--- title: Properly Applied House Wrap; Critical to Your SIP Home's Health description: Properly Applied House Wrap; Critical to Your SIP Home's Health image: https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_3346.jpg --- [![Enercept Structural Insulated Panels](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20copy.gif?width=1643&height=903&name=Logo%20copy.gif "Enercept Structural Insulated Panels")](http://www.enercept.com) The Future Of Framing [Content Title](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/properly-applied-housewrap-critical-to-your-sip-home-health#) Description < Previous page Next page > Menu [Content Title](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/properly-applied-housewrap-critical-to-your-sip-home-health#) Description < Previous page Next page > ### ABOUT ### Applications ### Products ### Resources ### Find Enercept ### Projects ### CONTACT ### Categories Filter Here - [SIPs (124)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sips) - [Structural Insulated Panels (71)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/structural-insulated-panels) - 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[homebuilders (1)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/homebuilders) - [sipshabitathouse (1)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sipshabitathouse) ### Recent Posts ![NewTown-31](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/NewTown-31.jpg) [SIPs Underground; Five Smart Reasons to Use Below-Grade SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-underground-five-smart-reasons-to-use-below-grade-sips) ![](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_1570.jpeg) [Do Higher Lumber Prices Make Building With SIPs More Attractive?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/do-higher-lumber-prices-make-building-with-sips-more-attractive) ![](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Weaver.jpg) [Are SIPs Right for Your Build? Do the Research.](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/are-sips-right-for-you-do-the-research-1) ![Enercept University Class of 2023](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/2-Mar-22-2023-02-15-13-6741-PM.jpg) [Enercept University 2023: Take Your Building Skills to the Next Level!](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/enercept-university-2023-take-your-building-skills-to-the-next-level) ![contractors-guide-ebook2](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/E-BOOKS/contractors-guide-ebook2.png) [SIPs vs. Sticks; Contractors' Guide to Using SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-vs-sticks-contractors-guide-to-using-sips) # Properly Applied House Wrap; Critical to Your SIP Home's Health Posted by [Roberta Bartel](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/author/enerceptadmin) on December 5, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### **Protecting your building **envelope Air leakage can impact your building's durability. Wet wooden sheathing can rot and break down,  diminishing your structure's strength.  ![hangar-33](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/hangar-33.jpg?width=400&name=hangar-33.jpg) **Managing moisture with house wrap** As humans, we rely on water to survive, but for buildings, it can contribute to the early deterioration of the exterior shell. When moist air hits a cooler surface, water vapor in the air can condense, collect, and be absorbed in your SIP wall assembly. It is important to minimize the risk of damage by effectively managing the flow of air into and out of the building. With the oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing of SIP panels, an added weather-resistant barrier or house wrap is needed to reduce unwanted moisture intrusion. Properly installed house wrap can help prevent water from reaching the wall surface and breathes to help trapped moisture escape. **Permeability** Water can get to your exterior sheathing in a number of ways.  One of the key areas of concern is improper flashing. Bad flashing at rough openings such as windows and doors are places where water typically finds its way into a structure.  The answer is a balance.  You don't want your house wrap to be too vapor open so the inward vapor drive is slowed, but not too vapor closed, so the the wall can still dry out. Other variables in the equation include your climate and the type of cladding used, so you will want to check with the manufacturer for recommendations. **Air leakage** Reducing air infiltration with a continuous air barrier (like SIP construction) can reduce energy consumption by 40%-60%.  This may also increase the value of commercial buildings by reducing operating costs.   An increasing number of homeowners and organizations concerned about reducing their carbon footprint are working to achieve that elusive goal of Net Zero Building Design. Minimizing air leakage and careful design of the building envelope is critically important for achieving net-zero energy consumption. Air leakage is a major cause of moisture intrusion.  The tight nature of SIPs minimizes air leakage and reduces moisture extrusion and intrusion through the walls and roof.  The result is a healthier home and better indoor air quality. **SIP walls are tight without house wrap, but they need a drainage plane material.  Enercept recommends and uses Tyvek Home Wrap. ** ![Tyvek house wrap](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8-29-12%20(2).jpg?width=300&name=8-29-12%20(2).jpg) Additionally, because SIPs are tight, it is crucial that you install a mechanical ventilation system (air-exchanger).  This equipment will maintain your indoor air quality and protect your SIP system from inside humidity. **Learn more:**   [![Enercept Construction Guide E-BOOK DOWNLOAD](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3823653/26b4f2eb-a5e5-4407-b80b-7af3afb73e8e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3823653/26b4f2eb-a5e5-4407-b80b-7af3afb73e8e) Topics: [SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sips) ### you may also like ![The Process of Custom Design in Five Easy Steps](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/17.jpg) #### [The Process of Custom Design in Five Easy Steps](https://www.enercept.com/blog/the-process-of-custom-design-in-five-easy-steps) ![SIPs - The Builder's Choice When Disasters Strike](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/FB_IMG_1573046248407.jpg) #### [SIPs - The Builder's Choice When Disasters Strike](https://www.enercept.com/blog/sips-the-builders-choice-when-disasters-strike) ![What Makes a SIP Home a Healthier Home?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_20191003_144634.jpg) #### [What Makes a SIP Home a Healthier Home?](https://www.enercept.com/blog/what-makes-a-sip-home-a-healthier-home) ![What's The #1 Reason To Build With SIPs?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Roof_Panels_Pic-2.jpg) #### [What's The #1 Reason To Build With SIPs?](https://www.enercept.com/blog/its-not-too-late-be-working-inside-before-snow-flies-outside-0) ![What Else Should I Ask? F.A.Q. About Structural Insulated Panels.](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/display.jpg) #### [What Else Should I Ask? F.A.Q. About Structural Insulated Panels.](https://www.enercept.com/blog/what-else-should-i-ask-f.a.q.-about-structural-insulated-panels) [![logosmallwebsite](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logosmallwebsite.png?width=113&name=logosmallwebsite.png "logosmallwebsite")](https://www.enercept.com/) ### CONTACT US: 3100 9th Ave SE Watertown, SD 57201 Phone: ([605) 882-2222](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/properly-applied-housewrap-critical-to-your-sip-home-health#) Fax: ([605) 882-2753](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/properly-applied-housewrap-critical-to-your-sip-home-health#) E-mail: [info@enercept.com](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/properly-applied-housewrap-critical-to-your-sip-home-health#) ### ABOUT ### Products ### Applications ### Resources ### Find Enercept ### Projects [Terms & Conditions](http://www.enercept.com/terms-conditions) [Privacy Policy](http://www.enercept.com/privacy-policy) [Site Map](https://www.enercept.com/sitemap) © Copyright 2018 Enercept, Inc. 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