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  • What if a nail over-penetrates the panel surface during fastening?

    As with all structural panels, it is good building practice for fasteners not to penetrate the panels more than 1/8". If a fastener creates a hole all the way through the panel, we recommend that you tape over the hole.

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  • What is a water-resistive barrier?

    A water-resistive barrier is a secondary line of defense against water penetrating into the wall system – the primary defense being the exterior wall cladding. While some think it only serves to protect the walls during the construction process, this barrier must perform even after the siding/exterior cladding is installed. A water-resistive barrier is a secondary line of defense against water penetrating into the wall system – the primary defense being the exterior wall cladding. While some think it only serves to protect the walls during the construction process, this barrier must perform even after the siding/exterior cladding is installed.

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  • Are water-resistive barriers the same as vapor barriers?

    • No. Vapor barriers prevent water vapor transmission, while water-resistive barriers are designed to prevent liquid water intrusion. While it is good construction practice to use water-resistive barriers for residential structures, the use and location of vapor barriers depend on climate, geography. No. Vapor barriers prevent water vapor transmission, while water-resistive barriers are designed to prevent liquid water intrusion. While it is good construction practice to use water-resistive barriers for residential structures, the use and location of vapor barriers depend on climate, geography, building design and local code requirements.

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  • Why is ZIP System® wall sheathing superior?

    • Eliminates Housewrap - Stormex™ built-in water-resistive barrier means fast, easy installation
    • Built-in Water-Resistive Barrier Won’t Blow off or Tear - Once the system is installed, no rework, no hassles
    • Air Resistance - Built-in barrier controls drafts which promotes energy efficiency
    • Water Resistance - Built-in barrier protects home during and after construction and eliminates the risk of trapped water between housewrap and sheathing
    • Moisture Breathability - ZIP System panel and barrier are specially engineered to allow the ZIP System wall to breathe
    • Peace of Mind - 15-Year System Warranty and 30-Year Panel warranty*
      • *Limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty for complete details.

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  • Is the system code recognized?

    Yes. ZIP System wall sheathing is recognized by the International Code Council Evaluation Service as a water-resistive barrier. Complete details, including our Evaluation Report, ICC ESR 1474, can be found at huberwood.com/zip or the ICC-ES website at www.icc-es.org.

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  • Do I install ZIP System wall sheathing like regular sheathing?

    Yes. Install the ZIP System wall sheathing like regular structural sheathing. The panels can be installed horizontally or vertically, and the green Stormex water-resistive barrier should face the outside of the house. 1/8” spacing between edges of adjacent panels is recommended. The 8’ edges on ZIP System wall panels have a unique self-spacing profile that provides the recommended 1/8” gap. Standard spacing procedures should be used between adjacent 4’ panel edges.. For ease of installation, a fastening guide for internal fastening is pre-printed on the panels for horizontal and vertical installation. Note: Tighter o.c. fastening may be required by design documents, or local code jurisdictions. Refer to local code, design documents or local jurisdictions for perimeter fastening requirements.

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  • Can I use the ZIP System wall sheathing panels on the roof?

    No. ZIP System wall sheathing should only be used in wall applications. The ZIP System wall panel is specially formulated for use in wall applications. ZIP System roof panels are specially formulated for use in roof applications. See www.huberwood.com/zip and ICC-ESR-1473 for more ZIP System roof information.

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  • What is permeance, and why is it important?

    Permeance is a property that defines the ease at which water molecules diffuse through a material, typically measured in "perms." While water resistive barriers are designed to keep liquid water out of the wall system, they are also generally designed to allow moisture vapor to pass through so that the wall system can “breathe” meaning moisture vapor will not accumulate in the wall system.

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  • Will my water-resistive barrier still breathe if I use ZIP System wall sheathing?

    Yes. Stormex water-resistive barrier has been tested for water vapor transmission and meets the UBC Standard 14-1 (Table 14-1-A) requirements for typical Grade “D” building paper that is commonly used in residential buildings.

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  • Do I need to tape all of the seams between the ZIP System wall sheathing panels?

    Yes. When using ZIP System wall sheathing all seams between the panels must be taped with ZIP System tape to ensure that it functions both as a water-resistive barrier and as an air barrier.

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  • Can I use tape other than ZIP System tape to seal the seams between panels?

    No. Only ZIP System tape should be used with ZIP System wall. Specially formulated to work with the ZIP System sheathing, ZIP System tape completes the ZIP System. ZIP System tape is the only tape code approved for use with ZIP System wall sheathing via ICC-ES ESR-1474.

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  • How do I install the ZIP System tape?

