How to Install House Wrap: Laps, Fasteners, Tape and Windows.

House wrap goes on from a bottom corner of the wall upward, each course lapped over the one below so water runs down and out. DuPont's Tyvek guide calls for vertical seams lapped 6 in to 12 in, horizontal laps of at least 6 in, cap fasteners on the stud lines and every vertical seam taped. The steps below follow DuPont's December 2025 single-family guide and Typar's installation guide, with the code requirements for the US and Canada.

By Charles Lau · Updated October 23, 2026

  • Start at a bottom corner and work up, lapping each course over the one below.
  • Lap vertical seams 6 in to 12 in and horizontal seams at least 6 in, per DuPont. Typar asks for 6 in both ways and 12 in at a starting corner.
  • Fasten with cap nails or cap staples: DuPont spaces them 6 in to 18 in apart on the stud lines, Typar at 32 in on centre.
  • Tape every vertical seam. Horizontal seams and the top and bottom edges need tape too when the wrap is the air barrier.
  • Cover it on time. Tyvek HomeWrap's Canadian sheet allows 60 days of sun; its US sheet and guide allow 120 days.

What the code asks for.

US: the 2024 IRC, as quoted in DuPont's guide, requires "not fewer than one layer of water-resistive barrier" over the studs or sheathing of all exterior walls, continuous to the top of the walls. Section R703.2 lists the materials, including No. 15 felt to ASTM D226 Type 1 and wraps meeting ASTM E2556 Type 1 or 2. Section R703.1.1 also asks for "a means of draining to the exterior water that penetrates the exterior cladding."

Canada: Subsection 9.27.3 covers sheathing membranes. In British Columbia's code, which uses the same Part 9 numbering as the National Building Code, Article 9.27.3.3 calls for "at least one layer of sheathing membrane" beneath cladding with joints "lapped not less than 100 mm" and upper sheets over lower ones. Provinces adopt their own editions, so check yours.

Start at a bottom corner.

DuPont: "Start at bottom corner of structure to ensure proper shingling throughout the installation." Hold the roll plumb and unroll it straight across the wall, over the window and door openings. In DuPont's windows-after guide, the openings are cut afterwards.

Typar: start at the bottom of one end of the wall with the printed side facing out, and overlap by at least 12 in when you start at a corner.

Wrap before or after the windows depends on the wrap. Typar says to install its wrap before the windows and doors. DuPont publishes one guide for windows installed after the wrap and another for windows installed before it. Follow the guide for the roll on the truck.

Laps and the bottom edge.

Vertical seams: 6 in to 12 in (DuPont). Horizontal: the upper layer laps the lower by at least 6 in (DuPont and Typar). The ICC-ES report for Tyvek, ESR-2375, sets a lower floor of 2 in on horizontal seams unless the maker's instructions ask for more, and DuPont's do.

At the bottom, DuPont runs the roll over the sill plate onto the foundation by at least 1 in and recommends 2 in or more. Typar requires 1 in over the sill plate and recommends 2 in to 4 in.

Fasteners.

DuPont: cap staples, cap nails or cap screws, "no closer than 6" and no farther than 18" on vertical stud lines." Keep fasteners at least 6 in from sills and jambs and 9 in from the head of a window rough opening. Fasteners placed at 24 in to 48 in to hold the roll up are temporary and do not count as the permanent fastening.

Typar: plastic-capped nails or plastic-capped staples into the studs at 32 in on centre, horizontally and vertically.

Tape.

DuPont: "All vertical seams must be taped for both air barrier and water-resistive barrier installations." Tape on horizontal seams is a recommended practice for a water barrier and required when the wrap is the air barrier, along with the top and bottom edges of the wall. DuPont also says Tyvek Tape should not be used to seal the wrap to wood framing or sheathing, gypsum sheathing or masonry.

Typar: once the walls are covered, tape all seams and penetrations with Typar Construction Tape.

Window rough openings.

DuPont's I-cut, for flanged windows installed after the wrap: cut across the bottom and the top of the rough opening, then cut straight down from the top centre to the sill. Cut two 45 degree slits of at least 8 in up and away from the head corners to make a head flap, flip the flap up and hold it with tape. Fold the side flaps into the opening and fasten them inside.

At the sill, the wrap goes under a sill flashing that is not self-adhered, so the laps still shed water. Self-adhered flashing laps at least 2 in onto the wrap.

How long the wrap can stay uncovered.

Each wrap has its own limit, and the same wrap can carry a different figure in each country. Tyvek HomeWrap's Canadian sheet says 60 days of UV exposure. Its US sheet and DuPont's US guide say 120 days. DuPont gives Tyvek CommercialWrap 9 months. Typar BuildingWrap's sheet says 6 months.

Common questions.

Which way does house wrap overlap?
Upper over lower, like shingles, so water running down the face stays on the outside. DuPont asks for at least 6 in on horizontal laps and 6 in to 12 in on vertical seams.
Do you tape the horizontal seams?
DuPont requires tape on every vertical seam. Horizontal seams are a recommended practice for a water barrier and required when the wrap is also the air barrier.
How far apart do house wrap fasteners go?
DuPont: 6 in to 18 in apart on the stud lines, using cap nails, cap staples or cap screws. Typar: 32 in on centre, horizontally and vertically, with plastic-capped nails or staples.
Does house wrap go on before or after the windows?
It depends on the wrap's guide. Typar says before. DuPont publishes guides for both orders. Follow the one for the roll you are installing.
How long can house wrap be left exposed?
Check the sheet for your country. Tyvek HomeWrap: 60 days on the Canadian sheet, 120 days on the US sheet. Tyvek CommercialWrap: 9 months. Typar BuildingWrap: 6 months.

Sources.

For general information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician before starting regular sauna use.

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