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.
205
questions
1
vote
2
answers
76
views
Vapor Barrier possibly concealing leaks [closed]
Vapor barrier concealing leaks
Hey there! I could really use some advice on those that have plastic sheeting in their ceilings. We just moved into a 1970s socal home in June.
We have had numerous ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
35
views
Radon and moisture mitigation when joists are on dirt
In this house in a dry climate, the floor joists are directly on dirt, and the floor boards are just one layer (no subfloor). After 150 years, there is no rot, and there has of course been substantial ...
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
"Smart" vapor barriers
.Hi, all!
I've been working through insulating my kitchen. Had a drywall guy out who'll be patching all my stuff. He suggested that in his exp poly vapor barrier tended to create moisture problems. I ...
- 139
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
Fiberglass insulation above grade in basement
We have an unfinished basement that we want to finish. The walls are bare concrete and there is no subfloor. In the exterior, it seems there is a vapor barrier (we have the tar marks on the wall) . We ...
0
votes
0
answers
76
views
How can I install vapor barrier to an exterior wall from the outside?
I am insulating the garage portion of the house inside my garage. I will remove the siding and fiberboard used in the 60s. There is no insulation in the house. How do I get a vapor barrier without ...
0
votes
0
answers
35
views
How can I insulate exterior stuccoed walls from the interior side?
I am renovating two rooms of an old house and have removed the interior lathe/plaster with the intent to replace it with drywall. The walls were not insulated. My plan is to insulate these walls from ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
Insulating exterior 2x4 walls, from inside
KS weather (zone 6) is always averaging 5°F in winter at least a few times, and always over 100°F in summer for 20+ days. I bought a manufactured home that apparently has 2×4 exterior walls. I ...
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
26
views
Using a combo of 2x6 batts and 2" polyiso foam as vapor barrier inside of 2x8s?
I am in need of insulating 2x8 cantilever bays, under my kitchen, accessible through my basement. I was considering pulling up the cantilever OSB and then running plastic under, then putting 2x8 (7.25&...
- 139
2
votes
2
answers
102
views
How do I vapor seal around a fireplace exhaust?
I have a fireplace exhaust going through an exterior wall. It is a double-wall one for a freestanding propane fireplace, with the supply air coming in the outer chamber. The wall has rockwool ...
- 28.9k
0
votes
0
answers
13
views
Basement slab water permeance and vapor barrier, and mold precautions?
. Hi, all!
I ran a moisture test in my basement where you put some Calcium Chloride under a plastic dome for a few days, and then measure weight before and after. I came up with general permeance in ...
- 139
1
vote
0
answers
20
views
Can I use XPS insulation over poly sheet foundation waterproofing?
I recently had an internal perimeter French drain to sump installed along with a vapor barrier that directs water down into the French drain. Now I need to frame and get walls up. The piece I am ...
0
votes
0
answers
12
views
What are the Best Practices for insulation, vapour barriers et al on a vintage RV with a single sheet galvanized metal roof. From the inside
Likely due to bearing heavy snow loads ( previous owner(s) ) The single sheet galvanized roof developed a few dips where water collects. When the water is deep enough it infiltrates around the edges ...
1
vote
2
answers
253
views
Vapor barrier under shed floor
I'm purchasing a shed that I intend to use as a home gym. On delivery, the shed will be uninsulated, aside from the roof which is metal with a bubble underlayment. The floor is a single layer of ...
- 113
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
What moisture barrier would I use in this specific situation in a basement bathroom for a shower?
I live in climate zone 4.
It's hot in the summer cold in the winter.
It can get pretty humid since we live near rivers.
This is an exterior wall.
The shower will touch the two studs that are attached ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
253
views
Should I use a plastic vapor barrier on foundation walls? [duplicate]
I’m renovating my partially-below-grade guest room, and I currently have it stripped down to the cinder blocks. The only other part I’ve left in place are the vertical 1/2” plywood strips that are ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
58
views
Can I un-insulate my basement quickly, and refinish it slowly over time?
I live in MN, so, a very northern climate. The previous owners of my home insulated the belowground basement poorly. It is air conditioned and heated, but insulated with 2in fiberglass bats and wood ...
1
vote
0
answers
103
views
Replacing an old damaged lath and plaster wall and found wood plank walls under it. What type of vapor barrier is needed and how should it be applied?
We purchased an old house (1900s) that has lath and plaster walls. One of the interior faces of an exterior wall was badly damaged and the lath and plaster had to be removed. Under the lath and ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
92
views
How to paint interior of old uninsulated house
I live in a 70 year old bungalow with no insulation in a cold climate. The old paint is deteriorating, and there have been condensation problems. I believe the old paint is oil based and acted as a ...
- 316
0
votes
0
answers
159
views
Choice of tape for Kraft-faced insulation
I am preparing my home remodel for a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) insulation inspection. The design included a typical amount of over-engineering for new construction in California (Bay Area), and ...
- 163
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Would unfaced insulation with a plastic vapor barrier work better than faced insulation in a finished attic?
I am insulating my attic which will soon be drywalled. Is it better to go with faced insulation or unfaced insulation with 6 mil plastic sheeting as a vapor barrier? I live in Michigan (zone 5). Is ...
- 277
0
votes
0
answers
197
views
Should a vapor barrier go on before or after attaching furring strips?
I am installing furring strips to support drywall and I was wondering if the vapor barrier (planning on 6 mil plastic) should go before installing the furring strips or should it go on after the ...
- 277
2
votes
1
answer
137
views
Can I attach a vapor barrier directly to plaster, then install cedar tongue & groove?
I have a 1900 house that's never been insulated, and I'm putting in a new bathroom and kitchen. I plan to blow in cellulose insulation in most of the house walls.
