Tag: water resistive barrier

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How to install a Window When Using a Self-Adhered WRB

The first time I used a self-adhered water resistive barrier was in 2019, on my own home.  I had recently purchased a 1950’s vintage Cape Cod design fixer upper that was built using board sheathing covered by 15 lb. asphalt impregnated felt.  I knew I wanted to improve the water management and air tightness of the structure but didn’t want to upgrade the sheathing.  I had been researching self-adhered WRB’s and decided that option would be the best fit based on what I was trying to accomplish.

For the exterior renovation at my home, the Henry Blueskin product was installed over the board sheathing. The assembly also includes a 3/8-inch furring strip for a ventilated rainscreen.

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How to Integrate a Window into a Water Resistive Barrier

The building science community talks a lot about control layers.  I’ve written on the topic several times, basic overview of these principles which can be found at: A Crash Course on the Four Control Layers.  Let’s take a deeper look at water resistive barriers (WRB) and how windows and doors need to be integrated into the WRB.

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Where to Locate the WRB when using Continuous Insulation-Inside or Out?

This post first appeared on the Green Building Advisor Website.

Right now, there’s a lot of interest in the residential construction market around continuous insulation (CI) strategies.  CI adds a layer of complexity to a build, and with it, questions.  How much insulation do I need?  How to fasten the insulation?  How to fasten the cladding?  How to integrate windows and doors?  What about vapor control?  And, this question, should the water resistive barrier (WRB) be at the sheathing layer or outboard the insulation?  The answer, it depends, but you have a lot of choices.

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