Hey folks, how is everyone? I am curious what your opinion is on Huber’s Zip system products. I love the thought of no housewrap, and many builders in my area are using the wall product (though I haven’t seen the roof version yet), but I’m a little hesitant to use it. I just don’t like the idea of relying on the tape to keep the seams watertight over time. Of course the system is warranted for 30 years, but I want the homes I build to last a hundred! With housewrap or tarpaper, as long as the material itself lasts ( installed properly of course) it will keep shedding water. But if the tape on the Zip system comes unstuck after 30 years, any water running down the sheathing is going to go right into the seams. Am interested in any thoughts you might have, and thanks! Edit as of 6/24. As was quite correctly pointed out, the concern is at least as big with water entering the rough openings. I intended to include that in the post originally but forgot. Anyways thanks again.
Edited 6/24/2009 8:28 pm ET by markjs25
Edited 6/24/2009 8:32 pm ET by markjs25
Replies
I would not be as worried about the seams as I would be about flashing any openings, which is where most water damage occurs. Like most new products I'd like to see several years of builders experience before I jumped in.
I love Advantech. I'm not crazy about the roof system. I do mostly metal, so I think an underlayment is necessary. I've roofed 3 applications of the roof system and they all leaked prior to us installing an underlayment. Not as bad as the typical framer "black in", but still enough that the interior work had to be slowed until the roof went on.http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Yer sayin' they had the tape on there 100% correct and it leaked... or they f'd it up and it leaked?
The other problem with the system is that it limits the possibilities of drying the wall to the outside. The rainscreen construction that we do here typically relies on a well sealed interior vb coupled with intentionally loose exterior sheathing - gaps between sheets and holes drilled below windows - as a safety net to deal with moisture that for one reason or another manages to get into the wall cavity. Don't see how this would be possible without building paper or wrap.
(Edit: for spelling)
Edited 6/24/2009 10:38 pm ET by fingersandtoes