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Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Senior Member
Username: rliebing

Post Number: 504
Registered: 02-2003
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 11:21 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Any one to comment on VaproShields' "Wall-Shield" and DuPont's "Tyvek CommercialWrap"?
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre

Post Number: 422
Registered: 07-2002
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 12:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

we use the VaproShield product frequently on our projects and have not had problems that I'm aware of. we also use the CommercialWrap, but they are very different products. our more typical wall system is a vapor permeable one, and WallShield is our product of choice for that condition.
Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Senior Member
Username: rliebing

Post Number: 505
Registered: 02-2003
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 01:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Thank you very much, Ms. Whitacre
Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA
Senior Member
Username: don_harris

Post Number: 96
Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 01:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Ralph,

We've used the Wall-Shield product a few times now with success. In fact, some of the third party reviewers that owners bring in are recommending it over the DuPont products. We are trying to use it on more projects. It is a little more expensive.
Wayne Yancey
Senior Member
Username: wyancey

Post Number: 233
Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 - 04:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Ralph,

Tyvek Commercial Wrap provides both an air barrier and a water-resistive barrier.

Wrapshield by Proctor Group provides the same dual function. Wrapshield is available in orange and black (uv resistant).

Depending in the building envelope consultant in my area, one will recommend CommercialWrap and accept WrapShield as a preapproved acceptable alternate and vice versa.

Both products are vapor permeable (WrapShield being the highest) for those assemblies with thermal insulation in the stud cavity and a separate vapor barrier located at the warm-in-winter side of the wall.

Both are robust and do the job.

Neither should be used for as an air barrier in projects over 7 storeys. The windload pressures at higher elevations and corners are to great for these products. Vapor permeable membranes such as Air-Bloc 07, 31, or 33 are more appropriate for highrise buildings. Self-sealing waterproof membrane good for all cavity wall and rainscreen systems. More expensive than CommercialWrap and WallShield, but can also be air barrier.

I am sure I will hear from a product rep on their use in highrise construction but when I was in the employ of a pre-emminent building envelope consultant, we would not go over 7 - 10 storeys with CommercialWrap on any exposure.

These products have their place.

Wayne
Tony Riddle
New member
Username: tentmaker

Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2007
Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 04:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I see these air/vapor permeable barriers in manufacturer's literature and assembly diagrams giving the impression at first glance they were code approved as water-resistive barriers over sheathing per IBC 1402.2. Is that the case? I have not found it to be so yet. Opinions?
Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman

Post Number: 455
Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 05:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

If they have an Evaluation Report or a legacy report on file with ICC-ES, then they are considered approved. DuPont (Tyvek, etc.), Fabrene, and Pactiv, are just some of the products that have reports available at the ICC-ES website (www.icc-es.org).

Section 1404.1 of the IBC permits approved alternate materials for exterior wall materials, including water-resistive barriers.

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