Hi all, I'm currently building a home in Madison, WI. The wall will be constructed inside to out as: drywall 4 mil plastic vapor barrier 2x6 stud w/ R-25 NU-WOLL Wallseal Cellulose 1" Zip System then either smooth JP Hardi or LP Siding My questions / concerns. Should I be worried applying siding directly to the zip system? Will this destroy the zip or will it still be able to breath? The builder didn't include any furring strips for water drainage. I prefer the smooth Hardi as it comes pre-painted. But being cement board i'm worried about it retaining moisture. LP smooth doesn't come painted and I simply can't paint it with my time. I'd have to go to their cedar look for pre-painted, which I don't like. However, if this will last longer with my wall system I just might have to suck it up and go non smooth look. (house is more modern) Thoughts on what you'd do? Thanks, Andrew

As with any wall system, you need to have some form of drying space behind the siding.

If you intend to flush-nail it ANYHOW?

Invest in the LiquidFlash product.

Measure where your nailing "strip" is going to be at and liquid flash that area for each course of the siding, then a tiny dab atop the screws before proceeding on to the next course.

We typically use this rainscreen product to provide a drainage path and a drying space when installing siding over ICF:

https://www.benjaminobdyke.com/products/slicker-classic-rainscreen-6mm/