I notice that in the USA they tape up their entire houses outside with so-called house wraps, a bit like our moisture barriers but on the outside. I don't quite understand their reasoning, isn't it supposed to be on the inside of the insulation that you want the barrier, otherwise moisture accumulates indoors? They seem to build houses quite differently there, for example, they almost only have single-stage facades, which sounds like a rot disaster waiting to happen, but maybe that's why they have house wraps?
One thing I think is that perhaps in the American climate, which is generally very warm, they want the barrier on the outside because moisture seeks from warm to cold, and in the USA most have A/C and cool their houses most of the year instead of heating them. But I've seen house wraps on houses in Canada too.... Just a quick theory, it would be interesting to know more if anyone has knowledge about the different building techniques here and over there.
One thing I think is that perhaps in the American climate, which is generally very warm, they want the barrier on the outside because moisture seeks from warm to cold, and in the USA most have A/C and cool their houses most of the year instead of heating them. But I've seen house wraps on houses in Canada too.... Just a quick theory, it would be interesting to know more if anyone has knowledge about the different building techniques here and over there.
I think it sounds like an OK thing in the southern USA considering the warm and humid climate there.
But in the northern USA it seems crazy.
But in the northern USA it seems crazy.