Housewrap Testing - 'Orange Box' House Brand vs Tyvek

I had a question on my blog recently that prompted this video. Someone asked if Tyvek that I use is really worth the extra cost? Isn't the white roll at the Home Center that's 1/2 the cost just as good? Well, I've got a simple test you can use to see if the Housewrap you are considering is really going to protect your house.
-Matt Risinger
Risinger Homes in Austin, TX

[dhollm]

Thanks for the video. I was looking for a comparison of precisely these two products recently. One thought - I'm not sure the horizontal orientation of your test was totally realistic. Not defending the cheaper product, but if you could do a vertical test that would show performance in a situation more similar to most applications, I think. Thanks again.

[Brad-homb]

The one important thing he didnt talk about is the perm rating of each. Tyvek has a perm rating 4-5 times that of everbuilt. The perm rating is how much the wrap is breathable for condensation. The house wrap must breath, but not too much. recommend 7-10 perms.

[hickoryhomes]

Excellent job and man, the video is worth more than 100 pages of marketing materials. I'm amazed at all the people leaving comments who seem to know everything about building science but have NEVER worked on a remodeling project where the cheaper house wraps and flashings have failed. Haters and Doubters live just to hate and doubt. Thank you for posting this quick video.

[leeurbina]

Hey Matt, Is it a fair comparison to make Tyvek and Delta Vent SA? I'd appreciate the feedback in comparing Delta with a like product. Thanks

[stevendarden]

Thanks for the great demonstration. But I already installed Everbilt wrap on my new shed. Would you recommend tearing it down and replacing it? -or should I leave it and wrap Tyvek over it? Thanks so much for your input.

[jy]

That was interesting, not sure why it was in my recommendations though

[johnwick]

I wrapped a mobile home in Vermont with Lowe’s house wrap before the rain hit. It got through and froze to the walls. Never again!

[cengeb]

But I am not using house wrap as a water bucket, what's the point, Horiz, is not how it's installed, neither is it supposed to have a faucet opened across it

[Animalwon]

I'm surprised the thumbnail shows a LOWES logo for the ORANGE BOX Brand -The same inferior product is being sold at Lowes.com as"Pactiv" brand and Home Depot under the brand name "Everbilt", without the LOWES logo. And that was current as Oct. 18, 2014.

[weldmaster]

I think this would be a fair test, if I planned on using the plastic as a roofing material... this is not an appropriate illustration of what the material is supposed to do.

[theAlsatianfarmer]

Lmao! Sooo many comments ripping on this test!! All Matt did was reprove the Old axiom you get what you pay for!! Of course I also know plenty of people out there take no pride in their work and that’s the harbor freight demographic that buys the cheaper house brand!

[hmbpnz]

You fail to note that Tyvek is "plastic" as well.  It's just high density polyethylene, just like grocery bags, but spun using a fancy process.

It is a pretty dramatic demo, however.  I'm rethinking the wrap plan for our new shed.

Thanks.

[NikolaiKa]

Misleading. The guy simply cannot be trusted because he is deliberately making the test unfair. Housewrap must be tested in its _working _ position, . i.e. positioned VERTICALLY. So the big-box cheaper wrap (essentially a fancy tarp) should work just fine to divert whatever water penetrating behind the outer house layer (e.g. vinyl siding) then running DOWN with gravity, gliding on the surface, not STANDING there (esp. FORCED in there with the clever glass trick the guy employed). Water simply having little chance to penetrate the material if it is positioned VERTICALLY. In that case woven (generic) vs. non-woven (Tyvek) nature of the material does not mean that much. Not 50% more in cost in my book. Clearly to me this is some sort of a sales pitch, not a fair comparison.

[rakhunter]

So if tyvek doesn't let any water thru how is it breathable?

[davidkizer]

did anyone notice that paper towel was drenched in water when all he put was a light sprinkle?

[EminezArtus]

This test is dumb because just as the water can get in it can get out and if water did get behind it would come out.

[WillNGo]

The real information here is the second cheaper product is pin-punched for breathability. Of course it's going to allow water to seep through those holes. The question many commenters are asking is how real is this 'experiment' for actual use. That's exactly the correct question. This guy isn't going to answer it. This is a baloney 'experiment', it's marketing, but not practical.
Tyvek is like goretex, allowing water vapor (single water molecules) to pass through, but not liquid water droplets. That can be a really valuable trait, if liquid water is likely to be present, and the housewrap needs to keep it from entering. My understanding of housewrap is that it's primarily a seal against drafts, it needs to 'breathe'. Waterproof? Then they'd be wrapping houses in 3-6 mil plastic right? I've done house construction, but won't claim any expertise. M y current interest is for camping gear; my use will be 'roof' like, but also completely different from its use as housewrap. The pin-punched might explain why 'tyvek' envelopes from the post office don't seem to be waterproof. Good comments.

[cengeb]

tyvek WINS, the other stuff is useless!

[toology]

Anyone have experience with PermaGuard (16mils)?

[markpaytes]

It's simple don't let water behind your walls! Use flashing And drip edge the way you're supposed to and you don't have to Worry about water getting behind walls