Tyvek house wrap has been one of the most popular choices for protecting homes from moisture and air infiltration during construction for years, but as with any building material, it’s not without its drawbacks. Before you buy, you should be aware of its potential issues. The right house wrap can make or break your construction project in areas with high rain and humidity.
Luckily, Tyvek house wrap is hardly the only option on the market. Read on to learn more about Tyvek house wrap problems, how to avoid them, and what alternatives you can choose from.
What Is Tyvek House Wrap?
Tyvek house wrap is a synthetic material that acts as a barrier between a home’s exterior cladding and its structural framing. House wrap keeps water out while allowing water vapor to escape, preventing moisture buildup within your walls. You can also add house wrap around windows and doors.
Tyvek House Wrap Problems
While Tyvek is generally effective, there are several issues that homeowners and contractors should know about if they use it. Before you buy it for your home, consider the drawbacks below.
Vulnerability to UV Radiation
Tyvek house wrap is notoriously sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This is a problem because exposure to sunlight can compromise the material, making it less protective over time.
Effects of UV Exposure
If you expose Tyvek house wrap to sunlight for prolonged periods, it can cause several problems. Mainly, it makes it less water resistant. As its tensile strength diminishes, it becomes less capable of withstanding physical stresses.
UV exposure can also cause discoloration or staining, making repairs more noticeable. We recommend that you don’t leave Tyvek open to the elements for more than 120 days. However, this limitation can be problematic, especially if you have construction delays.
Long-Term Consequences
UV exposure isn’t just a short-term issue. Over time, it can lead to an increased risk of water infiltration, frequent repairs, and plenty of home maintenance costs.
We recommend covering the Tyvek promptly so you avoid these issues. If your construction project is facing delays, consider alternative wraps with a higher UV resistance.
Mold and Moisture Concerns
While Tyvek manages moisture, it’s not immune to all moisture-related problems. Two of its main issues are mold growth and sensitivity to surfactants.
Surfactant Sensitivity
Surfactants, which are present in many common building materials and cleaning products, have more of an effect on Tyvek than on other types of house wrap. When surfactants come into contact with Tyvek, they can allow water to pass through more easily. This can lead to moisture penetration into wall cavities and other types of water damage.
Mold Growth Risks
The combination of moisture penetration and lack of surfactant resistance can create ideal conditions for mold growth. Mold not only damages building materials, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can also pose health risks to occupants. Prolonged exposure to mold can cause a range of health issues, from respiratory problems to allergic reactions.
Prone to Damage During Installation
For house wrap to be effective, it has to be durable. However, Tyvek can be prone to certain types of damage during the construction process.
Tearing and Puncturing
Tyvek house wrap has a tensile strength of 30 pounds per square inch, which may not be enough to withstand heavy construction. It could tear from tools or sharp edges, causing more serious integrity issues. Punctures from nails or other fasteners are also common, which could compromise Tyvek’s barrier integrity.
Installation Challenges
To make sure Tyvek doesn’t rip, contractors have to exercise extra care to avoid damaging the material. This can slow down the construction process and potentially increase labor costs. However, it’s still better than damaging the Tyvek because it could cause more serious problems down the line.
High Vapor Penetration
While vapor transmission is important for preventing moisture buildup in walls, Tyvek’s high permeability can sometimes be problematic.
Tyvek house wrap has a perm rating of 56, which is significantly higher than the ideal range of 10 to 20 perms for most applications. This high permeability can lead to vapor intrusion into wall cavities, which could cause condensation issues in your walls. Once you get condensation in your walls, you may face structural issues, water damage, and all kinds of headaches that you probably want to avoid.
Balancing Moisture Management
Finding the right balance of vapor transmission and excessive moisture is always a challenge. In some climates or building designs, this high permeability may not be ideal. In others, it could be perfectly fine.
For bigger projects, consult with a building science professional about your specific needs. An expert perspective can prevent a lot of missteps with construction.
Difficult Application Process
Unlike some transparent house wraps, Tyvek is opaque. This lack of transparency can create challenges during installation, especially when accurately aligning seams and overlaps. These steps are important, but Tyvek’s opacity makes it harder and increases the risk that you’ll install it improperly. However, there are plenty of other opaque house wraps on the market, so they’re hardly the only product with this issue.
Alternatives to Tyvek House Wrap
Given the potential issues with Tyvek, homeowners may want to explore alternative house wrap options. Some alternatives offer better performance in specific areas, but you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each material before buying.
Barricade Building Wrap, which is more tear-resistant, GreenGuard MAX, which is breathable and cross-woven, and Owens Corning Pinkwrap, which has great tensile strength, are just a few alternatives that are worth considering for your construction.
Conclusion
Tyvek has its share of problems, but it’s still a reputable choice for house wrap. However, it’s important to remember that Tyvek isn’t the only player in the game. If you’re looking for something more durable or with fewer moisture issues, you can’t go wrong with the alternatives above.
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