Hello

First let me say thank you to GBA and Martin – I have learned a lot from the articles and posts on this website. I asked a question a few weeks ago regarding some wall assembly options and have one final question I would like to ask. I am in climate zone 5 – Iowa. Here is the wall assembly I am leading towards

LP Smartside
3/4″ x 2″ plywood furring for rainscreen (3/4″ required by LP for siding attachment)
standard Tyvek house wrap
2″ EPS foam R 9.0 @ 75F (FlexxBoard25 from Liteform is the product I like and am planning on using – and am planning on using it under basement slab and on exterior foundation walls as well)
OSB
2×6 walls, standard framing
BIBs insulation
1/2″ gyp and latex paint

I am shooting for a ‘pretty good house’. My windows will be outties and will need to buck out the windows to be in line with the face of the foam. I have seen that people either pack out the exterior side of the window with 2x material, make a plywood jamb type extensions, or use a product like thermal buck. I was wondering if it would be acceptable to use 2″ Zip R ripped into 3″ strips and frame around the outside of the window, then abut my foam to the zip strips and then cover everything with my WRB? This would be cheaper and easier to install and would still give a decent R value for thermal bridging at the window attachment locations

Just wondering this was considered a ‘pretty good’ whole wall assembly and if you thought the Zip Strips would make for good window bucks?

Thanks again for your help – the website has given me a lot of confidence in being able to build an efficient house that will last a long time.

Jeremy from Iowa