Builders' Choice
What's the best product for home building? These builders share their favorites, and explain why they like them so much.
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Jay Brannen
President
Brannen Design and Construction
Fort Collins, Colo.
brannenhomes.com
Tyvek Drain Wrap
One of favorite products right now is a twist on an older version. DuPont Tyvek has now come up with ”Drain Wrap“ . Drain Wrap is a larger and more versatile version of the well used Stucco Wrap. Drain wrap now comes in the 9” length which leads to less waste on bigger projects. It also accommodates less tape joints and in turn saves on the ever precious “tyvek tape”! Drain wrap has the patented pleated drainage plane which we find works well behind many building envelope applications especially a siding product. I also prefer this building wrap for its breathability or vapor perm rating which I believe is around 40-50. Some of the newer or cheaper building wraps have very low perm rating; to which in my humble opinion can “suffocate” the envelope. Not allowing interior wall vapor to escape. Also, with a higher perm rating or vapor permeability rating you can use two layers with confidence. We have also been inclined to combine the Drain Wrap with a higher perm building paper for use behind porous masonry products this can in our opinion create a great double building paper wrap with a built -in drainage plane which is required in many locations However, everyone must take their own climate into consideration.
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Rod and Kim Cullum
Owners
Cullum Homes
Scotsdale, Ariz.
cullumhomes.com
Tyvek Stucco Wrap with Thru-Wall Flashings
We have seen so many improvements in building products and methods in the nearly 30 years we have been in business. The biggest change and impact on sustainability and long-term durability that we have experienced is the use of building wraps and window wraps. This is a critical step in the homebuilding process to assure adequate moisture control and rain plane management. More and more building professionals are recognizing this, but to my amazement I walked through a multi-million dollar home under construction in our market recently and noticed inadequate window wrap and flashing. Lack of attention to this detail carries risk of causing significant issues later on, and is the reason why we use Tyvek products on our jobsites.
