1. Is DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® recommended under stucco instead of DuPont™ Tyvek® CommercialWrap®?
DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® is recommended under stucco because it has been specially designed to work with both traditional stucco and synthetic stucco applications. The engineered surface with special grooves is designed to assist with drainage as part of the synthetic or EIFS systems. In traditional stucco, DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® has been shown to aid in curing, helping reduce scratch coat cracking and promoting flexural strength for improved stucco integrity. DuPont™ Tyvek® CommercialWrap® will perform well under traditional stucco, however it does not offer the same surface feature.

2. When a building is mostly glazing, why use a building wrap?
DuPont™ Tyvek® should be considered for its ability to help manage air, water and moisture in a building’s wall system. Water inevitably finds its way inside walls, whatever the cladding. Unlike building papers, DuPont™ Tyvek®, properly installed, has a combination of properties that can protect wall systems and improve energy costs. DuPont™ Tyvek® works together with insulated glazing to help reduce air infiltration, fostering more efficient HVAC operation, and potentially lower maintenance costs.

3. What is the flammability of DuPont™ Tyvek®?
DuPont™ Tyvek® is combustible and should be protected from a flame and other high heat sources. If the temperature of DuPont™ Tyvek® reaches 750°F (400°C), it will burn and the fire may spread and fall away from the point of ignition. For more information call 1-800-44-TYVEK. DuPont™ Tyvek® carries a Class I or NFPA Class A fire rating for flame spread and smoke developed index as measured by ASTM E-84.

4. How long can DuPont™ Tyvek® be exposed before siding?
DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap® and DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap®, DuPont™ Tyvek® DrainWrap™, DuPont™ Tyvek® ThermaWrap™ and DuPont™ Tyvek® AtticWrap™ should be covered within 120 days (4 months). DuPont™ Tyvek® CommercialWrap® should be covered within 270 days (9 months).

5. Can you use DuPont™ Tyvek® in combination with a vapor barrier?
Using a vapor barrier depends on how the rest of the wall system is built and the climate the wall is in. If the majority of the year is spent heating the home where the inside temperature is greater than the outside, it is generally good to use a vapor retarder behind the interior drywall. In hot humid climates, vapor barriers should not be used.

6. Is DuPont™ Tyvek® a vapor barrier?
No, DuPont™ Tyvek® is not a vapor barrier. It is breathable, allowing moisture vapor to pass through it.

7. Should DuPont™ Tyvek® be placed over or under the sheathing?
DuPont™ Tyvek® can be used either over or under sheathing. When DuPont™ Tyvek® is used under sheathing, it functions only as an air barrier and does not protect the sheathing as a secondary water barrier. DuPont™ Tyvek® has been used directly over studs where there is no sheathing, although use of sheathing is a highly recommended building practice.

8. Does DuPont™ Tyvek® have an R-value?
In 2006 DuPont introduced Tyvek® ThermaWrap™, a weather resistive, insulating breathable membrane designed to manage radiant heat flow through the wall. This metalized product helps increase the R-value of insulation.

9. What is the difference between DuPont™ Tyvek® and black paper?
Black paper or building paper was not designed as an air retarder like DuPont™ Tyvek®. Unlike DuPont™ Tyvek®, building paper can absorb water. Building paper tears easier than DuPont™ Tyvek® and can degrade over time when under continual exposure to water. Building papers are less permeable to moisture vapor transfer than DuPont™ Tyvek® increasing the potential moisture vapor trapped inside the wall could cause mold, mildew and rot.

10. What is the difference between DuPont™ Tyvek® and other housewraps?
Many other wraps are perforated, which means in order for them to breathe, the manufacturer has punched holes in them, resulting in a reduction of air and water holdout effectiveness. DuPont™ Tyvek® is a non-perforated, nonwoven product with microscopic pores that are so small air and bulk water have a difficult time passing through but since DuPont™ Tyvek® is breathable, moisture vapor can easily escape from the wall.

11. Can you use DuPont™ Tyvek® under any primary cladding?

Yes, DuPont™ Tyvek® can be used under any cladding including brick, stucco, vinyl, cedar siding, and stone. Proper installation under each cladding is essential to ensure DuPont™ Tyvek® provides the maximum level of air infiltration resistance and bulk water holdout.

12. Can DuPont™ Tyvek® be used on roofs? Under Floors? On the interior?
In 2006 DuPont introduced Tyvek® AtticWrap™, a unique, breathable membrane that helps create an airtight seal to reduce air leakage and energy loss through the roof. All other DuPont™ Tyvek® products in Canada and the US have been tested and approved as a product to be installed behind exterior walls.

