Airtight ZIP Sheathing

Utilizing the sheathing of your structure as the air barrier is a common practice in residential construction. This is often most easily done with a product like Huber ZIP sheathing, which is much easier to air seal than a housewrap system. When using ZIP sheathing as an air barrier, it is important to tape any gap or penetration through the barrier. This includes, but is not limited to:

• the seams between the sheathing

• the sheathing to foundation connection

• the sheathing to roof system connection

• Windows and doors

• Holes for exhaust vents

Popular building science educator Matt Risinger details the many benefits of using ZIP sheathing over housewrap in his video “I’m calling it… House Wrap is DEAD”. While Matt is sponsored by Huber, we at HIS&HERS concur with the points he makes about the benefits of ZIP sheathing.

Here you can see the difference between ZIP properly sealed to a window and housewrap poorly sealed to a window. With housewrap, it requires careful folding and cutting to successfully seal a window. A window can be sealed in place much easier with zip flashing tape.

Here are two examples of sheathing properly sealed to the foundation. On the left, a liquid applied solution was used to seal this connection. On the right, Siga Fentrim tape is used, as it adheres well to both zip and concrete.