Seal the Deal

One product that really caught my eye at the show was from Sto, a well-established maker of modern stucco coatings. Called StoGuard, it’s a spray-on building wrap—waterproof, vapor-permeable and, if applied correctly, free from air leaks.

Now, building wrap ain’t exactly the sexiest thing going—and not something a homeowner will be dealing with on a regular basis--but it’s absolutely crucial in modern construction. Unlike fabric wraps like Tyvek, StoGuard has no seams to admit water and air leaks, nor holes caused by fasteners such as staples. It provides waterproofing, protecting sheathing and everything inside the building from moisture intrusion. It provides an air barrier, which reduces the risk of leaks and the moisture condensation they cause in or on walls—condensation can rot wall assemblies and will reduce the thermal efficiency of the wall. It’s also breathable, allowing for water vapor to diffuse through the wall assembly, which is particularly important in climates like New England’s, where seasonal temperature and humidity changes make water vapor want to either pass into or out of the building envelope.

StoGuard is for use under brick, wood, vinyl, cement siding (like HardiPlank—another winner of a product), and traditional or modern (EIFS) stucco. For (nearly) everything you ever wanted to know about it, check this out.