Dive Brief:

• DuPont has begun offering a product called Tyvek Thermawrap that bonds its Tyvek material to an insulation blanket with an R-5 rating.
• The company is trying to compete in the market for continuous exterior insulation, which so far has been pretty much limited to foam panels.
• DuPont says Thermawrap has the same ability as stand-alone Tyvek to pass water vapor to allow drying when walls inevitably get wet.

Dive Insight:

The new product line is driven in part by new energy-conservation levels in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. DuPont estimates that installing its product will cost 15% to 20% more than using 1-inch foam panel insulation, but it is hoping that the R-5 benefit, Class A fire rating and other factors will persuade builders that it's worth the additional money.