It’s relatively cold across the country right now, and while many
areas of the nation will deal with snow that comes with the cold, much
of the south and western parts of the country will be living with
typical winter rain. With that in mind, heading into the slower
construction season provides a perfect opportunity to take a closer look
at the evolution of material options for water-resistive barriers. The
number of code-compliant WRB options available to specify have grown
over the years and as building science advances, it is always a good
idea to evaluate this crucial element of a wall system.
A
water-resistive barrier is a critical component of an effective wall
system that protects against water intrusion that can get behind the
exterior cladding, protecting the structure and its interior. WRBs are
universally specified in commercial and residential wall construction
and have been required by the International Building Code and the
International Residential Code for decades.