Cost of Sheathing with Zip System - GreenBuildingAdvisor (2024)

Hi All,

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure on the cost of installing Zip sheathing (7/16)? Specifically the total cost including the tape and associated flashing. Assume standard 2×6 framing, one story.

I’m trying to figure out the cost / savings over OSB plus Tyvek.

Thanks!

Answer

Replies

1. 

   See Also

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   Tim_O|Oct 24, 2023 11:27am|#1

   As an estimate - 12 feet of tape per sheet (half the perimeter as each piece of tape overlaps). Sheets are ~23/ea at my home depot. Tape is $32/90feet. So ~4.25 sheet. Total cost becomes 23+4.25/sheet. Or $0.85/sqft. 7/16 OSB is $11.50 by me. Tyvek is 0.17/sqft by me. So 0.53/sqft. Taping vs hanging tyvek, might balance out on labor costs? Costs to install the boards otherwise would be the same between.

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   FiveQuarterCarpentry|Oct 25, 2023 10:05pm|#5

   Thank you!

2. Expert Member

   Michael Maines|Oct 24, 2023 12:09pm|#2

   Don't forget that the Zip system also provides air-sealing that you'll have to do another way if you go with conventional OSB and WRB. If you're using a separate membrane for that it's another $0.50 to $1.50/sf. Or you could skip the air-sealing, pay 5-25% more for heating and cooling every year and your house won't last as long as one built to modern standards.

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   FiveQuarterCarpentry|Oct 25, 2023 10:06pm|#6

   Thank you! good point on the inherent air-sealing with Zip.

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   AC200|Oct 24, 2023 01:39pm|#3

   I used Zip on mine. Rough guess is that materials were about 30-40% more. I also learned that taping joints properly is a real pain and most framers and contractors don't do it well and especially hate rolling the tape. I know this because I have been coming back after and fixing the taping issues.

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   FiveQuarterCarpentry|Oct 25, 2023 10:06pm|#7

   Thank you

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   andy_|Oct 24, 2023 03:00pm|#4

   The dollar costs are going to depend on your market. The labor cost is also going to depend on whether you're doing it yourself or depending on a crew, then depending on whether they've done it before and what your quality expectations are.
   Chatting with a carpenter on another job about Zip he said his crew liked working with it as they felt they were doing more "high end" work that they should be proud of. He might have a different opinion than a production framer being paid by the square foot who just wants to get it done as fast as possible.
   When I ran the numbers a few years ago, it was a little more with Zip than with OSB + Tyvek - labor difference, but in the end Zip was just a much better end result that it easily justified it for me.
   Another thing to keep in mind is that it's not exactly apples to apples either even if you ignore the air sealing benefit. The Zip is just a better quality OSB than what the local yards stocked.

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   FiveQuarterCarpentry|Oct 25, 2023 10:08pm|#8

   Thank you. I'll be self performing, I'm very detail oriented so it may take longer but as you say the overall quality is better. Also installing Tyvek is probably one of my least favorite parts of building...

   See Also

   Residential construction cost per square foot by zip code – Think Real State

2. 

   Patrick_OSullivan|Oct 25, 2023 10:47pm|#9

   > Another thing to keep in mind is that it's not exactly apples to apples either even if you ignore the air sealing benefit. The Zip is just a better quality OSB than what the local yards stocked.

   I strongly endorse this. I wouldn't sheath with commodity OSB. My backyard tests have shown it to be wildly less durable than Zip or Advantech. To me the valid comparison is Zip vs. CDX + taping + WRB.

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   andy_|Oct 29, 2023 12:27am|#12

   Not sure that I'd automatically put a lot of value on CDX over OSB. I've seen some pretty poor quality CDX on a few projects over the past few years. Don't know what brand or other specifics, but I've seen more delaminated CDX or plywood that would develop mold within days of being dropped on the site.
   Plywood used to always be better than OSB, but I can't say that with certainty anymore.

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   AndyCD|Oct 29, 2023 11:00am|#14

   This is also my observation. If there is a "commodity" OSB that is lower quality than the big names, there is also surely "commodity" CDX. The 1/2" CDX I've seen around here doesn't inspire confidence. Is it possible that the chemistry of OSB binders has progressed even in the past few years that our assumptions need to be challenged? Could the advances in durability of OSB flooring products Advantech and Legacy have rubbed off on their sheathing little brothers? We carpenters have a reputation for hanging on to dated beliefs.

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   Patrick_OSullivan|Oct 29, 2023 11:13am|#15

   > Is it possible that the chemistry of OSB binders has progressed even in the past few years that our assumptions need to be challenged? Could the advances in durability of OSB flooring products Advantech and Legacy have rubbed off on their sheathing little brothers?

   My [recent] experience is no. My backyard tests were with material produced in the last couple years and the commodity OSB I've seen is way less durable than commodity CDX, though I completely agree that it's possible to get CDX that isn't great, either.

   Zip and Advantech have held up admirably, however.

5. Expert Member

   MALCOLM TAYLOR|Oct 25, 2023 11:03pm|#10

   FQC,

   I think Patrick makes a good point:
   "To me the valid comparison is Zip vs. CDX + taping + WRB."

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   Tim_O|Oct 26, 2023 12:36pm|#11

   By me, CDX is nearly the same price as Zip. So the cost of Zip becomes less as a WRB isn't needed.

   With that said, we are planning for a double wall and for that reason, I'm leaning towards spending the extra on plywood for the permeability improvement over Zip.

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   graineryarchco|Oct 29, 2023 08:28am|#13

   Tim,
   What WRB are you planning if you go with CDX? A fully adhered WRB would take care of the air sealing as well. I am weighing Zip vs CDX as well for a double stud wall on zone 6A build.