What Should I Use? - Weather Resistant Barriers

In this episode of "What Should I Use?" hosted by Jake Bruton, the focus is on understanding the concept of WRB, specifically the differences between water-resistant and weather-resistant barriers. Jake begins by exploring the varying definitions of WRB in the building industry, comparing code specifications with industry practices.
The episode discusses the 2021 IRC (International Residential Code), which emphasizes the importance of water-resistant barriers (WRB) to prevent water accumulation in wall assemblies. Jake explains that while the code specifically mentions water resistance, it is crucial to address all control layers-water, air, and vapor-for a comprehensive approach.
Jake identifies three main types of barriers:
1. Mechanically Fastened Systems: Typically house wraps, which are less likely to provide effective air control due to the numerous penetrations during installation.
2. Fully Adhered Systems: Representing the premium option, these systems, like PROSOCO’s range, offer a monolithic, unbroken barrier ideal for comprehensive protection.
3. Factory Applied Systems: These are panels with pre-applied barriers, requiring careful attention to connections between panels.
Jake emphasizes the importance of a monolithic barrier for continuity in air and water control, recommending fully adhered systems when budget permits. He advises considering availability, durability, and ease of installation when selecting materials, ensuring they meet the project's environmental demands and quality standards.
Ultimately, Jake advocates for solutions that provide robust, durable protection, allowing builders to confidently offer warranties and take pride in their work. The episode serves as a guide for builders to make informed decisions about water and weather-resistant barriers, highlighting best practices and material choices.
Thanks to our episode sponsor PROSOCO. Learn more here: prosoco.com/pr...
Subscribe and follow my Podcast on Apple or Spotify!
Apple: apple.co/32AOwgU
Spotify: spoti.fi/3FXNg4X
Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter:
buildshownetwo...
To sponsor a video or advertise with us visit:
www.buildprodu...
Want to learn more about building? thebuildshow.com/
The Build Show on Instagram: / thebuildshow
Huge thanks to our Show sponsors Builders FirstSource, Polyguard, Huber, Rockwool & Viewrail for helping to make these videos possible! These are all trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years and trusts their products in the homes he builds. We would highly encourage you to check out their websites for more info.

[@clayfenlason1240]

Enjoying this methodical, clear-eyed series. Taken together, it should be a library I keep coming back to refer to.

[@STPjib]

Agreed, I think there should be a format for the naming of these episodes and they should be put together as a series

[@beii-c4e]

Second time I'm posting this comment as the first video was deleted or removed back in March. Here's my original comment: I was very disappointed in the prosoco r guard spray wrap. Worked on a 8000sq ft custom home and decided to give the product a try based on previous build show videos. We prepared the surface with joint and seam filler and used fast flash for all window openings and penetrations, then We rolled the product on in 2 very thick coats to the proper mill thickness. The prosoco spray mvp (pink one not the cat 5 product) performed very very poorly. During and after a rain shower water could be visibly seen soaking thru the osb substrate and running down the inside of the wall cavity. The joint and seam filler and fast flash are good products,but I would not recommend the spray wrap mvp product. We ended up using the typar house wrap system on top of the prosoco product followed by 2 layers of 30# felt paper. Maybe the more expensive cat 5 would perform better but the spray wrap was horrible and a huge waste of money, we used a few pallets worth of that product around 50 5 gallon buckets to try to get the system to perform correctly but ended up being a huge waste of money. Sometimes the simple methods perform the best.

[@bobbray9666]

Or just use Huber Zip sheathing. Zip-R for areas that require exterior insulation. I used Zip-R12 in zone 6 with 2x4 construction. Doors and windows designed for 2x6 construction fit perfectly. I Zip taped the seams and detailed the window openings with Zip tape and Zip stretch tape after watching videos because I didn't trust my framers to do it correctly. It was easy. After I did a lot of research on what exterior insulation system I thought was best for our new home build, Zip covered all my concerns. No regrets. Our blower door test was 75% better than passing.

[@TimGGleason]

A few questions if you don’t mind- 1) Where the heck do you get the stuff? I can’t find any for sale within a hundred miles! 2) What type of fastener did you use? 3) What did you use for bracing? I’ve seen some folks talking about how the shear strength for thicker zip r gets pretty weak. Thoughts? Thanks!!

[@simnick]

Seems like there is a 4th missing category here: Peel and stick products. Those don't have the issues of mechanically applied WRB. Also, I get this was sponsored by PROSOCO, but you could have shown examples of the other classes of products.

[@howardsmith5474]

My dude has likes and it’s still in the countdown

[@bamascubaman]

Tuned in knowing that it was sponsored by Prosoco but was hoping you'd be a little bit more neutral. I guess I won't bother with the other videos in the series. Pretty disappointing Matt/Jake.

[@TheSipherArcher]

Am I crazy? Is this a re-upload? I feel like watched this one before.

[@AndreyK415]

BAD video, basically a promotion video for Proseco liquid applied barrier, no examples of other systems, missing pros and cons for all available types of WRBs. Just mentioned mechanicals as a category and shamed it and said Proseco liquid applied is better.

[@beii-c4e]

Yeah the original video was posted in March then taken down. I was extremely disappointed with the performance of the Prosoco Spray wrap MVP (roll applied and back rolled per Prosocos installation instructions). I would not recommend. We wasted thousands of dollars on it. The fast flash and joint & seam filler performed well. But Spray wrap MVP was a huge disappointment.

[@MrItalianfighter1]

​@beii-c4e what was your issues with the MVP? Was it difficulty in application, pin holes, needing more coats to completely cover, or was it an issue with simply applying it to the sheathing? I was thinking of trying it in the next week or 2 so I'm interested in your input before I go for it.

[@loganlampkin6506]

​@@MrItalianfighter1 I've used it on new builds. It's hard for it to get into the pockets of the OSB if roll applying. Spraying works well but you need one hell of a sprayer. I also would not recommend if you are roll applying to OSB. Plywood application via rolling I think is fine. Just my opinion

[@mikeydeighan]

Great video. Being a stupid fisherman and having been deeply involved in custom boat builds. I have always wondered if you took a marine primer and paint, lets just say Polypoxy, and shoot the entire outside of the plywood or OSB with entire structure intact. Before you route out window and door openings. In the long run you would have an incredible airbarrier, monolithic epoxy paint that will never see the sun once the clading is on. 2 guys with a sprayer and tele lift could do most houses in a day. Too expensive?

[@JimDeVerna-yf2zy]

Jake, You show this WRB being applied to plywood. Plywood will dry better than OSB. Please have a drawing out what you recommend for the assembly. Something written like your drywall checklist.

[@williamdemilia6223]

Jake, good job describing the code required WRB and your opinions.

[@scorpio6587]

The jingle at the end is 10x louder than the rest.

[@disqusrubbish5467]

Could have been half as long... Sponsored by Prosoco - guess what he likes?

[@danielrutherford9456]

Really good information, but this format doesn’t work. It’s just a guy talking for 17 minutes with very few graphics, pictures, cut scenes, etc to show what he means. Matt makes great videos, so I don’t know what the disconnect here is.