Questions tagged [vapor-barrier]

Vapor barriers are used to limit how much humidity penetrates a home. This is most commonly done via kraft paper, adhered to in-wall insulation. Use for questions about installing it.

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What are the pros and cons of adding a vapor barrier behind shower backer board?

After much research, I have a lot of conflicting advise about the need to add a vapor barrier before installing the backer (hardy / cement) board for my bathroom shower. The "expert" at Home ...
virtualxtc's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
11k views

What are the pros and cons of a vented vs unvented crawl space?

I find it very confusing to read and hear conflicting advice on crawl space: vent vs air seal, different ways to do insulation, vapor barriers vs not, etc. Mine currently has some moisture and has ...
Peter Q's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
6k views

What is the purpose of a vapor barrier?

I live in southern Brazil and I don't really know if I need a vapor barrier, mainly because I'm still confused about its purpose. The house in question have brick exterior walls and interior drywall. ...
Luiz Borges's user avatar
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5 votes
5 answers
151k views

Should I install a vapour barrier if I'm using rigid foam insulation?

I'm re-insulating a room in my house from the inside. I've read that polyisocyanurate (polyiso) rigid foam insulation is the best R-value, so I plan on using that. Details: The house was built in ...
Quasipickle's user avatar
3 votes
5 answers
82k views

Should I put vapor barrier only on exterior wall of a bathroom?

I've been searching around the site and haven't found an answer for my question on where to place a vapor barrier so I'm hoping to get a little more clarity here. Basically I'm in the home stretch of ...
BradLowrey's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
6k views

Removing Tuck Tape from an unfinished window frame

The builder taped the vapour barrier to the window frames in my basement. Is this normal? I attempted to peal it off but the glue residue is stuck to the wood. Any suggestions on how I can remove ...
Kevin's user avatar
  • 243
0 votes
2 answers
22k views

Should I install a moisture barrier behind drywall in house with T1-11 siding?

My home interior walls are thick redwood paneling in the bay area mountains. i'm about to start removing the wood in my second bedroom and want to install a moisture barrier on the 1 outside wall of ...
mattsn0w's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
857 views

Can a vapor barrier follow the profile of floor joists?

I'm renovating the 4th and top floor of a house built in 1906 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The house has masonry load-bearing walls and wooden beams. The current situation is shown in the image ...
Eric's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
37k views

How to properly insulate a garage?

I'm considering insulating (and drywalling) my garage, which already has insulated garage doors. My main goal is to keep it from getting much below freezing during the winter. This garage is located ...
user2446's user avatar
  • 501
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is good advice for a beginner layng insulation?

Background I have a manufactured home from the 70's with metal siding, wood studded walls and fiberglass insulation on the inside. I had a clogged gutter, which caused water to run behind the siding, ...
Greg's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
6k views

What happens when a vapor barrier is too close to the cold side?

The vapour barrier must be installed on the warm side of the wall, that is on this interior side of the house. It is permissible to have it sandwiched in the middle between two layers of insulation, ...
matt wilkie's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
12k views

How can I measure water/moisture content within a wall cavity?

Related to improper placement of a vapour barrier within wall insulation, are there any tools or methods for measuring water/moisture content within a wall cavity?
matt wilkie's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
15k views

Is torn kraft paper vapor retarder in the attic a problem?

I'm adding additional insulation in my attic. Unfortunately, I tore the kraft paper vapor barrier of the existing fiberglass insulation in many places while air sealing. Is this a problem? Or is this ...
Laxmidi's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Vapor barrier above a frequently wet crawlspace?

How can I create a vapor barrier between my home and its crawlspace which frequently has standing rain water that must evaporate and drain? Some first floor rooms have smelled damp for years. I am ...
FireFox31's user avatar
1 vote
5 answers
51k views

Do I need a moisture barrier between my bedroom and attic?

This is related to my other question about moisture barriers. There is an attic above the bedroom and there is insulation with paper backing in place. The attic area seems far more likely to get ...
mattsn0w's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
3k views

Running cable through vapor barrier

I have a manufactured home (2001 vintage) sitting on a crawlspace. (I.e. it has mortared cinderblocks around it rather than skirting.) The home has a vapor barrier attached to the underside between it ...
Edward Amsden's user avatar