The 1.5-inch panel is a composite material consisting of three primary layers:
: A layer of high-quality OSB that provides shear strength.
, significantly lower than standard OSB and housewrap combinations ( 3. Advantages in Construction 1.5.zip
The primary benefit of the 1.5-inch ZIP-R system is the elimination of . In traditional framing, wood studs act as thermal bridges, conducting heat out of the building. The 1.5-inch ZIP-R provides continuous insulation that can cut wall heat loss by 20–30% compared to cavity-only insulation. Other advantages include:
: When properly taped, ZIP walls can achieve air change rates of In traditional framing, wood studs act as thermal
The 1.5-inch variant is often the minimum thickness required in the ZIP-R product line to satisfy energy codes in colder climates. However, designers must account for specific regional requirements: Roxul Comfortboard - disadvantages? - GreenBuildingAdvisor
: In Climate Zone 5, the R-6.6 provided by the 1.5-inch panel is sufficient to keep the sheathing boundary above the dew point, preventing internal condensation when using fiber insulation in the stud cavity. 4. Application and Code Compliance In traditional framing
: It combines multiple steps (sheathing, WRB, and exterior insulation) into a single installation, which can be faster and cheaper than applying separate layers.