Water Resistant Barrier

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) (whose membership combined with the membership of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance [IGMA] into one organization, the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance [FGIA]) defines weather-resistant barriers as surfaces or walls responsible for preventing air and water infiltration to the building interior. Weather-resistive barriers help keep building materials dry and improve building durability while also decreasing maintenance costs and reducing the risk of problems caused by moisture.


The Henry portfolio of weather-resistant barriers offers a multitude of options, including self-adhesive to mechanically fastened barriers as well as Asphalt Saturated Kraft (ASK) building paper solutions specifically for stucco applications. Glen-Gery has weather-resistant barriers that are non-woven building wraps with a breathable polyolefin coating that performs as both a water-resistive barrier and an air barrier in accordance with the International Residential Code.

Types of weather-resistant barriers include building paper, which is either a traditional paper sheet or asphalt-coated or -impregnated to increase strength and resistance to water penetration. This method will be primarily employed to protect against moisture as a drainage layer. 

Housewrap, on the other hand, relates to sun-plastic sheet materials which are wrapped around a house or building to protect against moisture penetration. Housewrap may also reduce air infiltration. 


Housewrap is typically more expensive than building paper, and some home systems may employ water-resistive sheathing such as rigid foam board. This method can be a weather-resistant barrier that eliminates the need for building paper or housewrap. 


Benefits of weather-resistant barriers include: 

  • UV resistant for up to nine months
  • Provides advanced moisture management
  • Non-woven construction
  • Air barrier
  • Water-resistive barrier
  • Residential and commercial applications
  • Breathes to allow moisture vapor to escape

Types of weather-resistant barriers include building paper, which is either a traditional paper sheet or asphalt-coated or -impregnated to increase strength and resistance to water penetration. This method will be primarily employed to protect against moisture as a drainage layer. 

Housewrap, on the other hand, relates to sun-plastic sheet materials which are wrapped around a house or building to protect against moisture penetration. Housewrap may also reduce air infiltration. 


Housewrap is typically more expensive than building paper, and some home systems may employ water-resistive sheathing such as rigid foam board. This method can be a weather-resistant barrier that eliminates the need for building paper or housewrap. 

Benefits of weather-resistant barriers include: 

  • Vapro Shield

    WrapShield SA is a self-adhered, water resistive vapor permeable air barrier sheet membrane. It will resist bulk water infiltration, allow building materials to dry out, and alleviate any moisture infiltration, mold, mildew and rot. Vapro Shield guarantees long term durability with 20 year material warranty. WrapShield SA® Self-Adhered sheet membrane is used behind Rainscreen wall cladding assemblies such as ventilated Rainscreen cladding systems incorporating composite and metal materials, masonry and stone veneers, stucco and mechanically attached EIFS without the need of a primer.


    Vapor Permeable Air Barriers (vaproshield.com)

  • Blue Skin

    BlueSkin is a Henry brand water resistive barrier which is backed by an industry-leading 15 year warranty. Blue Skin VP100 is a premium, self adhered vapor permeable, water resistive barrier designed for wood-framed residential and multi family construction projects. It protects buildings by eliminating air gaps and water and moisture intrusion and self-seals around nails and fasteners. Blueskin VP100 combines an engineered film and a patented, permeable adhesive technology with split-back poly-release film. Henry also offers durable sealants, liquid-flashing, moistop and rainscreen products.


    HEN_BlueskinVPResiBrochure.pdf (henry.com)

  • HydroGap - Drainable

    HydroGap® Drainable Housewrap is the best performing drainable housewrap on the market. This product allows construction professionals to Build Better™ by effectively eliminating excess moisture, thereby preventing the damaging effects of mold and rot. Its patent-pending one millimeter spacers allow at least 100X more bulk water to drain from a wall versus standard housewraps. 


    HydroGap® Drainable Housewrap - Benjamin Obdyke

  • Tyvek

    Engineered to provide excellent performance as an air and water barrier. Tyvek® 


    CommercialWrap® can help in three vital areas, as part of a building envelope system: 


    controlling air leakage, which can impact the efficient operation of HVAC systems, costing the commercial building sector billions each year. It provides the best balance of air and moisture management resulting in more durable and energy efficient structures. Tyvek CommercialWrap® is made from 100% flash spunbonded high density polyethylene fibers which have been bonded together by heat and pressure, without binders or fillers, into a tough durable sheet structure. Additives have been incorporated into the polyethylene to provide ultraviolet light resistance.


    We can even attach a PDF link for visitors to visit: Tyvek® CommercialWrap® (dupont.com)