Vapor barrier / Discussions

...vapor barriers when inspectors come by, but they are more breathable. Building Code has not kept up with building science, and you should NEVER cover a basement stud wall with 6 mil poly, yet many inspectors insist on it, so this can appease them, but it doesn't do the harm of a typical vapor barrier.   

...vapor retarder prime / vapor barrier paint on the Edelweiss House rather than a standard 6 mil polyethylene vapour barrier partly because we already had an Air Barrier in place as you mentioned. For the ceiling we did use a 6-mil poly barrier, as building scientists don’t consider the ceiling to be as great a risk with...

...barrier. And read here for more information about choosing breathable weather barriers. Most specifically, read our guide page to find the best way of installing exterior insulation to the walls of homes here Let us know more details about our wall assembly and what is behind the siding if you'd like, and we may be abl...

...vapor barrier, and you don’t want that on the outside. And a foil membrane hardly offers any thermal protection at all. A 1920s home would not have been built with an interior vapor barrier, but as it likely has multiple coats of oil paint by now it would pretty much have an interior ‘vapor barrier’ anyway, just with a...

...vapor barrier to the concrete or between the studs and drywall and the mineral wool has no vapor barrier.  Is this space between concrete and studwall a terribly idea if walls are already dry and mold free? the exterior of the basement walls has 2”  of foam on them so any warmer air from finished basement would permiat...

...barrier, those are most likely to create a problem in an air-conditioned home in a very hot and humid climate, so if you plan to have AC and keep your house very cool then upgrading to a ‘smart’ membrane is good idea. They are more breathable than standard 6 mil poly vapour barriers. From a design and quality of work p...

...barriers - Choosing a weather barrier house wrap, which is best? This page explains air / vapor barriers -  The difference between air barriers and vapor barriers    this one caulking and sealants which is best? But a 'double vapor barrier' isn't really something you need to concern yourself with, so don't go out of y...

...vapor barrier without tearing out the whole wall? I've read enough of the basement articles to know that on a new wall I should put a vapor barrier right against the foundation, then the wall assembly. Ideally with a perimeter drain as well. But this isn't new and that's not gonna happen for a while. Thanks! Putting va...

...vapor barrier also be the air barrier? There is a difference between the two, read more here first –  The difference between air barriers and vapor barriers If you plan to have an additional air barrier, for example a house wrap or Tyvek at the bottom (which would be my preference, then the options open up for how to ...

...vapor barrier on the house side (not pointed downward toward the basement). I want to had additional insulation, especially over the unheated garage. Is wool insulation over the existing fiberglass recommended, or should I simply add unfaced fiberglass insulation? Thanks, DB

...vapor barrier behind our drywall but doubt it - this is an older wood framed bungalow. In addition, i dont expect our interior drywall forms a very great air barrier either - we have the usual holes from outlets etc but we have a lot of windows and other installations - all done seemingly DIY so I have no idea if they ...

...vapor barriers was originally to prevent moisture accumulation and damage in walls, which it does above grade, but below grade a vapor barrier CAUSES moisture accumulation and rot. It’s a bit late now I guess, but what you should probably do if you can is see about cutting holes in the vapor barrier to let the moisture...

...vapor barrier that satisfies building inspectors (as it looks the same as any poly vapour barrier) but it will also let moisture escape. It’s called certainteed Membrain, and when too much humidity builds up, it actually has pores that open and let some moisture escape. But keep in mind, interior vapour barriers are on...

...barrier.  Then stud out the inside and R13 insulation then dry wall. Thoughts? What is your climate zone? Experiencing tornadoes is a clue, but closer is better. A foil bubble wrap will for sure act as a vapor barrier, but that should only be installed in a cold climate, so I’m assuming you’re a bit to the north. Foil ...

...vapor barrier using 6 Mil plastic and hold the new walls a few inches off of the block. I am worried about the moisture that makes it past the Drylok and it stoped by the vapor barrier. I have no french drain or any drain sytem. I believe Im right when saying that that space between the block and barrier has to breath ...

...barrier on the ground, but the rest is a little suspect to me as it is to you. First though I would point you to this page in case you haven’t seen it yet, it discusses the issues with crawl spaces and how they are best insulated and kept dry. Crawl Space Insulation Tips for Insulating Crawlspaces Properly So a few que...

...vapor retarder primer (vapor barrier paint) in our Edelweiss LEED Platinum Demo House instead of a 6 mil poly vapor barrier, it was for the walls not the floor. As for thickness, that is what we would call a bit of a concern with using it as a vapor barrier, it is harder to be sure there is consistency of coverage. Our...

I have a cinderblock foundation in my house built in central east Ontario in 1983. In 1999 I finished the basement, with tar paper against the cement wall, then studs and four inches of batt insulation and then a vapour barrier and drywall. Two years ago I noticed cracking on the exterior of some of the foundation bloc...