Installing Tar Paper Under Siding

Faq s acronym s terminology to tyvek or not to tyvek that is the question.

Installing tar paper under siding.

We re in the coastal rainforest of southeast alaska very wet. Our new build house has been standing without siding for two years. Staple down the tar paper. Tack the end of the paper to the wall using a construction stapler.

In fact many builders disagree on the effectiveness of house wraps altogether and while some builders will only install 15 pound asphalt saturated felt paper underneath exterior siding others swear by plastic fabric house wraps such as typar or tyvek. Another great installation tip is to make sure the first strip of tar paper is installed so it overlaps the top of the foundation at least an inch. Position the next course of tar paper farther up the roof so that its lower edge overlaps the upper edge of the paper in the first course by 1 foot. Install all subsequent courses with the same overlap until the top edge of the paper is within 6 inches of the roof s peak.

If you will be attaching the building paper with cap nails use a chalkline to mark the sheathing with the locations of studs. You want any water that does get behind the siding to run down and never be allowed to get near any wood. Some roofers prefer to attach felt underlayment with 1 inch roofing nails or special nails with plastic washers but most codes allow staples which are easier to drive. Hold a roll of felt paper against the left edge of the wall with the top end of the roll aligned with the chalk line.

I want to replace the tar paper but i can t find it at homedepot or lowes. Working with a helper unroll the paper so it is about 2 inches below the sill plate and pull it taut. Use tyvek over building felt under siding. The walls are intended to dry to the outside.

The house will have a rain screen gap made of strips of pt plywood. I am about to replace the weathered tar paper with two new layers of 15 felt before siding the house with cedar clapboards.