Choosing a Sheathing Wrap

What should you be using —- asphalt felt, building paper, or housewrap? There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to these products, which I'll refer to as sheathing wraps in this article. (They're also called weather-resistive barriers.) Builders following the sheathing wrap debates may feel like they're being whipsawed back and forth, as manufacturers and building science experts announce the latest claims or laboratory findings. Some professionals who have made noble attempts to clarify the muddy waters appear to be failing. In an effort to make it easier to compare the products, an ASTM task force has been working for the last two years with scientists and manufacturers' representatives in hopes of developing common standards and test procedures for