In a high-performing wall system, all of the parts, pieces, and design elements work together to manage moisture and air. While we often think about the housewrap and self-adhered flashing, there are a number of wall envelope accessories that can make the job even more complete and help ensure proper performance of the building envelope.

The Importance of Wall Envelope Accessories

While it’s often the bigger products like the WRB that are top of mind when designing the wall system, the small details are just as important. In fact, many accessories can make the job easier overall.

Wall envelope accessories should be part of the design process and pre-construction discussions alongside all other parts of the system. Leaving them out of these upfront conversations can mean last-minute decisions or forgetting them entirely—both of which could impact how the wall system functions.

Options for Wall Envelope Accessories

Many accessories are designed to address (and often simplify) the riskiest or most challenging areas of the wall assembly.
Here are a few that can make your work easier:

  • HydroCorner: Windowsills are one of the most vulnerable areas of the envelope, in part because their shape and intersections of materials make flashing a challenge. Pre-formed HydroCorner sill treatments easily fit into window corners to add an additional layer of protection against moisture, helping to prevent water intrusion.
  • HydroTape DS: This acrylic-based double-sided sealing tape is alternative to traditional seam tapes for mechanically fastened housewrap. Typical seam tapes that adhere to the surface of the WRB can create fishmouths that collect water and are also vapor-closed, which can trap moisture inside the wall system. HydroTape DS ¾” double-sided tape eliminates these failure points by adhering to the undersides of each layer of the WRB where they overlap. The tape’s acrylic adhesive is vapor permeable, ensuring any trapped moisture dries to the exterior.
  • Batten UV Furring Strips: Ideal for open-joint cladding systems, which are more prone to UV exposure and bulk water penetration than traditionally installed siding, Batten UV furring strips have a notched design that provides multi-directional drainage, ensuring the wall cavity stays dry. And because they’re made with polypropylene, the strips are durable and flexible, even in cold temperatures, and aren’t susceptible to rot like wood furring strips. The furring strips are UV stable for open joint applications, 365 days before cladding installation.

Where to Look for Wall Envelope Accessories

Like many areas of the wall system, it’s important to ensure compatibility between your accessories and anything they’re coming into contact with. This will help ensure the materials don’t interact with each other in a way that could degrade their performance and durability. Using accessories from the same manufacturer as your housewrap and flashing may also be required to maintain warranty coverage.

Look to your manufacturer for recommendations to ensure compatibility between materials and for recommendations on system warranty options and guidelines.

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