Vapor Barriers Vapor Barrier Attic

What you need is an air barrier that is at every step of the way you have to pay attention to airtightness.

Vapor barriers vapor barrier attic. Remove any transferable items from the attic so that they do not get in the way as you work. A vapor barrier or vapor diffusion retarder is a material that reduces the rate at which water vapor can move through a material. The goal of vapor barrier strategies is to prevent moisture from collecting and corrupting building materials. Climates vapor barriers or more accurately vapor diffusion retarders should be part of a moisture control strategy for a home.

The basics of air sealing are covered in this article. A plastic vapor barrier is best installed in a vented attic within climates with over 8 000 heating degree days. If there is limited lighting find a way to provide more so you can see what you re doing. Attic insulation should always be installed with the paper backing facing toward the living space the ceiling in this case.

Air sealing an attic. Improperly installed a vapor barrier may actually trap moisture inside a wall while a wall that is more porous can breathe effectively and be less susceptible to long term moisture problems. Lucy no you don t need a vapor barrier. Continue reading below our video of the day.

If your climate does not meet these conditions a vapor retarder like latex ceiling paint will work well for your house if you are in all other climates except the hot dry and hot humid. This acts as a barrier to keep heated moist air from rising up into the attic during cold weather. Attic vapor barrier detail for cold climates even though we apply vapor barriers to exterior insulated walls in cold climates it s no longer recommended for ceilings floor of the attic.