As a homebuilder, you should be acutely aware of the benefits of having a good, high-quality house wrap installed on your homes. While many in the past have chosen to forego a house wrap in favor of stacking together a few traditional layers of protection like siding, flashing, trim, caulking, and others, any homebuilder in 2019 knows that this just is not enough.
With the pernicious infiltration of tiny water vapor droplets occurring over time, even having the best that money can buy in terms of traditional protection just won’t cut it. This seemingly small amount of water moisture can get in behind and between cracks near windows, doors, and other open areas, leading to warped walls, wood rot, and mold.
Preventing this is only possible with a high-quality house wrap that can prevent more moisture from getting in than your average trim-job, as well as let any moisture that does seep in evaporate quickly before it has the chance to lay the groundwork for rot and mold.
However, with so many house wrap manufacturers now on the market, it can be hard to pick between them and make the best choice for your own company. In order to be better informed about what a good house wrap manufacturer looks like, let’s take a look at 5 key things you want when choosing your building partner.
1. A High-Quality Product
This is understood, but it’s still a good one to keep in mind. Not every house wrap is of high quality. Companies like Barricade® have an outstanding track record when it comes to the performance of their house wraps, and should be near the top of your list when looking for the best house wrap.
2. Installation or Training
When you look at a company’s webpage or call them up, do they have a lot of information available for you? Are they able to tell you how their product works, what makes it worth your money, and exactly how to install it, step by step? If they are lost for words when presented with any of these questions, they might not be as good as they say they are.
3. A Strong Warranty
A house wrap is something that should last for a long time. Some have a UV exposure rating of up to 12 months, and they should have a warranty that matches this at the very least. If a house wrap manufacturer is confident in their product, they should have a warranty included that reflects this confidence.
Companies don’t generally lose money on warranties in the long run, so if they aren’t willing to offer you a solid warranty on your purchase, it could be a sign of distrust in their own product.
4. A Variety of Products
Different climates call for different house wraps. There won’t be a terrible amount of variation and difference between individual house wrap offerings from any one company, but there should be some wiggle room for customers. Some types of house wrap are more suited for certain environments or conditions, while others might be more suitable for different scenarios or homes.
If you find a company who is only offering one or two types of house wraps, they probably aren’t covering all the bases that they can in terms of variety. Be careful of any house wrap manufacturer who tries to sell you on a one-size-fits-all product, they often turn out to be deficient in areas that were of particular importance to your specific building situation.
5. Solid Partnership
Last but not least, customer service is always important when looking for a house wrap manufacturer. You want a team that is friendly, knowledgeable, and not afraid to divulge some useful tips and knowledge when it comes to keeping your house wrap in prime condition for as long as possible. Nobody likes interacting with grumpy individuals when trying to put together the highest-quality home possible.
The Devil’s In the Details
Any average Joe can push house wraps, but if you want the best around you’ll need to keep the 5 tips we discussed in this article in mind. Look for a house wrap manufacturer that is not only knowledgeable and friendly but offers a warranty and a decent variety of products as well.
If you’re looking for a long-term partner, let us tell you how Barricade® can help you with all your future projects.