EPDs for Weather Barriers in the US: Data‑Driven Guide
Planning a product‑specific EPD for a weather barrier, air barrier, WRB, or housewrap in 2026? Here is the definitive market snapshot for the United States with who is publishing, which PCRs are winning, and when renewals hit so you can time your launch and avoid nasty surprises.
Why weather‑barrier EPDs matter right now
Weather barriers are specification gatekeepers. On public and private projects that require product‑specific declarations, a WRB without an EPD often faces a scoring penalty, which nudges specifiers toward options that are easier to document. That shifts the sales math from price alone to proof of performance.
The good news is simple. Competitors have started publishing, but the field is still concentrated, which leaves room for fast followers to stand out.
The 2026 snapshot in one graphic‑novel panel
Over the last five years, 20 currently valid EPDs appear in the United States for weather barriers and close cousins like air barriers and housewraps. These came from 4 manufacturers, through 4 program operators, across 4 distinct PCRs. The most recent we saw is VaproShield’s SlopeShield Plus SA issued on Jul 4, 2025 via EPD Hub under “Construction products, 2019:14,” expiring Jul 3, 2030.
EPDs issued per year
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
The burst in 2021 and 2022 shows early movers locking in first‑wave coverage, followed by a quiet 2023, then a gentle return in 2024 and 2025. If you publish in 2026, your EPD will land in a less crowded release window, which can help your product get noticed by spec writers.
Who is publishing: manufacturers leaderboard
Four manufacturers account for all current weather‑barrier EPDs in the United States snapshot. DuPont leads with 14, followed by VaproShield with 3, Sto Corp with 2, and GCP Applied Technologies with 1.
- DuPont’s portfolio concentration suggests a deliberate category strategy. A broader set of SKUs with aligned PCR choices can simplify renewals later.
- VaproShield’s recent SlopeShield Plus SA keeps their set fresh. A fresh EPD is not inherently better, yet it can avoid close‑to‑expiry nerves during big pursuits.
- Sto and GCP provide targeted coverage, which still unlocks specification pathways for core systems.
If your catalog looks similar but lacks a declaration, you are still early enough to leapfrog with a stronger slate.
Program operators: where teams publish and why it matters
Program operators in this category are diverse in name but concentrated by usage per manufacturer:
- IBU was used for 14 EPDs, all attributed to a single manufacturer. That is a focused bet that can streamline templates and reviews.
- EPD Hub appears on 3 EPDs for one manufacturer, a sign of rising A2 adoption and quick cycle times.
- Epsten Group shows 2 EPDs for one manufacturer, and NSF International shows 1 for one manufacturer.
Diversity across operators is healthy. Concentration within a portfolio is normal since internal teams prefer repeatable templates and verifier expectations.
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PCRs used and what to pick next
Picking the right PCR is the Monopoly rulebook moment. Get it wrong, and comparability suffers. Here is what is actually in use.
| PCR | EPDs using it | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Part B: Requirements on the EPD for False ceiling and underlay sheeting | 14 | Dec 13, 2027 |
| Water‑Resistive and Air Barriers | 3 | Oct 9, 2029 |
| Construction products, 2019:14 | 2 | Jul 3, 2030 |
| EPD International PCR for Construction Products 2019:14 (EN 15804:A2:2019/AC:2021) v1.3.4 | 1 | Jul 3, 2030 |
What this signals for 2026 planning
- If you need fast comparability with most published products, the underlay‑sheeting PCR is the current majority, but watch its renewal horizon below.
- If your product is explicitly an air barrier or WRB, the specialized “Water‑Resistive and Air Barriers” PCR is an intuitive fit and offers long‑dated expiries in this set.
- Generic construction‑product PCRs can be a smart fallback when nothing more specific truly fits, especially while you get a first EPD into the market.
Renewal cliffs you should schedule around
EPDs are typically valid for five years, and the renewal calendar shapes sales risk. Here is the forward view for expiries among currently valid declarations.
