The Energy Efficient Home: Zip System Sheathing

If you’ve followed the blog over the past couple of weeks, you can’t help but notice the emphasis policy makers and homeowners are placing on better built, more efficient homes. Although these may cost more money up front, a more efficient home lasts longer, has more value, and saves the homeowner more money. And, it can lower the homeowner’s carbon footprint. But, what products make a difference?

The Zip System is just one example in a growing product line offered by several leading building materials manufacturers. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll call these materials “advance sheathing” because there are similar products under different names offered by several leading building materials manufacturers. Below, you’ll find a bulleted list of the benefits of the Zip Sheathing System:
Zip Roof Sheathing 

• Instant Rough Dry-in for 120 days

• Eliminates the need for H-Clip

• Finish Construction Faster

Zip Wall Sheathing

• Code Recognized Water-Resistive Barrier
• Type 1 Air Barrier
• Panel Breathability

The bottom line:
Huber Engineered Woods has created a superior product to conventional OSB or Plywood sheathing. There may be a slight price premium for the Zip System, but those costs are offset, and may be eliminated due to several reasons:

  1) Reduced construction time and labor costs
  2)Reduced materials cost
  3)A better built home.

Additionally, with the Zip System, you don’t have to worry about the housewrap blowing off during the construction process; and it provides superior protection if nasty weather should damage a house. Furthermore, take a look at the picture below. It just looks cleaner.

Photo Courtesy of Huber Engineered Woods