As builders and designers, we have so many ways we can improve the performance of a wall assembly. Deeper wall cavities will allow for more insulation, double wall construction gains you the ability to move the air and/or vapor control to the middle of the wall leaving the inner framing cavity free for mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) equipment. Then there’s Building Science Corporation and Dr. Joe Lstiburek’s perfect wall, with the right ratio of continuous exterior insulation to interior cavity insulation that lessens the worries of vapor control. Continuous exterior insulation can be designed in several ways, foam-based products, ridged mineral wool, wood fiber insulation, or nail base products. And then there’s Huber’s Zip System R-sheathing, what we call on the jobsite, Zip-R.
Zip-R isn’t new, I first became aware of the product back in 2014. What makes this product unique is that the continuous insulation layer is located between the exterior wall sheathing and framing. This location simplifies the installation of CI and wall sheathing compared to the traditional location of the insulation, which is exterior of the wall sheathing. And to add to the advantages of the product, in most applications, it is still a structural sheathing product when installed per Huber’s manufacturer’s instructions. (Consult a structural engineer if there are any questions or concerns on a specific design or building location.)
Continue reading “Winnie Pretty Good House-Working with Huber’s Zip-R Sheathing”
