Among the many performance characteristics we expect of today’s building wraps, draining bulk water is increasingly gaining importance. When rainwater infiltrates the space between cladding and sheathing, it can create major problems if it isn’t managed quickly.
In many areas around the country, building codes are driving the need for better moisture management solutions. The International Residential Code (IRC) requires the use of water-resistive barriers, but some states have added even more prescriptive measures to their codes that now include the use of drainage planes, and others are expected to follow.