ZIP System® Roof and Wall Sheathing Pave The Way For Texas Builder’s Homes
Wayne Jeansonne, owner of Solluna Builders in Austin, Texas, specializes in green remodeling and construction and is always searching for new products to help him achieve the most environmentally-friendly houses possible. Recently, he used ZIP System® roof and wall sheathing in one of the few homes to receive the Austin Energy Five-Star rating for
energy efficiency.
“I was familiar with ZIP System roof and wall sheathing, but I didn’t try it until I started building the house for Cynthia Brown. She wanted to build the most energy-efficient home possible on a modest, middle-class salary,” stated Jeansonne. “I decided to use ZIP System roof and wall sheathing for several reasons but primarily because I believed that its moisture resistance and air barrier properties could help us achieve the Austin Energy Five-Star rating.”
ZIP System roof sheathing is a structural panel that has a built-in moisture barrier and ZIP System wall sheathing is a structural panel with a built-in water-resistive barrier. The seams of the panels are taped using ZIP System™ tape to create moisture resistance for seams, valleys and ridges. The combination of these factors provides reduced air flow, improving energy efficiency performance.
“Cynthia’s new house is 1,480 square-feet and built to look like the other 1960s homes in her neighborhood, but it is very different in its construction. In my opinion, the components used to build the house actually helped surpass the requirements to receive the Austin Energy Five-Star rating by 61 points. The house received 186 points and only 125 points are needed for the rating,” stated Jeansonne. “But, the energy efficient component of the ZIP System roof and wall system wasn’t the only reason why I used, and have continued to use, these products.”
ZIP System roof and wall sheathing does not require felt or housewrap, due to the fact that the ZIP System® panels are code recognized as wood structural panels with water resistive barriers combined in one product. The ZIP System panels and ZIP System tape combination expedites installation, prevents rework and provides an instant 120-day rough dry-in, allowing builders to schedule subcontractors sooner to complete the house in less time.
“I have a real problem with housewrap because I believe it creates a lot of waste, and it’s hard to train people to apply it correctly. I think that the ZIP System wall sheathing takes the guesswork out of construction because the weather-resistant barrier is built into the panel, making the process easier and faster. My framer loves this product because it helps him do his job faster, and he avoids rework from torn housewrap,” stated Jeansonne. “And, since there isn’t a lot of wasted material, I produce less environmental waste and have a cleaner construction site which increases the curb appeal of the home.”
Jeansonne continues to use ZIP System roof and wall sheathing on all of his builds. “It is important to understand the lifecycle of a product and consider its performance in a house over a lifetime,” stated Jeansonne. “Through the years, I’ve done a lot of remodeling, and I’ve seen a lot of systems that have failed, to the detriment of the family. I don’t want to use any products that introduce chemicals or hazardous materials like mold into a house. I believe the ZIP System roof and wall sheathing keeps moisture out of the house which is the first step in preventing mold and other damage to a house.”