Builders in coastal environments like Cape Cod know one thing: water is your enemy, and the combination of wind and water can wreak havoc on a home.  So on a day like today, when we are experiencing our second “superstorm” or nor’easter in less than 10 days, we felt that a little discussion on weatherizing might be appropriate.  A weathertight home is a combination of a number of factors, and the proper installation of everything from the framing and siding, to the house-wrap, flashings, and of course the roof, windows and doors.  Properly installed house wrap is a great place to start, with seams that overlap, and do not allow wind-driven water to be pushed into the home.  The building code now provides guidelines for minimum standards for weather barrier installations to guide builders through the process.   Windows and doors can always be a problem, and for the last several years, we have advocated the use of flexible flashings like Vycor, or Typar Tape, to create a virtually impenetrable seal around the windows.  All windows should also have a cap or head flashing made of plastic, aluminum or lead.   Doors are much the same, but also need to be caulked and flashed at the threshold to prevent water from blowing in underneath.  We use a rubber or lead pan to catch any water and divert it back outside the home. 

Here is a great article from Coastalcontractor.net that gives good overview of what you should be seeing on your next New Home, Remodeling or Renovation project on Cape Cod. 

Weather Barriers for your Coastal Home