Blog Post

Do You Know Your Home - Exterior Walls

Lewis Builders Development • Jul 15, 2020

In this edition of " Do You Know Your Home? " we're reviewing the exterior wall materials that improve your new home's comfort and efficiency. If you've visited Sawmill Ridge while on the search for your new home, you may have noticed the ZIP System® green exterior walls covering the new construction prior to siding installation. Lewis Builders trusts the ZIP System to provide superior weather proofing characteristics that will not only protect the structural integrity of your home, but also save you money when it comes to energy costs. If you would like to understand how, lets first go over some terminology.

Achieving a "Tight House" (Also, What Is a "Tight House"?)

So, a "tight house" refers to a home with a superior level of insulation that prevents energy from infiltrating through the house. There are several contributing factors to achieving a tight house including a correctly installed foundation and a solid roof but a major factor lies in the exterior wall installation.

Here in New Hampshire, the weather is unpredictable and always changing. While you might be thinking of the weather that will affect your home over time or during those harsh winters (while you are living in it), weather can play a big part in affecting the very construction of your home.

While building a house has become much more efficient, it is still a process that takes weeks if not months. Over the course of this time, moisture and weather can affect the overall tightness of a house if not kept at bay.

Securing the exterior walls and roofing with a moisture barrier in a timely manner can play a big role in achieving a tight house. This is a key component in Lewis Builders construction that also allows our teams to promptly start work on the interior, free from the elements and moisture.

Next, Let's Explain What a ZIP System Actually Is

Bear with us while we explain the technical stuff. The ZIP System® sheathing and tape offers builders a unique solution to traditional roof and wall systems by utilizing a built-in energy-efficient, water-resistive barrier that reduces air leakage and provides outstanding moisture management.

The ZIP System offers a streamlined installation process that requires only one person to tape together, making jobs easier and more efficient for siding installation. Unlike traditional house wrap, which requires multiple crew members and a lot of time and attention to install, the ZIP System offers quick and easy solutions that weatherproof your home. This material only one installer to tape the system and create an air and moisture barrier.

The housing wrap can be very sloppy, especially if the builders apply it when the weather is bad. Moisture can trap itself inside the house and cause molding and weathering of the support beams. The ZIP System offers a great solution, because it requires half the workforce and is easier to install, providing virtually instantaneous resistance, regardless of what the weather conditions are like during installation

Additionally, it seals air inside the home as well, which can save you up to 40% in energy costs and allows you to retain heat for much longer inside your home.

Now for The Good Part: Why This Matters to You

While some other builders may choose to use the ZIP System sheathing, Lewis Builders has gone a step further with our insulation process in the homes at Sawmill Ridge.

Most builders will use R-21 insulation inside the wall studs, then use the ZIP System sheathing over it all. Unfortunately, the wood studs carry little resistance against heat flow, and energy can easily escape through them.

That is why Lewis Builders uses R-21 fiberglass insulation in our walls and an additional R-6 insulated Zip wallboard. The board utilizes a panel thickness of 1" and incorporates polyisocyanurate foam insulation integrated in the back of the panels. The board is layered in between the fiberglass and the ZIP System sheathing, offering both a greater resistance to heat flow and a protective layer over the exposed wall studs.

The result is saving more money towards energy cost due to increased thermal performance and minimal thermal bridging. According to Electricity Local , the state-wide average for electrical cost comes to $99 a month. Thanks to our ZIP System process, Sawmill Ridge homes average out to $44 a month. That means you can stay cozy this winter without being left in the cold to pay high energy prices.

If you'd like to learn more about the benefits of the ZIP System R Sheathing used in Lewis Builders new homes check out this informational video put together in collaboration with Huber Engineered Woods :

The homes at Caleb Commons host numerous features that set them apart from other housing developments. Stay tuned for our next post in this series where we talk about the interior walls.

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