13. How many feet on a roll of DuPont™ Tyvek® tape?
There are 165 feet on a roll which will be enough to tape a 9’ x 150’ roll.

14. Can DuPont™ Tyvek® be used as flashing?
DuPont™ Tyvek® weather resistive barriers have not been tested or approved as a flashing material. DuPont introduced the DuPont™ Flashing System that provides comprehensive protection from water leaks. It is designed to help direct water to the building exterior instead of trapping it inside the wall system and causing water damage.

15. Can DuPont™ Tyvek® be used with the lettering facing in?
DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap®, DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap®, DuPont™ Tyvek® DrainWrap™ and DuPont™ Tyvek® CommercialWrap® are equally effective in both directions. However, DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® and DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® have a specially engineered surface that should be placed with the grooves in a vertical direction.

16. Can I tape sheathing board seams?
Taping sheathing board seams creates a continuous vapor barrier, so moisture vapor would have nowhere to escape. Adhesion of tape to foam and wood would also be temporary, due to thermal expansion and contraction of the wall assembly. A more effective and efficient means to provide air infiltration resistance and bulk water holdout is to properly install DuPont™ Tyvek® using our best practice guidelines. Since DuPont™ Tyvek® is flexible, it will continue to provide protection to the sheathing when undergoing thermal expansion and contraction.

17. Why should I tape seams in the DuPont™ Tyvek®?
Taping the seams with DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape gives you the best Tyvek®-to-Tyvek® adhesion, optimal protection against air and bulk water penetration, and extra durability protection during the building’s construction phase.

18. Is DuPont™ Tyvek® necessary over foam board?
DuPont™ Tyvek® adds considerable protection against leaky seams in foam board, similar to the protection provided over wood sheathing. Foam boards alone, even interlocking foam boards, do not adequately stop air leakage due to wall movement from settling and thermal expansion and contraction.

19. Can I use DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap® under stucco?
DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® is recommended under stucco because it has been specially designed to work with both traditional and synthetic stucco applications. The engineered surface with special grooves is designed to assist in drainage of incidental moisture that may penetrate the primary cladding in synthetic stucco systems. DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap® will also provide the weather barrier characteristics in an EIFS wall system, but its drainage properties will differ. Therefore, in synthetic EIFS stucco systems, DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap® can be used as the secondary weather barrier but in conjunction with an additional drainage medium (either matte or grooved foam) to achieve the desired drainage characteristics.

In traditional stucco systems, DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® has been shown to aid in curing, helping reduce scratch coat cracking and promoting flexural strength for improved stucco integrity.

20. Can I use DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® under brick?
Yes. It is perfectly acceptable to use DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® under brick. Whether using DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap® or DuPont™ Tyvek® StuccoWrap® under brick it is important to follow brick manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the use of an air space between the brick veneer and sheathing. Typically this space is 1”-2” and will act as a drainage plane if incidental moisture were to penetrate the brick in addition to ventilating behind the cladding which aids in drying of the wall assembly.

21. Can DuPont™ Tyvek® be installed vertically instead of horizontally (drop it down from the top?)
Although this installation method is not recommended it is important to ensure that if this method is used the vertical seams must overlap by at least 6” and taped with DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape. This will provide the greatest level of air infiltration and bulk water holdout protection. Recommended installation instructions can be located on this website or the roll label affixed to the product.

22. Will duct tape work as well as DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape?
No. Duct tape is not designed to be used with DuPont™ Tyvek®. DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape has been specifically designed to work with DuPont™ Tyvek® products and should be used in all situations when sealing of the DuPont™ Tyvek® seams is necessary.

23. What type of fasteners is recommended when installing DuPont™ Tyvek®?
DuPont™ Tyvek® can be installed using a variety of fasteners depending on the application. To attach DuPont™ Tyvek® to wood, insulated sheathing board or exterior gypsum board, use nails with plastic washer heads, such as DuPont™ Tyvek® Wrap Caps. You may choose to use wide staples with a minimum 1” crown. For steel frame construction use DuPont™ Tyvek® Wrap Cap Screws.

24. Can DuPont™ Tyvek® be used under cedar siding?
Yes, DuPont™ Tyvek® DrainWrap™ can be used under cedar siding. It is recommended that the cedar siding be installed per manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations by wood siding associations, such as the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, including priming all surfaces including the back and ends before installing. Additionally, the use of furring strips will help promote drainage of any incidental water that may penetrate the cedar cladding.

See related documents, such as FAQs, installation guides and physical property data sheets, in the Technical Information section of this web site.