house wrap?

[dug]

For various reasons, things have not gone exactly as planned. Many delays, not enough time.

I'm closing in on getting it roofed but it will be at least a month, probably two, before I can apply the stucco exterior. I need to get the wall sheathing covered as it is beginning to suffer some degradation but I am worried about the felt degrading as well.

I have read that 2 layers of 30 lb. felt is best for stucco exterior, and I have enough for that. I also have some generic house wrap from HD that I got off craigslist.

Would it make any sense to put the house wrap on now, and put the 2 layers of felt on later when I'm ready to stucco? Would that still allow for enough moisture transfer?

Or should I just apply the felt now and hope its still O.K. in a couple of months.

Many thanks!

[Onkeludo2]

From my own experience and those listed on this and other sites, 30# felt/tar paper should be good for years if properly attached.  I would absoutely not be concerned about a few of months. 

Just a warning, it will look ugly, crinkly and more slack than when you attached if it goes through a few cycles of soaking rain and drying out.  This is normal...in fact it just shows how it works.  as long as there are no tears or areas that are sagging excessively from inadequate nailing or stapling, you are good to go.

Mike

[glenn kangiser]

The house wrap can trap liquid moisture inside and cause mold and rot problems.  Not always the case but new apartment complexes in Oregon had to be torn down due to house wrap problems.

Search Tyvek, house wrap etc.  on this site.

Felt is more trouble free and forgiving of mistakes by wicking out liquid moisture.

[MountainDon]

Current IRC calls for two layers of class D underlayment.

I have no concrete idea what products qualify. 

[rocking23nf]

Around here in Alberta, canada, every new home I see is housewrapped with typar or tyvek, so although there are cases of failure, I dont think its a deal breaker, we have some of the stickest codes in north america here.

[dug]

So I guess I'll go ahead and apply the felt.

Any pointers for a rookie? I think I understand the very basics- bottom to top, keep it even and tight. Beyond that I am clueless.

How much overlap?
What nail spacing? I have 1 in. plastic button head nails.
I've seen the cuts made for windows with house wrap (upside down wine glass) but how is it done with felt?

Any additional tricks of the trade much appreciated!

[MountainDon]

Everything you need to know about flashing can be found at Grace Construction Products

http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/prodline.cfm?did=26

Here's a stucco info page

http://www.cement.org/Stucco/faq_paper.asp

and yes, #30 felt qualifies as the referenced Class D.

Two layers are needed.

[John Raabe]

Here is an overview of how to apply building felt.

http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/siding/prep/apply-felt-or-building-paper/

[Redoverfarm]

Dug button nails are the choice for wrapping a house.  You can initially get it up and taunt wih staples but I would come back and button nail it.  The button nails have a larger diameter head and the felt is less likely to pull off around these rather than roofing nails or staples.  It will not tear away as easy

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Here is an overview of how to apply building felt.

http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/siding/prep/apply-felt-or-building-paper/

NICE!
Me, I said to heck with it and went with Huber Zip panels...

[MountainDon]

Huber products are nice, but not available nationwide   

[dug]

Thanks all for the help and the links. Maybe I missed something but I am still unsure how to wrap around the windows.

I am guessing you run the paper over the openings and cut them the same way you would house wrap. Is this right?

[Redoverfarm]

Dug I would firgure what it will take to run it into the inside sill and drop down onto the opening/paper and cut it that way all around from an "X" mark from that off set.  Trying to figure out how to demonstrate this.

               ___Window frame__
               l x   margin tuck in xl
               l    x-----------  x  l  W
               l     ' x          x'      l   i
               l     '    x     x '       l   n
               l     '      x x    '      l   d
               l     '      x x    '      l   o
               l     '    x     x  '      l   w
               l     '  x        x '      l
               l     -----------      l  f
               l   x                x    l   r
               l_x____________x_ l  a

[John_M]

Do you have the windows installed alreadY?

[MountainDon]

Flashing can be well done either way. The above mentioned Grace site has loads of information on both methods. Sometimes it is expedient to sheath the building and wrap it before cutting out the windows. That gets you weather resistant quicker. Sometimes the windows don't arrive in a timely manner. So it really doesn't matter.

This page... http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/template.cfm?page=/Window_and_Door_Flashings/dd_vycor.html&did=26   has links to documents on an assortment of methods for the window flashing; windows in before wrap, after wrap, severe weather conditions.....

This page...  http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/custom/flashings/downloads/26324_Guide-B.pdf  is a PDF with installation photos in color....

This page...  http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/product.cfm?mode=c&did=26&id=41#4361   has some video links. Scroll down on the left sidebar. The last two items are videos, one is flashing before weather resistant barrier and the other flashing after.

The videos come up requesting registration, but there is a decline button to sidestep that.

Dug's just got the holes cut I believe...