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If you are planning to build a new home or renovate your current residence, you may want to consider materials that will help the structure withstand weather conditions while protecting the interior from moisture, water vapor, and air leaks that could cause damage in the long run.
Before installing siding, it is necessary to build a strong, durable material, and building paper comes in handy in such a situation.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about grade B building paper to ensure you’re choosing the right product for your building.
What is Grade B building paper?
Building paper, also commonly known as weather-resistant barrier, WRB, or house wrap, is a strong, durable, fibrous paper sheet made from kraft paper. It is made from wood pulp and is saturated or coated using waterproofing asphalt, which is the same product used to bind aggregates together in asphalt pavement.
Asphalt is a stable black or brown petroleum-based substance ranging in consistency from a highly viscous, semisolid form to a glass-like solid petroleum.
Building paper is classified into four categories: Grade A, Grade B, Grade C, Grade D and Grade F building paper.
Grade A building paper is considered a highly water/vapor resistant, self-adhesive and self-sealing material, while grade C building paper is considered a non-commercial, water-resistant material. Grade D building paper is water and vapor-permeable, while grade F building paper is a non-combustible paper material that has been discontinued.
Grade B building paper, on the other hand, is a weather-resistant barrier classified as a moderately water-vapor resistant material. It has a water vapor permeability rating of 6 maximum, measured in grams PSM (per square meter) over a 24-hour period, and its water resistance is measured in hour ratings – no less than 16 hours.
Grades Building paper is rated based on how long it ‘soaks up’ or how long the moisture-sensitive indicator changes color when a sample resembling a small boat is floated on water. Common grades of these building papers are 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes. The higher the grade or rating, the more moisture-resistant and heavier the building paper.
A typical 20-minute building paper weighs about 3.3 pounds per square, a 30-minute building paper weighs 3.75 pounds per square, and a 60-minute building paper weighs about 6 pounds per square.
Uses of Grade B Building Paper
Grade B building paper is commonly used in building construction, acting as a barrier layer or moisture and vapor barrier to protect building materials by preventing water, air and moisture from entering the walls from outside.
It acts as a covering or drainage layer that allows air or water vapor to escape from the interior, while preventing the penetration of outside water and moisture and keeping the building materials dry, preventing the growth of mold, mildew, rot and insects inside the walls caused by moisture buildup.
It is commonly used in frame construction, between exterior wall cladding and stucco, masonry, brick, vinyl, aluminum, or wood siding, serving as a separation to prevent stresses from building up between the two surfaces.
Benefits of Grade B Building Paper
Here are some of the various benefits of using Grade B building paper. Weather protection Moisture control Insulation Affordability
Grade B building paper provides temporary weather protection to buildings, as it can be used to wrap the structure and cover all types of gaps and cracks between the exterior cladding and the wall surface.
Applying this type of building paper helps reduce the expansion and contraction of wood by preventing water penetration through plaster or masonry surfaces. Since bad weather conditions can easily damage a building’s structure, using layers of building paper helps reduce the risk of damage such as cracks.
How much does Grade B building paper cost?
In general, grade B building paper costs about $0.41 to $0.97 per square foot and $120 to $300 per roll. The price includes materials only. If materials, labor, and installation costs are included, building paper can cost from $250 to $990, enough to cover a 2,500 square foot home.
The exact price of building paper may vary depending on the brand, size and location of the installation area.
How To Install Grade B Building Paper
Before installation, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials, including a hammer stapler, a hammer, a sharp knife and a roll of building paper.
Make sure you have already cut the building paper with the proper measurements according to the size of the installation surface, and you can also cut them into workable sizes. Align the building paper and staple it – be sure to start working from the bottom and work your way up. Make sure the building paper is flat on the sheathing as well.
The next thing to do is to overlap the pieces – overlap the bottom layer by at least six inches horizontally and vertically on the sill plate to seal the seams and increase protection. It is also a good idea to pull the building paper tight to prevent folds, creases and wrinkles. Avoid tearing the paper when tucking and stapling it.
Once the building is completely covered, use seam tape to seal all holes and laps. You can also check for tears and wear, and if there are any, seal them with seam tape and smooth them out to ensure it sticks properly.
Uses of building paper for home and building construction
Grade B building papers are a great barrier layer option for residential and commercial applications because it helps provide weather protection by preventing water vapor, moisture and air leaks from penetrating the building walls. They also keep building materials dry, which prevents the growth of harmful elements such as rot, mold, mildew and insects.
Learning about the uses, benefits and proper installation of Grade B building paper will help you save money, create a more comfortable environment and reduce energy use.