Focus on Energy: Wrap Wars

Wrap Wars by Alex Wilson Dupont introduced Tyvek to the construction industry in 1979. It was a replacement for felt building paper, and it quickly proved itself to be vastly superior. Tyvek was stronger, lighter, thinner, easier to install, more durable, more resistant to air penetration, and less resistant to water-vapor transmission. The purpose of an air barrier was to save energy by reducing infiltration while not trapping moisture in the walls. The idea caught on quickly. It caught on so well that since its introduction eight years ago, DuPont has had trouble keeping up with demand, and competitors have moved in. Parsec was the first company to challenge DuPont. Parsec had been marketing Parsec Airtight White (really Tyvek under its