Material for thin profile wall sheathing air barrier behind tub ?
Looking at a couple of GBA detail files:
AIR SEALING BEHIND TUB WITH THIN-PROFILE SHEATHING (5-01009)
AIR SEALING BEHIND SHOWER WITH THIN-PROFILE SHEATHING (5-01007)
New house addition will have tub and shower on exterior wall; there will be no pipe or wire penetrations in the wall. Wall construction outside-> inside is:
fiber cement siding
3/4 strapping (rainscreen)
2″ Roxul Comfortboard
#15 asphalt felt
5/8 plywood, all joints taped with Siga Wigluv
2×6 studs
5-1/2″ Roxul batt
The detail files specify “thin profile sheathing” as the interior air barrier. Which of the following materials would be OK:
Membrain smart vapor retarder (concerned about punctures in area under tub)
Tyvek house wrap
Hardibacker board
1/4″ plywood
poly sheet (I have some 12 mil laminated sheet that is very puncture resistant)
Thanks,
Mike
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Replies
Forgot to mention - I am in climate zone 4 - mountains of Virginia. Hot humid summers and winter low temperatures of 10-20 degrees F.
Michael,
If you click the "Key Materials" tab on the detail page, you can read the following advice from Peter Yost: "Thin-profile sheathing could be ThermoPly, gypsum board, rigid foam, OSB, or underlayment — pretty much whatever is available and inexpensive."