house and then reside it. Vinyl siding is not water proof is not intended to be water proof and i don t know a siding manufacturer that claims it to be anything more than a cladding. Its primary purpose is to prevent air and water leaks that may have seeped past the vinyl exterior.

I just finished removing some vinyl siding installed in 1987. I want to replace the tar paper but i can t find it at homedepot or lowes. Installing foam board insulation under vinyl siding today. The wood that goes under residential siding exterior sheathing performs several functions.

Faq s acronym s terminology to tyvek or not to tyvek that is the question. Tyvek was used underneath very poorly installed. That s what the tyvek is for. By doing so however you miss out on the opportunity to add add energy savings to the project.

On the other hand brick stucco and other masonry based sidings can be used with house wrap but your builder will need to use the right type. It adds insulation waterproofing and structural support. Builder omits house wrap under siding. If you ve ever taken vinyl siding off a house the day after a good rain it s all wet back there anyways which is why we insist on tyvek.

Our house was built about seven years ago. Use tyvek over building felt under siding. I ll stick with tried and true felt paper.