A guide to advantages and differences between Pro Clima exterior membranes

If you’ve spent your days thinking WRBs are just a required, code-minimum, flimsy sheets of No.15 Felt (per IBC 1404 or IRC 703.2), Grade D building paper (per ASTM D226), or spunbonded olefin housewrap; all with little difference between them, you may be shocked when you first approach the new generation of 3-layer, super-waterproof exterior membranes offered by Pro Clima. First, you should know what all of the WRBs you find on this site have to offer above the rest, then we’ll split hairs of the applications and specialties for each.

What they have in common

Pro Clima, the manufacturer of each of these WRBs, is a world leader in creating materials that are supremely airtight while simultaneously managing moisture. These membranes are in the highest class of material when it comes to strength, durability, longevity, and ease of installation. When used with Pro Clima tapes, gaskets, and caulk adhesives, they form a complete system which is guarded by a 10-year manufacturer warranty.

SOLITEX is a family of next-generation, multi-layer building wraps by Pro Clima built with a monolithic TEEE film, protective cover, and fleece backing. SOLITEX membranes are actively vapor open yet extremely water- and air-tight. For the science behind this advanced product, read The Pro Clima SOLITEX MENTO Difference blog post.

Find the exterior membrane for your next project

This chart is your cheat sheet to each membrane and its use. Click names to navigate to each page where you will find details, pricing, installation guides, spec sheets, and more. All of these materials are stocked in the US and ship in 1-3 business days. Note that “Roof” refers to pitched roof applications. We do not carry any membranes for flat roof applications at this time. Read more about our advice for flat roofs here. Please consult a 475 team member if you have any questions. We’re here to help!

Name	Application	When to use it	Fastening	Permeability	Weather Resistance
SOLITEX MENTO 1000 / 3000	Wall	The reliable standard for protecting board insulation, plywood, OSB and exterior gypsum.	stapled, taped with TESCON VANA	38 perms	1000= 3 months 3000= up to 6 months
VISCONN	Wall	Liquid-applied air barrier for both interior and exterior airbarriers on CMU / masonry and difficult to seal junctions in any project.	liquid-applied	Variable: 0.33 to 25 perms	3 months
(SOLITEX) FRONTA QUATTRO	Wall	This 3-layer dark black WRB is invisible behind open joint siding, and is long-term UV stable.	stapled, taped with TESCON INVIS	38 perms	6 months
(SOLITEX) FRONTA PENTA	Wall	A step up from the already durable QUATTRO, this 5-layer, dark black WRB is an even more rugged membrane for open-joint, long-term UV stability.	stapled, taped with TESCON INVIS	17 perms	6 months
SOLITEX MENTO PLUS	Wall + Roof	Reinforced membrane for dense packing insulation without the need for exterior sheathing.	stapled, taped with TESCON VANA	38 perms	4 months
SOLITEX UM	Wall + Roof	Standing seam metal roof / siding WRB with integrated 3-D mesh to provide drainage in rainscreens.	stapled, taped with integrated adhesive strip	38 perms	3 months
(SOLITEX) ADHERO	Wall + Roof	Commercial grade self-adhered airbarrier / WRB for gypsum boards, masonry, or plywood.	self-adhered - use PRESSFIX XL tool	7 perms	3-6 months (see product details)
INTELLO X	Wall + Roof	Exterior/commercial grade, heavy-duty, smart vapor retarder that doubles as temporary WRB - use inboard of primary insulation layer.	stapled, taped with TESCON VANA	Variable: 0.13 to 13 perms	2 months
DA	Wall + Roof	Fixed vapor retarder, exterior grade to protect crawl spaces or saunas from vapor ingress or to keep vapor out of roofs and walls in hot / humid climates.	stapled, taped with TESCON VANA	1.4 perms	3 months
SOLITEX MENTO 3000 Connect	Roof	Underlayment for pitched roofs with integrated adhesive strip. Making application easy and requires far less tape.	stapled, taped with integrated adhesive strip	38 perms	4 months
SOLITEX MENTO 5000 Connect	Roof	The most heavy-duty weather protection available for your roof underlayment or walls. Includes integrated adhesive strip.	stapled, taped with integrated adhesive strip	38 perms	6 months

SOLITEX MENTO 1000: when you want the reliable standard for wrapping board insulation, plywood, OSB and gypsum-board.

FRONTA QUATTRO or FRONTA PENTA: when you have an open joint siding and need your WRB to be invisible plus perform with extended UV exposure.

VISCONN: when you have a masonry retrofit, or want a liquid-applied air barrier.

SOLITEX MENTO PLUS: when you want to dense pack behind a membrane without any sheathing.

SOLITEX UM: when you have a standing seam metal roof / siding, and/or want to utilize the integrated 3-D mesh to provide drainage.

ADHERO: when you have a commercial job, are applying to masonry, are completing a wood-frame retrofit, or just want a self-adhered option.

INTELLO X: when you need an interior, commercial grade, heavy-duty, smart vapor retarder that doubles as temporary WRB - use inboard of primary insulation layer.

DA:when you need to retard the vapor drive year round, such as crawl spaces, or on roofs and walls in hot / humid climates.

SOLITEX MENTO 3000 Connect: when you need an underlayment for pitched roofs. With its integrated adhesive strip, it makes application easy and requires far less tape.

SOLITEX MENTO 5000 Connect: when you want the most heavy-duty weather protection available for your roof underlayment.