Weather-Resistive Barriers® Overview

A weather-resistive barrier represents a fundamental element in a commercial or residential wall system because it plays the critical role in moisture control. While not visible once the construction of walls has been completed, a proper weather-resistive barrier:

Serves as the primary component in a drainage plane, forming the vertical surface behind the exterior wall cladding (stucco, brick, etc.) that allows water to safely drain out of the wall.
Provides the opportunity for moisture inside the wall to dry because of its ability to allow moisture to pass through the barrier material and let wet wall components dry safely.
Protects the wall from water that makes its way through the exterior cladding, thereby acting as a barricade. This helps prevent water from damaging the interior wall system components, such as insulation and framing.

Properly installed, a weather-resistive barrier can make a major difference in the long-term durability of walls. In a wide range of cases where wall systems have failed to provide protection, detailed examinations by investigators found that weather-resistive barriers and flashing were either not installed - or if they were included as part of the wall system -were not installed or integrated properly. (See Moisture Control Flashing Systems for a discussion on flashing.) The Jumbo Tex® and Fortify® product lines have demonstrated their effectiveness in the field as weather-resistive barriers behind stucco, fiber cement siding and brick, as well as vinyl and wood siding. Their forty-year track record makes them the right products to deliver protection as integral elements in a complete Moisture Control System.

Weather-Resistive Barrier

Known for its incredible durability and reliability in wall systems, the Jumbo Tex® product line has been chosen by builders and architects to protect over four million homes and commercial buildings from the problems caused by water intrusion and excessive moisture. It provides an effective weather-resistive barrier behind stucco, fiber cement and brick, as well as wood and vinyl siding. br>
Jumbo Tex uniquely addresses the requirements for weather-resistive barriers while exceeding all standards for Grade "D" Building Paper. Designed using asphalt saturated kraft paper, this cost-effective solution offers rugged durability that resists tears and punctures on the jobsite.

Jumbo Tex is available in three categories of finished products - Classic, Premier, and Professional - with both one and two-ply options, so a solution can be specified for virtually any building requirement.

Fortify® is the first alternative to housewraps and felt products that delivers optimum performance at an economical cost. Unlike plastic wraps, Fortify balances exceptional water resistance with optimum water vapor transmission. The product is six times more water resistant than plastic wraps, yet permeable enough to allow water vapor to escape from the wall cavity.

To download Product Data Sheets, Material Safety Data Sheets and Product Installation Guides:
http://www.fortifiber.com/FBSG/library_weather_resistive_barriers.htm