Courtesy of Dupont
House wraps are essential for keeping moisture, dirt, and air out of your home. They shield against water vapor, preventing it from entering into wall systems.
The top house wrap brands will not only protect your house, but it can also improve your home’s energy efficiency.
The best house wrap product you can buy today is the DuPont™ Tyvek HomeWrap. Tyvek has excellent weather resistance properties thanks to its unique non-woven structure, superior strength, and durability.
When choosing the best house wrap for your home, it’s essential to consider the type of material, brand reputation, and product warranties. Keep reading to learn about house wraps and nine of the other top wrap brands available today.
What Is a House Wrap?
A house wrap is a versatile and protective weatherization material used in modern home construction. It’s designed to be an added layer of protection that provides insulation benefits. House wraps create an airtight barrier that traps heat and prevents water from entering your home.
House wraps are usually made from woven fabric or a combination of layers that are held together and attached to your home’s exterior. The most common house wraps are made from polyethylene, a durable plastic material resistant to tearing and cracking.
Other common materials include fiberglass, plastic mesh, and asphalt-based wrap.
The Pros and Cons of House Wrapping
While the protection offered by house wraps can be beneficial in certain situations, homeowners should consider a few potential drawbacks.
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of house wrapping include:
- Improved energy efficiency – by providing an airtight seal around your home, house wrap helps keep warm air inside in the winter and cool air inside in the summer, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs.
- Increased durability – house wraps are designed to protect your home from the elements. They can help prevent water damage, mold, and rot by keeping moisture out of the walls and other areas of the house.
- Easy installation – unlike other forms of weatherization, house wraps are relatively easy to install and don’t require special tools or skills.
On the downside, house wrapping has a few drawbacks:
- Limited ventilation – by creating an airtight seal around your home, wraps can limit ventilation and make it harder for moisture to escape.
- High installation costs – although house wraps are usually easy to install, they can be expensive.
- Reduced fire resistance – certain types are not very fire-resistant and may increase the fire risk.
You can read more about how much money you can save with the proper insulation here.
The Nine Best House Wrap Brands
When choosing the best house wrap for your home, it’s essential to consider the type of material, brand reputation, and product warranties.
Here are nine of the best house wrap brands available today:
DuPont™ Tyvek HomeWrap
Tyvek is a fascinating material that consists of 100% synthetic, high-density spun, bound polyethylene fibers. It’s lightweight, durable, and breathable. Additionally, Tyvek is resistant to water, abrasion, bacterial penetration, and aging.
Because of its properties, Tyvek is used in many applications across different industries. For example, the construction industry often uses Tyvek as a weather-resistant barrier.
It can also be used in HVAC systems to protect against air leakage. Furthermore, Tyvek helps to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
It’s no doubt that Tyvek is a versatile material with many uses. Homeowners who choose Tyvek HomeWrap can rest assured that they are making a wise choice for their homes.
TYPAR DrainableWrap Peel and Stick
Keeping your home dry is key to keeping it in tip-top shape. Moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and other damage that could cost you time and money. That’s why TYPAR DrainableWrap Peel and Stick is an essential product for your home.
Here’s why we recommend this brand:
- TYPAR DrainableWrap Peel and Stick is designed to have an integrated drainage gap – this feature allows it to get rid of moisture quicker than other house wraps.
- It is available in 58″ rolls, so you can quickly and easily seal off all points of unwanted intrusion.
- It’s specifically designed for wet climates – you can rest assured that the DrainableWrap Peel and Stick will protect your home against the elements. So if you’re looking for a reliable way to keep your home dry, Typar DrainableWrap is the perfect solution.
Dow WeatherMate Plus Housewrap
Are you concerned about water or air infiltration in your home? If so, consider the WeatherMate Plus Housewrap from Dow.
This self-adhesive, non-woven wrap is designed to act as an effective barrier against water and air infiltration. It’s an affordable yet effective way to protect your home from the elements.
Here’s why we think it’s the perfect solution for many homes:
- Weathermate Plus is made from a polyolefin-based material – it’s robust and durable yet flexible enough to conform to your home’s exterior.
- It features a reinforced water vapor permeability – this feature allows water to escape from the walls, helping to prevent mold and mildew growth.
James Hardie HardieWrap Weather Barrier
James Hardie’s HardieWrap Weather Barrier is designed to resist air leakage and is engineered for all climates. It has two barriers—one for cold and wet environments and the other for hot and humid climates.
