Installation Instructions for STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE Housewrap - New Construction
STYROFOAM™ WEATHERMATE™ Installation Guide (551KB PDF)
When installing housewrap, you want to achieve a continuous membrane that resists air and water penetration into the structure. The correct installation of STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap is a simple, fast process. You are investing time and money, so make sure you wrap it up right.
1. STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewraps should be installed over exterior wall sheathing before windows are installed.
Figure 1
2. Place roll vertically against exterior wall about 3 feet from corner with print side facing out. Small diamond markers are printed every 8 inches on STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap to help determine position of underlying studs. Position bottom edge of housewrap to cover edge of sill plate and overlap foundation at least 1 inch. Position top edge of housewrap to cover edges of top plates.
Figure 2
3. With roll straight and plumb, attach trailing end of STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap to framing members or nail-base sheathing. Unroll around corner, keeping membrane level, tight and flat. Wrap completely around building, covering windows and doors. Tuck tightly into inside corners using flat edge of 1x4 or similar.
Figure 3
4. Overlap all vertical seams at least 6 inches and seal with tape. Overlap all horizontal seams at least 6 inches shingle fashion and seal with WEATHERMATE™ Construction Tape (the higher piece on the wall should lap over the lower piece). Ensure tape is properly applied to seams to ensure a weather-tight bond.
Figure 4
5. Plastic cap nails are appropriate fasteners for STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap. There are pneumatic nailers for plastic cap nails that make fastening fast and secure. Plastic cap nails should be spaced about 16 inches in each direction. Staples with minimum 1-inch crown may also be used when spaced about 12 inches in each direction. All fasteners should penetrate at least 1/2 inch into nail base.
Figure 5
6. At each window and door rough opening, make an inverted "Y" cut in the STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap:
- Cut from the top center of the opening straight down about half the height of the opening.
- From this point at the center of the opening, make a cut diagonally to the lower right corner of the opening and a second cut to the lower left corner.
- Finish by cutting completely across the upper edge of the opening
- Pull each of the three flaps to the inside of the opening and fasten to the inside face of the framing with staples spaced every 6 inches. Trim excess.
Figure 6
7. Install windows and doors according to manufacturer's recommendations. Flash windows and doors with WEATHERMATE Straight and Flexible Flashing(s) according to building code requirements. When flashing windows, doors, roofs, deck connections to walls, etc., be careful to lap housewrap and flashings so water does not get behind flashing.
Figure 7
8. STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewraps should not be exposed to sunlight for more than 60 days (WEATHERMATE Plus housewrap should not be exposed for more than 120 days). Before installing exterior finish, be sure all penetrations are taped to shed water and prevent air infiltration.
Figure 8
9. Although Dow does not require an air space between STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap and exterior finishes, good building practices and some building codes specify air spaces behind brick, stone and wood finishes. Apply WEATHERMATE Construction Tape and GREAT STUFF™ Pro Gaps & Cracks around ducts and other penetrations.
Note: STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE housewrap is a secondary defense against bulk water intrusion. The exterior finish is the primary water barrier.
NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for Customer's use and for ensuring that Customer's workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other government enactments. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.
For more information, consult MSDS, call Dow at 1-866-583-BLUE (2583) or contact your local building inspector. In an emergency, call 1-989-636-4400.
Building and/or construction practices unrelated to insulation could greatly affect moisture and the potential for mold formation. No material supplier including Dow can give assurance that mold will not develop in any specific system.