- 2026: 8 total, all under the underlay‑sheeting PCR, earliest Nov 29, latest Nov 30.
- 2027: 7 total, 6 under underlay‑sheeting, plus 1 Water‑Resistive and Air Barriers on Sep 26.
- 2028: 0 total.
- 2029: 2 total, both Water‑Resistive and Air Barriers on Oct 9.
- 2030: 3 total, two from Construction products 2019:14 and one from the EN 15804 A2 2019:14 v1.3.4 variant, all on Jul 3.
If a competitor’s EPD is inside a six‑month window, plan for project teams to ask for an updated document. A proactive renewal keeps bids clean and avoids last‑minute scrambles.
The role of EPD consultants and service providers
Twelve of the twenty valid EPDs used an external EPD consultant or service provider. That aligns with what we see across building products, where data wrangling and verifier coordination consume most of the timeline, not the LCA math itself. If your team has limited bandwidth, partnering with an experienced provider like Parq can shave months off calendars while maintaining quality.
The commercial angle is straightforward. A single mid‑sized project win can repay the effort many times over, and sales teams stop avoiding carbon‑constrained opportunities simply because documentation is missing.
The latest EPD to watch
VaproShield’s SlopeShield Plus SA went live on Jul 4, 2025 through EPD Hub under “Construction products, 2019:14,” and is valid to Jul 3, 2030. That timing means specifiers will see it throughout 2026 and beyond when evaluating permeable roof and wall underlayments. If your adjacent SKUs are close in function, align your PCR choice so comparisons are apples to apples.
Notably absent or quiet names in WRBs
As of Jan 23, 2026, we did not find product‑specific WRB or air‑barrier EPDs in the public registry for Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing or Prosoco. They may have other transparency documents or EPDs in adjacent categories, and they could be preparing filings that are not public yet. If you compete with them, an early EPD can be a wedge in carbon‑accounted bids.
How to decide your next step in 30 minutes
- Inventory one hero product per system, then shortlist the PCR used by your closest competitor. If ties remain, prefer the PCR with the furthest expiry to reduce churn at renewal.
- Confirm your reference year data readiness. Utilities, volumes, wastes, and transport are the usual blockers. Start gathering now while you lock the PCR.
- Pick a program operator that aligns with your target customers and your internal comfort with templates. Consistency speeds future updates.
If deadlines are tight, bring in an EPD service provider to keep engineers focused on product and production. A white‑glove process is often the real unlock, not the software.
What’s next and how we can help
This article relies on the global public registry of EPDs that most architects and specifiers use. Because of posting and indexing lags, some EPDs from the last half of 2025 might not be reflected yet. Want the full spreadsheet behind these numbers, plus a quick take on the best‑fit PCR for your product family based on competitors in the United States? Connect with me on LinkedIn and send a note. I am happy to share the latest pull, answer questions, or hop on a quick call. It is definately easier than doom‑scrolling PDFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which program operators are most used for weather barrier EPDs in the US right now?
IBU accounts for the largest block in this snapshot, all from one manufacturer. EPD Hub, Epsten Group, and NSF International also appear, each tied to a single manufacturer.
What PCR should a new WRB EPD use in 2026?
If your product is clearly an air or water‑resistive barrier, the dedicated Water‑Resistive and Air Barriers PCR is a strong fit with long‑dated expiries. The underlay‑sheeting PCR is widely used, and generic construction‑product PCRs remain a valid fallback when nothing else fits.
When will a wave of weather‑barrier EPDs expire next?
A cluster hits in late Nov 2026, another in late 2027, a pause in 2028, then two on Oct 9, 2029, followed by three on Jul 3, 2030.
How common is it to hire an external EPD consultant?
In this set, 12 of 20 valid EPDs used an external service provider. Manufacturers lean on consultants to compress timelines and manage verification.
Does a newer EPD automatically score better in specs?
No. Within its validity window, an EPD is typically treated equally. The risk increases only as you approach renewal, which can trigger document requests mid‑bid.
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
