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energy-cost savings, depending on the region of the country in which a home is located. A fluid version of this product, called Vycor NV, also is available. "It can be spray-applied or roll-applied," Santos says. "e benefit of it is, it's monolithic. You're covering all the nooks and crannies." energy savings compared to standard house- wrap. A study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found it provided an air-infiltration rate seven times lower than that observed with a traditional, mechanically attached product. According to this research, this improved performance could translate into substantial than become trapped between the wrap and exterior cladding. "It's not a big enough gap to impact the R-value, but if any type of water intrusion does happen, it gives it an area to drain safely," Caruso says, noting the product offers back- up protection against the possibility of poor detailing or other installation mistakes. "We still see poor installation practices. ings can be designed very well, but things can happen in the installation process, so this product is building redundancy into the wall." is drainable wrap represents a middle tier in Benjamin Obdyke's full housewrap lineup, which also includes a basic, flat housewrap at the entry level and a combined wrap-and-rain- screen product as the highest-grade offering. Caruso suggests remodelers consider a range of factors — and not just first costs — when choosing between these products. "What's the risk factor of wind and rain?" is the question he suggests should be at the top of any housewrap selection list, adding, "two to five percent of that water gets behind the cladding." Additionally, the type of clad- ding should be considered. While a basic-level wrap can be sufficient under vinyl siding, he recommends the new drainable offering for use with fiber cement and engineered wood and a rain-screen system under stucco, stone and engineered stone exteriors. STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS GCP Applied Technologies (formerly Grace Construction Products) also is seeking to reimagine housewrap with its Vycor enV-S product. Arguing that mechanically attached offerings can be vulnerable to construction-site hazards and high-wind events while still ex- posed, and can provide opportunity for air and water intrusion if not properly installed, the company developed a sheet membrane that installs without nails, staples or other such fasteners. "is is a fully adhered vapor membrane," says Sonya Santos, marketing director. "It seals to itself and seals to the substrate to minimize moisture and air penetration." Additionally, though it installs without need for mechanical attachment, it seals around any nail, screw or staple penetrations that might pass through it from the exterior cladding layer. Because it is essentially laminated to a home's sheathing, the product promises substantial EmeraldCoat from STO CORP. is a vapor-permeable air and moisture barrier that goes on with a roller or sprayer. Not only can this make application easier, it also means the membrane will remain intact if high winds blow through while it's exposed. Circle 14 on inquiry card QualifiedRemodeler.com QR August 2016 89