wrenchmonster said:
Hogwildz, I'm really not trying to pick fights with you on the forum, so please don't take this the wrong way, but you are wrong sir. The fact of the matter is that Tyvek has its fair share of problems. It really hasn't been out in the field long enough for proper evaluation. It's not the miracle barrier everyone thinks it is. Tar paper can fall apart, sure, but there are lots of things involved. How long has it been there? What kind of siding protected it? Etc. Besides, distrubing the siding can be the cause of the tar paper falling away, if you weren't tearing off the siding, it would remain intact underneath. I've seen tar paper 30+ years old in just fine condition. To make the blanket statement that it all falls apart is not accurate. In fact, for cedar, I wouldn't use anything but felt.
-Kevin
No offense taken. I roofed and sided from my late teens to my mid 30's. I speak from what I have seen. What are your qualifications? You have valid points. I never stated tyvek was a cure all. But this I assure you. Tyvek does not burn like a ball of fire if it by chance comes in contact with flame. Light a pc of tar paper and tell me what you observe? Ever see it? I have several times. Try tearing tyvek with your hands, then felt. You tell me which one tears, and which one won't? How long has Tyvek been around 10- 20 yrs? Honestly I am not sure when it came out, or when it became popular.
I am not even advocating one over another. I know on my house I'd use tyvek or another newer style wrap. Felt is just old school, at least for siding.
Tar paper is also not as pliable as tyvec and other house wraps. It creases and is weak at that crease when you turn a 90 degree angle with it.
Now no argument from me that 30lb felt is better than 15lb felt. Yes it will last long if undisturbed (sometimes). But, how many older houses have you seen that don't have roofing or siding rework done on them? Sooner or later it will be disturbed. On cedar roofing I used 30lb felt. Agreed with you there. I have also used no felt. I have also used copper, when specified and someone wants to pay for that. Please tell me you don't advocate painting cedar? No need to explain that one.
To each their own, my reasoning is this, if tar paper (felt) was so great, why would the newer house wraps even be needed? Because things improve with time & modern advances. Why wouldn't tar paper still be as popular as in the older days?
There is no right or wrong, just preferences & budgets.
I have worked on homes from anywhere from 1700's to 2000's.Although not every house that has felt on the walls has deteriorated felt. The older homes from the felt era on, when you disturb the felt, which in time you will have to, its crumbles. That tar only lasts so long , and it does dry out in time. I honestly don't care for felt because I have had to clean up that deteriorated mess, having it blow all over me, the yard and neighborhood of houses I have worked on. On a windy day, forget it.
for every home you show me that has undisturbed felt. I'll show you 10 that have a felt mess all over the yard after pulling siding/roofing off.
The only thing worse is the old rosin paper they used before felt. Which I still used putting down hand formed standing seam roofs.
Just my 2 cents.