Install House Wrap Before Starting Your Do It Yourself Siding Project

House wrap is another step in the process of preventing moisture and air intrusion into your home. It is fairly inexpensive, and easy to install, so there is no reason not to use house wrap on your home during your do it yourself siding project.

Tips for Installing House Wrap During Your Do It Yourself Siding Project

House wrap should be installed after your old siding has been removed. Inspect your exterior sheathing prior to installing the house wrap, all holes in your sheathing should be patched with new sheathing. Smaller holes or tears can be taped, but your house wrap should be going over a solid surface in all areas.

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House wrap is available in rolls of various sizes. The length on a roll is usually 100-200 feet, and the widths can range from 3 feet to 10 feet. Use a width based on how many people you have assisting you, a 10 feet width can be difficult for one person to handle, you may be more comfortable with a 3-5 feet roll. Follow these steps prior to installing siding:

• Start at the bottom of your home's walls, and unroll around the house;
• Unroll right over doors and windows, and overlap vertical and horizontal splices at least 6 inches;
• Continue unrolling around the house until you have reached the top of all exterior walls;
• Attach the house wrap with cap nails no farther apart than 18 inches vertically and horizontally;
• Use a manufacturer's recommended tape to close all splices or overlaps, and open outer edges;
• Cut out all window and door openings, and tape the house wrap over the flanges or up to the frame.

Upper pieces of house wrap should always overlap the lower pieces. Caulk or tape the house wrap around all utility connection penetrations. You are now ready to start your do it yourself siding project. While you are installing siding, double check all taped joints, and take care not to tear the house wrap.