For builders and remodelers, these changes
mean a need to learn about new construction
methods and materials. Jeff Key, Georgia-
Pacific's (GP) senior marketing manager
for wood products, says the stricter energy
codes have resulted in fundamental changes
to building practices that had been the norm
for decades.
"Code is a big driver — we understand
homes are not built the same way they were 10
or 15 years ago," he says. "Air exchange is the
issue — being able to seal up the house prop-
erly is going to be a big driver going forward."
e critical word in Key's statement is
"properly." Moisture management becomes
significantly more important as the build-
ing envelope gets tighter. Many lessons were
learned in the early days of tighter build-
ing design, but George Caruso, director of
product development and technical support
ZIP System's development. "at's an area
that's really needed as [all] systems become
more complex — it's a major theme, I think,
in building materials."
e core of this product is Huber's oriented
strand board (OSB), which is Structural 1 rat-
ed to meet any wind or seismic requirements
at Benjamin Obdyke, says installers still can
get these basics wrong.
"We see that, even today, as exterior foam
is becoming more popular," he notes. "It's
continuous, it's flat, it's tight up against the
wall — it's just less forgiving."
MULTI-PRODUCT SYSTEMS
One approach envelope-product manufactur-
ers are taking is to combine multiple com-
ponents into a single, preassembled product,
which both ensures consistent air- and mois-
ture-barrier performance and minimizes labor
needs. Huber's ZIP System R-Sheathing is one
example, as it mates envelope protection to
otherwise-standard sheathing to create what
could be seen as a new product category.
"'System approach' is a phrase that's being
used a lot, and that's what we're trying to do,"
Sealock says, describing the theory behind
HUBER's ZIP System R-Sheathing adds insulation and an air and moisture barrier to standard
OSB sheathing, creating an entire wall assembly that can go up in a single pass. The product
family also includes joint tape and liquid-based flashing. Circle 11 on inquiry card
QualifiedRemodeler.com QR August 2016 85