Here’s why this product stands out:
- HardieWrap Weather Barrier contains a MicroTech coating – this feature makes it uniquely resistant to water damage. It also allows moisture vapor to escape, drying out the wall cavity and preventing further water intrusion.
- It’s more robust than other 11-millimeter (0.5-inch) thick sheets on the market – HardieWrap Weather Barrier is an excellent choice for those in areas with severe weather conditions.
To know more about vapor barriers, read our guide here.
Benjamin Obdyke HydroGap
When it comes to protecting your home from moisture damage, HydroGap is an excellent choice. This breathable, self-adhering house wrap is designed for extreme climate conditions.
Here’s why it can be perfect for your home:
- It offers continuous sealing – the wrap is designed to ensure that all fasteners are tightly sealed to create a consistent barrier between the interior and exterior of the home.
- It features 16 US Perms that enable moisture to evaporate quickly. So, rest assured that HydroGap will prevent humidity from damaging the sidewall materials.
- Its three-ply construction comes with an additional layer – the structure creates a watertight barrier defended on either side by tough non-woven layers.
- It drains at least twice as fast as other drainable wraps – thanks to HydroGap, you can be sure that your home is protected from moisture damage. So if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line house wrap that will protect your home for years, this is the one for you.
CertainTeed CertaWrap
Rising moisture levels in homes can lead to mold and mildew growth, structural damage, and unhealthy living. Therefore, you must take the necessary steps during construction to ensure your home is properly protected from excess moisture.
CertainTeed’s CertaWrap Standard Housewrap is an absorbent fabric that won’t allow water damage. It will protect your house from mold, mildew, and other moisture.
Using the CertaWrap during construction is essential for two reasons:
- It creates an extra layer of protection against rising moisture levels – CertaWrap protects your home from moisture and guards against air and water infiltration.
- It keeps your newly built home fresh and comfortable – when appropriately applied, CertaWrap stops moist air from getting inside walls, preventing mold growth and unwanted smells.
By using CertaWrap Standard Housewrap, you can be sure that you’re taking the best step to prevent problems with rising moisture levels in your home.
Kingspan GreenGuard MAX Building Wrap
GreenGuard MAX Building Wrap is an excellent choice for a high-quality, durable building wrap. This product is cross-woven and breathable, making it resistant to rain before installation and water that could seep through the cladding afterward.
Here are two features that make it stand out:
- GreenGuard MAX is UV-stable for up to six months – you don’t have to worry about it breaking down in sunlight.
- It comes in various-sized rolls – perfect for any residential and commercial building project.
For any homeowner who wants a long-lasting building wrap, GreenGuard MAX is an excellent choice.
Raven Industries Rufco House Wrap
Are you looking to make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable?
Here’s why Raven Industries’ Rufco House Wrap is a great option:
- It’s the only house wrap that uses three layers of cross-laminated Valeron film to create an effective barrier against moisture and air infiltration.
- The breathable material allows trapped humidity to escape to the exterior—in effect, it reduces mold and mildew growth.
- It is designed to seal cracks and seams in the exterior sheathing, reducing drafts and cold areas in the winter and keeping hot, humid air out in the summer.
- The translucent design lets you see through it to the material below, so you can quickly check for any potential problems.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, Rufco House Wrap is worth considering.
Barricade Barricade House Wrap
This wrap protects your home from water damage, solar vapor drive, and wind damage. The high-density polyethylene fabric is see-through, making it easy to install near windows or doors.
Here are a few additional features that make Barricade House Wrap an ideal choice for homes in sunny climates:
- Barricade is UV-protected for up to 12 months.
- The wrap tears less easily than other brands making it more durable and long-lasting.
Barricade House Wrap is an excellent option if you’re looking for a reliable house wrap that offers excellent protection against water, solar vapor drive, and wind damage.
Sources
- Architect Magazine: Building Wrap Material Basics
- Hedrick Construction: The Benefits of House Wrap
- DuPont: What is Tyvek
- Typar: TYPAR Drainablewrap™ Peel and Stick
- James Hardie: HardieWrap® Weather Barrier
- Benjamin Obdyke: HydroGap® Drainable Housewrap
- Build Site: CertaWrap Weather Resistant Barrier
- Kingspan: GreenGuard MAX Building Wrap
- Barricade: Why You Need House Wrap
- CDN Media: WEATHERMATE™ Plus Housewrap
- Barricade: Barricade® House Wrap