Professional Builder – August 2019

WHY I CHOOSE ZIP SYSTEM

®

SHEATHING AND TAPE FOR

QUICK ROUGH DRY-IN

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By: John Hourihan

To learn more about ZIP System® sheathing and tape, visit ZIPSystem.com/Roof.

As builders working in New England, we have a joke:
Don’t like the weather? Wait 30 minutes and it will
change. But seriously, the building industry has its
challenges, and I believe the biggest and most common
challenge between remodelers, custom builders and
spec builders alike is getting a weathertight shell. I
can’t remember how or when exactly we started using
ZIP System® sheathing and tape, but I do know that
because of its weatherproof durability and time-saving
application, I never looked back once we did.

Here’s a good example of why: Back when we used
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[V JYLH[LH [^VZ[VY *VSVUPHSP[»KILHTHK YHJL [V demo the roof system and frame wall and then install a weathertight shell. To add to the challenge, 85 percent VM[OL[PTL[OLÄYZ[SL]LSVM[OLZLOVTLZZ[PSSJVU[HPULK all the client’s belongings and even the clients themselves. We would watch the weather like a hawk, ^HP[PUN\U[PS^LOHKHÄ]L[VLPNO[KH^PUKV^VMJSLHY
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this never stopped Mother Nature from splashing a rain
shower on us at 7 p.m. on a Friday. If we didn’t wait
for a clear weather window, we risked water damage
to the client’s goods. If we waited for the window, we
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What if we could complete the process faster? What
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than that surprise rain shower, eliminate the potential
damages to the client’s property and, more important
for us, limit the potential damages to our reputation?

ZIP System sheathing and tape gave us the ability to

hack the system that was forever our norm.

For the general contractor whose crew completes

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System® roof sheathing creates a weathertight roof in

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pulling a $180 tarp over the roof for the evening and

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window set. This is a huge time-saver. Second, you’re

not rushing. You’re setting windows while another

crew member tapes and rolls the roof. Then, the next

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In the end, the client and their neighbors are amazed

by how quickly it came together, and you don’t have

to worry about callbacks. Rather than chasing leaks

through a tarp on a Friday night, trying to reassure the

client it’s normal, and then using excess manpower to

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issues. That’s the goal. It’s a no-brainer.

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homes to building custom homes. However, the

initial philosophy is the same. Water is still the devil

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typically have a weekly client meeting during the rough

frame stage, and if it rains and we don’t have weather

protection, we’re walking the client around puddles

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product of their home. We still need a weathertight shell

as soon as possible.

Now, let’s break down a schedule example of the

overlap and the install of ZIP System sheathing and

tape on a new build.

ₔ1\UL!The frame crew is the only crew on-site and

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sheathing.

ₔ1\UL!The crew sheaths the roof with 5/8"

sheathing butting the joints with no H-clips

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need to either install H-clips between sheets or

use tongue and groove.) Now, the crew is pulling

around ropes from their harnesses to tape and

roll the seams of the sheathing and valleys, which

instantly gives the build a weathertight roof.

ₔ1\UL¶!The framing crew leaves to

complete roof trim and window set, and at the

same moment, your rough mechanicals have

started on the interior.

ₔ1\UL¶!The roofing crew has arrived to apply

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up from the fascia, and shingles start being applied.

The framing crew is trimming windows, corner boards

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on day three, when normally they can’t start until June

16 , giving them a four-day advantage. In my eyes, this

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snow or rain is in play.

To be clear, I’m not trying to cut days for the sake of

speed alone. I feel the only time you can gain on your

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in the excavations and rough framing/mechanical stage.

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didn’t cut corners. Instead, it’s a mechanical approach

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way, which gives you the ability to overlap trades in

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System sheathing and tape gives us the ability to pull it

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would pay any amount of money for one or two extra

days in the millwork or mechanical stage. With this

method, you can add four more days into the bank for

later in the process.

I hope this tip and explanation helps, and I wish you

guys the best in the battle of framing homes and

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© 2019 Huber Engineered Woods LLC. ZIP System and the accompanying ZIP System logo and design are trademarks of Huber Engineered Woods LLC. Huber Engineered Woods products are covered by various patents. See ZIPSystem.com/Patents for details. HUB 19826-1 08/18.