04/29/2026
Most people will never see this layer of the home. But it’s the layer that decides how well the house actually performs 20 years from now. 🏠
This is our first project using the ZIP-R system, and honestly, we’re pretty excited about it.
Here’s what it does: instead of standard sheathing plus a separate house wrap plus cavity insulation doing all the work, ZIP-R combines three jobs into one panel. You get the structural sheathing, the air and water barrier, AND a continuous layer of exterior insulation, all in one product, installed in one pass.
We went with the R6: about an inch of rigid insulation bonded to a half inch of ZIP sheathing.
Why it matters:
→ Continuous exterior insulation eliminates thermal bridging through the studs (where a huge % of energy loss actually happens)
→ Tighter air seal means the HVAC isn’t fighting the building envelope
→ Better moisture management equals a longer-lasting home
→ More consistent indoor temps, fewer cold spots, fewer hot spots
This is the part of the build most homeowners never think to ask about. But it’s exactly the kind of decision that separates a house that looks great on day one from a house that performs great for the next 50 years.
Building science keeps getting better. Our job is to keep using it. 🔨
