Housewrap is a water-resistant barrier installed behind your siding, and installing it incorrectly lets moisture reach the framing and rot the wood underneath the wall. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a woman-owned, family-run company that has completed 7,000+ installations since 2011 across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, and it installs vinyl siding with the weather barrier detailed correctly behind it to keep the wall system dry. Getting that barrier right during installation is what separates a dry wall assembly from hidden rot.
What Homeowners Should Know About Housewrap
- Barrier basics: Housewrap is the water-resistive layer installed under your siding, over the sheathing. Get a free estimate for a full wall assessment.
- Water out, vapor out: James Hardie says HardieWrap holds bulk water out while letting inside vapor escape. Its water holdout tests at 325 cm in the manufacturer’s published specs.
- Sunlight has limits: HardieWrap lists UV stability up to 180 days before siding must cover it. Vinyl siding installation should never leave that wrap exposed longer.
- Seams and flashing: Unsealed seams and missing flashing let water reach the wood sheathing. Rotting wood under siding usually starts right at those gaps.
- If damage appears: Replacing failed siding averages about $18,000 in New England, returning roughly 97% at resale. Whether rotting siding is covered by insurance depends on the cause.
- Keep the evidence: Ask any crew to photograph the wrap before siding goes up. When hiring a siding installation company near me, request those photos for your records.
Making the Smart Call
Top Recommendation: Choose a premium, non-perforated wrap for your vinyl siding installation or James Hardie installation. Schedule your free wall assessment with Coastal Windows & Exteriors today.
Best for wet climates: Block-It offers 20% greater water holdout than Tyvek, plus patented water channeling for New England walls.
Smart safeguard: Insist on documented seam sealing and flashing before your siding is installed.
Benefit: Insulated siding can improve a home’s air tightness by an average of 25%, per ENERGY STAR.
Ready to protect the wall system under your siding? Start with a professional inspection and honest assessment. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a woman-owned, family-run company established in 2011. We rank as the #1 Woman-Owned Replacement Company in New England. Our team has completed 7,000+ installations. Schedule your free estimate today.
Request a free siding estimate from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.
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Still have questions about what is housewrap, and what happens to my walls if it was installed incorrectly under my siding? See the areas we serve and talk to your local siding contractor.
Last Updated: September 2026
Sources:
- HardieWrap weather barrier holds water out while letting vapor escape, with 325 cm water holdout and UV stability up to 180 days. James Hardie HardieWrap Weather Barrier Product Specifications, the manufacturer’s published composition and performance specs. (2012)
- BLOCK-IT House Wrap provides 20% greater water holdout than Tyvek HomeWrap and uses patented water channeling technology. Kimberly-Clark BLOCK-IT House Wrap Brochure, the manufacturer’s brochure detailing drainage and holdout performance. (2017)
- The average cost of vinyl siding replacement in New England is about $18,000. Remodeling Magazine (JLC Online) 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, New England, regional remodeling cost and resale data. (2025)
- Vinyl siding returns roughly 97% of its cost at resale. Remodeling Magazine (JLC Online) 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, national and regional remodeling ROI data. (2025)
- Installing insulated siding can improve a home’s air tightness by an average of 25%. ENERGY STAR Why Seal and Insulate, federal guidance on home sealing and insulation benefits. (Accessed September 2026)
