Prime Wrap

The forces of nature affect everything. You shouldn’t build a new house without giving it protection against air and moisture infiltration.

General Benefits

Housewrap that is properly installed:

  • Improves Energy Efficiency: Blocks air transfer through the framed wall to reduce HVAC loads and thereby lowering energy costs.
  • Improve Indoor Air Quality: Allows airborne moisture vapor to escape without condensing in the wall cavities- preventing mold and mildew.
  • Prevents Moisture Damage: Sheds water that could otherwise get behind the exterior finish, settle in the wall framing, and cause latent problems.

Prime Wrap Unique Benefits

  • Ideal Moisture Vapor Transmission (MVT): Prime Wrap is between 5-15 perms (ASTM E-96-A)- the ideal for all types of climates and seasons.
  • Jobsite Durability: Its woven design makes Prime Wrap amongst the highest rated in tensile and tear strength.
  • High UV Resistance: Prime Wrap is very UV resistant and can remain exposed up to 12 months- industry average is 4-6 months.
  • Easy Application: The translucent design assists in proper installation- meaning a housewrap performing at its best.
  • No-Charge Private Labeling: Custom logos are available on orders as small as one pallet. This is offered at no additional cost with no surcharges. In comparison, competitors have template charges and large order requirements.

Product Description
A woven and coated polyethylene fabric with micro-perforations engineered as a Water-Resistive Barrier, Air Barrier, Moisture Protection Barrier, and Weather-Resistant Barrier for use in residential and commercial sidewall construction.

Dimensions
Roll Sizes/Widths Available: 3, 4.5, 9 & 10 ft.
Roll Sizes/Lengths Available: 75, 100, 110, 150 & 195 ft.

Building Code Report
ICC-ES Report No. ESR-2955
2024 International Building Code (IBC)
2024 International Residential Code (IRC)
2022 California Building Code (CBC)
2022 California Residential Code (CRC)

PropertyTest ModeTypical Values
Tensile StrengthASTM D-882MD 50 (lbs/in) & CD 46
Water ResistanceASTM D-779-94Pass
Water Vapor TransmissionASTM E-96-A63.1 (grams/sq. meter)
Water Vapor PermeanceASTM E-96-A9.1 (perm)
Canadian Water PondingCCMC 07193Pass
PliabilitySBCCIPass
Flame Spread*ASTM E-84-97Class A
Smoke Developed*ASTM E-84-97Class A

Warranty

Kotap warrants that Prime Wrap will be free of defects in material and workmanship. This warranty does not cover any defect or damage due to abuse, mishandling, or improper installation and Kotap will not be liable for any replacement material and labor costs. If materials are found defective, Prime Wrap will be replaced at no charge by Kotap.

The translucent design of Prime Wrap eliminates the guesswork for the installer while cutting, fitting, and fastening.


General:

Prime Wrap® Housewrap is installed on the exterior walls over exterior sheathing – after wall framing is complete and before windows or doors are installed. The printed side is applied facing to the outside.

Step 1

Install Prime Wrap® using “shingle-lap” fashion, with higher courses lapped over lower courses by at least 2 inches. Any vertical seams created by ending one roll and beginning another should have an overlap of at least 6 inches.Start with lowest course, 2-3 feet from a corner with the bottom edge 3-4 inches over the sill plate. Wrap around corner and fasten to studs every 12~18 inches using plastic-capped staples or plastic-capped nails.

Step 2

Continue to unroll the Prime Wrap tightly around the structure – covering all door and window openings. While nailing or stapling make sure the fabric is taut against the exterior wall and not sagging. Seal all seams, tears and cuts with Prime Wrap Sheathing Tape.

Window Detail:

Step 3

Make an inverted Y cut in the housewrap at rough opening. Then cut straight across the top and make diagonal cuts from the top corners to create header flap.

Step 4

Fold the flaps in through the opening at the two sides and the sill and fasten them inside with staples set about every 6 inches.

Step 5

Temporarily tape header flap up to expose nail base material. Install the sill flashing over the housewrap.

Step 6

Apply sealant behind window flanges and install window.
a) Install jamb flashing over side window flanges.
b) Install head flashing over the top window flange and extend beyond jamb flashings.
c) Remove temporary tape from header flap and fold back down over top flange.
d) Seal header flap with approved flashing tape.

DESCRIPTION: A thin, strong, durable white polypropylene film coated with an
aggressive acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) designed for use
as a closure system and vapor seal on all interior and exterior
sheathing materials. Prime Wrap Tape exceeds most building code
requirements and can be used for new construction as well as repair
on all vapor barrier materials.

FEATURES & BENEFITS:

  • High performance sheathing tape installs and performs well over a wide
    temperature range
  • Excellent vapor barrier tape on polyethylene film
  • Performs well as a seam tape on extruded foam products such as Styrofoam
    and Foamular.
  • Applies to Prime Wrap and all other major housewraps.
  • Great for use as a sealing tape on DensGlass Gold and other sheathing brands

AVAILABLE SIZE:

  • 1 7/8” X 55 YDS & 3” X 55 YDS standard
  • Customs rolls available on request

Prime Warp Brochure – Download PDF

Prime Wrap House Wrap Advantage – Download PDF

Housewrap Specification Sheet – Download PDF

Sheathing Tape Specification Sheet – Download PDF