Contents
- Why “Tyvek” is not one product
- Tyvek HomeWrap — the residential standard
- Tyvek CommercialWrap and CommercialWrap D — when to step up
- Tyvek DrainWrap — the drainage variant explained
- Tyvek ThermaWrap LE — when radiant heat matters
- The most common Tyvek install mistakes
- Which Tyvek for which siding
- What we spec at SwagerBuilds
- FAQ
- Need help picking?
TL;DR: Tyvek HomeWrap is the standard residential house wrap. CommercialWrap is more durable with longer UV exposure. CommercialWrap D and DrainWrap add ≥98% drainage efficiency — important under stucco, fiber cement, and any reservoir cladding. ThermaWrap LE adds a reflective face for radiant heat. Pick by cladding type, not by what your lumberyard pushes.
Why “Tyvek” is not one product
Builders use “Tyvek” the same way people use “Kleenex” — as a generic term for house wrap. But DuPont sells five distinct Tyvek products for residential and light commercial walls. They’re not interchangeable. Pick the wrong one and your stucco wall has nowhere for bulk water to escape. Pick the right one and you’ve added a $300-$800 line to the bid that pays back for the life of the building.
Tyvek HomeWrap — the residential standard
HomeWrap is the entry point. A spunbonded polyethylene non-woven membrane stapled over OSB or plywood sheathing. Greater than 90% drainage efficiency per ASTM E2273. 120-day UV exposure limit. Meets ASTM E2556 Type II for vapor-permeable WRBs. This is the right call for most residential cladding situations — lap siding, board-and-batten, vinyl, metal panel — where the cladding sheds the bulk of the water.
Tyvek CommercialWrap and CommercialWrap D — when to step up
CommercialWrap is engineered for the rougher world of commercial construction — longer exposure, heavier abrasion, more demanding flashing details. UV exposure is rated at 9 months. Drainage efficiency is greater than 90%. CommercialWrap D adds greater than 98% drainage efficiency. The “D” stands for drainage. This is the wrap to spec when the cladding holds water against the wall — stucco, adhered manufactured stone, fiber cement in heavy rain regions.
Tyvek DrainWrap — the drainage variant explained
DrainWrap is HomeWrap with vertical grooves embossed into the surface. The grooves create a physical channel for bulk water to drain down and out the bottom of the wall instead of pooling against the sheathing. Greater than 98% drainage efficiency. UV exposure is 4 months. Spec DrainWrap under any cladding that can hold or store moisture: three-coat stucco, manufactured stone, fiber cement in wet climates, engineered wood lap siding without a separate rain screen.
Tyvek ThermaWrap LE — when radiant heat matters
ThermaWrap LE has a metallized reflective face designed to reflect radiant heat. It’s a high-permeability wrap that meets ASTM E2556 Type II. The application is specific: hot, sunny climates where reflecting solar gain off the wall is worth the cost upgrade, or assemblies that want a low-emissivity face inside a ventilated rain screen cavity. On a Teton Valley build, rarely the right call. On a desert Southwest build, it pencils.
The most common Tyvek install mistakes
- Reverse overlaps. Tyvek needs to lap shingle-style — upper sheet over lower sheet, by at least 6″. Reversed laps direct water into the wall.
- No tape on the seams. Code allows stapled overlaps in some jurisdictions, but DuPont’s documented assembly uses Tyvek tape on horizontal seams to make the wrap function as both WRB and air barrier.
- Unflashed window head. The window head is where water that runs down meets a horizontal interruption. Without head flashing lapped over the wrap, water finds the framing.
- UV exposure past the rating. 120 days HomeWrap, 9 months CommercialWrap, 4 months DrainWrap. Past those windows the warranty is void.
- Tucked instead of lapped at sill plates. Wrap needs to lap over the foundation flashing, not tuck behind it.
Which Tyvek for which siding
| Cladding | Recommended Tyvek | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lap siding (LP SmartSide, James Hardie, wood) | HomeWrap | Cladding sheds water; standard WRB sufficient |
| Vertical siding (board-and-batten, metal panel) | HomeWrap | Drainage gap from cladding profile usually adequate |
| Traditional 3-coat stucco | DrainWrap or CommercialWrap D | Stucco holds water; needs documented drainage plane |
| Manufactured stone / adhered veneer | DrainWrap, two layers per code | Reservoir cladding; code typically requires two WRB layers behind |
| Fiber cement in heavy rain | DrainWrap or CommercialWrap D | Drainage improves wall durability in wet conditions |
| Metal siding on a barndo or shop home | HomeWrap | Cladding sheds; ribbed profile provides drainage |
What we spec at SwagerBuilds
On most Teton Valley custom homes with lap or vertical siding, we run Tyvek HomeWrap with rigorous attention to the flashing details — that’s where wraps actually fail. On any build with stucco, manufactured stone, or stone veneer accents, we step up to DrainWrap. The cost upgrade is roughly $0.10–$0.15 per sq ft of wall area, and it removes a real long-term moisture risk.
FAQ
What’s the difference between Tyvek HomeWrap and CommercialWrap?
HomeWrap is the residential standard with a 120-day UV exposure rating. CommercialWrap is heavier-duty with a 9-month UV rating and is engineered for commercial-grade abrasion. Both are 90%+ drainage efficient.
Do I need DrainWrap or is HomeWrap enough?
Spec DrainWrap if your cladding holds water — three-coat stucco, manufactured stone, fiber cement in wet climates. For lap siding, board-and-batten, metal panel, or vinyl, HomeWrap is sufficient.
How long can Tyvek be left exposed before siding goes on?
HomeWrap: 120 days. CommercialWrap: 9 months. CommercialWrap D: 9 months. DrainWrap: 4 months. Exceeding the limit voids the warranty.
What’s Tyvek’s perm rating?
Tyvek HomeWrap is rated at roughly 56 perms — very high permeability. All Tyvek wall wraps meet ASTM E2556 Type II.
Can I install Tyvek under metal siding on a barndominium?
Yes. Tyvek HomeWrap is a standard pairing with ribbed metal cladding on a barndo. The ribbed profile provides drainage channels. Attention to fastener-penetration sealing matters.
What’s the most common Tyvek install mistake?
Reverse overlap. Tyvek needs to lap shingle-style with upper sheets over lower sheets. A reversed overlap directs water into the wall.
Need help picking?
If you’re trying to decide which Tyvek variant fits your cladding, give us a call. Contact SwagerBuilds.
Related: pillar guide, ZIP vs Tyvek, best WRB for Idaho.
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