    The ZIP System tape gun or ZIP System tape roller are specially designed for ease of tape application and can be purchased at your ZIP System wall retail locations. The gun and roller not only makes tape application fast and easy, it also provide a high quality tape seal.

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  • Can I install ZIP System tape in the rain?

    No. ZIP System tape should only be installed in dry weather conditions.

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  • Can I install the tape in low temperatures?

    ZIP System™ Tape should only be applied in temperatures 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius) and above.

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  • Can I use ZIP System tape as a flashing tape?

    Yes. ZIP System tape is code recognized as a Window & Door Flashing Tape when used with ZIP System wall (ESR-2227). ZIP System tape should not be used as a flashing tape with other wall systems.

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  • My ZIP System panels have faded since installation. Is there something wrong with them?

    No. Some level of fading is normal with prolonged UV exposure. It has no impact on the performance of the Stormex water-resistive barrier.

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  • Can I use termite sprays with ZIP System wall?

    ZIP System wall sheathing can be used with field applied water soluble wood treatments containing Borates as the active ingredient. Panel surface must be dry prior to tape application.

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  • Does ZIP System wall meet PS-2 requirements?

    Yes. ZIP System wall sheathing panels have been tested and meet PS-2 requirements.

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  • Who do I call if I have a question regarding the ZIP System wall?

    Call 800-933-9220 and a Huber representative will assist you.

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  • Is the ZIP System covered by a warranty?

    Yes. It is covered by a 15-Year System Warranty* and 30-Year Panel Warranty*. Please visit huberwood.com/zip for complete details. *Limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty for complete details

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  • I have used ZIP System wall on my roof. What should I do?

    ZIP System wall was developed for use in the wall application as a structural panel with a built-in water resistive barrier. It is code recognized for wall applications only – ESR #1474. To ensure proper usage, we have made the panels different colors, usage information included in all sales materials, and WALL USE ONLY is printed on the panel and packaging. The panel is covered by a 15-year system warranty* and 30-year panel warranty* only if used in the correct application.

    Total Roof – ZIP System wall panels conform to the requirements of PS-2. From a structural perspective, where a 7/16” 24/16 commodity panel is allowed for use on a roof, ZIP System wall can be used. However, because ESR-1474 recognizes ZIP System wall as a structural panel with a built-in water resistive barrier for walls, some type of code recognized roof underlayment must be installed. As with any other panel, if an underlayment is not installed, the job site may get red tagged. For the sake of clarity, a ZIP System wall panel on a roof should be viewed as a commodity PS-2 panel only.

    Partial/Few Panels – The panels should be removed and replaced. The panels are a different thickness and are specially designed for roof and/or wall applications.

    *Limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty for complete details.

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  • How long can I leave the ZIP System wall sheathing exposed before I install exterior cladding?

    The ZIP System wall is specially designed to provide protection against UV exposure and can be exposed for up to 120 days.

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  • What if a ZIP System sheathing panel is damaged during installation resulting in minor damage to the Stormex water-resistive barrier?

    Minor damage in the ZIP System sheathing panel and/or Stormex barrier should be taped over with ZIP System tape.

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  • Can I use ZIP System tape to tape seams of regular OSB or plywood sheathing?

    No. ZIP System tape is specially designed to work with the ZIP System panels and should not be used with other panel products.

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  • Can I use the ZIP System wall sheathing with all types of exterior cladding?

    The ZIP System can be used with the following exterior claddings: brick, traditional hard coat stucco, vinyl, wood and fiber-cement siding, stone, mechanically attached and drainable EIFS and cedar shakes. Follow all cladding manufacturer’s installation instructions.

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  • I have used ZIP System roof on my walls. What should I do?

    ZIP System roof was developed for use in the roof application as a structural panel with a built-in moisture barrier. It is code recognized for roof applications only – ESR #1473. To ensure proper usage, we have made the panels different colors, usage information included in all sales materials, and ROOF USE ONLY is printed on the panel and packaging. The panel is covered by a 15-year system warranty* and 30-year panel* warranty only if used in the correct application. Total Wall – ZIP System roof panels conform to the requirements of PS-2. From a structural perspective, where a 1/2” 32/16 commodity panel is allowed for use on walls, ZIP System roof can be used. However, because ESR-1473 recognizes ZIP System Roof as a structural panel with a built-in moisture barrier for roofs, some type of code recognized water resistive barrier must be installed. As with any other panel, if a water resistive barrier is not installed, the job site may get red tagged. For the sake of clarity, a Zip System roof panel on a wall should be viewed as a commodity PS-2 panel only. Partial/Few Panels – The panels should be removed and replaced. The panels are a different thickness and are specially designed for roof and/or wall applications.

    *Limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty for complete details.

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