In the bathroom, I have a small space ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
90
views
Attic Insulation Retrofit with XPS Foam Board
I have an attic space in my house that has been converted into part of the interior envelope and is now heated. Unfortunately, the rafters making up the ceiling are only 2x6 and contain only R-21 ...
2
votes
1
answer
724
views
Use of vapor barrier underneath a 3-season room
I have enclosed a screen porch with airflow underneath into a 3-season room. I have installed OSB over the existing pressure-treated decking, with the intention of installing ceramic tile over the OSB....
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
How do I install a vapor barrier on the exterior of an existing wall?
In this answer, it states quite emphatically that the vapor barrier should be on the exterior side of the wall, outside the insulation. In this particular question, the OP is in Michigan. I'm just a ...
- 43.1k
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
Fixing a drywall hole near shower
In trying to diagnose/fix a leak (details here), I cut a hole in the drywall near the shower. I found that immediately behind the drywall was some sort of barrier that was both rubbery and a little ...
- 65
2
votes
1
answer
142
views
Can I attach crawlspace vapor barrier over existing foam board on perimeter?
I have a very low crawlspace that i finally have access to while the floors have been removed. The crawlspace is vented freely and Former owner attached unfaced polystyrene boards to the perimeter ...
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Is there any benefit of a Vapour-barrier with gaps?
I'm installing fiberglass insulation to the floor of a cold loft. I've heard it is best to lay a vapour barrier first.
The trouble is that it is a 1960's house with poor access. There is no chance ...
- 73
1
vote
1
answer
187
views
Vapor barrier under laminate in Florida humidity
We are converting a small building on our property to a mother in law suite. The concrete has a vapor barrier underneath of it according to my brother who saw it when jack hammering to install the ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
199
views
Is this mold growing behind duct tape that's holding vapor barrier to concrete foundation?
We put a vapor barrier down in our crawl space. Some parts of the perimeter were not completely sealed, so a few months ago, I used a clear duct tape to attach the vapor barrier to the concrete ...
- 407
0
votes
0
answers
43
views
What is the most effective way to put paneling on old style red brick
I live in an old cottage style house. The exterior is old red brick, I call it old red brick because I'm sure it's not used no more it is about the size of a cinder block. When built there is ...
0
votes
0
answers
161
views
New Home Build Tar Paper/Vapor Barrier on Part of Garage Wall Interior that is an Exterior Wall
Had a question, have a new house being built in Arizona. Will attach a couple of photos but do you know why they would put a paper / barrier on the interior of part of the wall and not the rest? The ...
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Can I connect poly vapor barrier together with acoustical sealant?
I have a 2x4 framed garage with a previously insulated/vapor barriered ceiling. I added 2x2 framing to make 2x6 walls so I would have better insulation but have an issue connecting the wall vapor ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
423
views
Should I add vapor barrier between lath and drywall if only on half the wall? [closed]
I’m renovating a bathroom in my 125 year old home in Northern Michigan. The bathroom has lath and plaster walls with old wood panel wainscoting on the bottom 1/3rd of the walls. The plaster above the ...
- 101
1
vote
2
answers
120
views
Re-Insulating a Shed with 2x4 Walls [closed]
I am working on re-insulating a shed (350 sq. ft.) that has been used as a workshop. It has T1-11 siding and 2x4 walls. I've taken down all the interior paneling and had electrical updated. Now, to ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
201
views
mitigating radon in basement with joist & plywood floor
I bought a vacation home in the mountains and have found that it has a dangerous radon level (7.4pCi/L). The house has an 800 sq-ft unfinished basement, including a rough plywood floor over treated ...
- 2,411
0
votes
1
answer
857
views
Vapor barrier under cut slab
My basement concrete slab has been cut to add some plumbing. Problem is that it was cut in such a way that there are no existing vapor barrier left to tie new ones into. Attaching photos for better ...
- 197
1
vote
1
answer
125
views
Identifying thin plastic sheets between interior walls
I needed to run a cat6 cable through an interior wall between the living room and the office. Upon removing the drywall to insert a low voltage bracket, I realized there was a thin, opaque, plastic ...
2
votes
1
answer
401
views
Can I use a ground trench as a concrete foundation form?
My city said that for my 2-1/2 story home, the foundation needs a 12 inch wide and 3 feet deep foundation with 3500 psi concrete poured within the mud wall (i.e., no need of foam board). I am planning ...
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
251
views
Luxury vinyl flooring and above grade hot humid vapor pull
I've witnessed first hand that a strong vapor pull from a crawlspace up through the subfloor can happen when there is a big temperature difference. In this case a single room was cooled to 68 degrees ...
0
votes
1
answer
80
views
What is the most important component for the airtightness of a room?
I have looked at the UK building regulations and it says that timberframe cavities should be airtight to a minimum of 0.6 changes. This is for new builds, not renovations which is my case.
Looking ...
- 191
1
vote
1
answer
248
views
Vapour barrier for insulated, occasionally-heated Toronto shed?
I'm building an 8x12 garden shed in Toronto Canada (cold winters, fairly hot & humid summers). 2x4 construction, exterior Tyvek wrap, hardie siding onto studs, roof is metal standing seam over OSB ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
661
views
Insulation boards with foil facing outside - condensation issues?
AFAIK the best-practice for applying insulation+vapour barrier in cold climates is:
inside -> inside wall -> vapour barrior -> insulation -> outside wall (exposed to the elements).
If you ...
- 141
0
votes
0
answers
49
views
Insulating solid walls, permeable membrane vs solid insulation
I've got an integral garage being converted to living space (bedroom).
Around half the longest wall and rear wall is below ground which is insulated and well drained from the outside. Front wall ...
- 3,274
0
votes
0
answers
267
views
For a floating floor - Is it safe to use an underlayment above an existing vapor barrier?
I have a concrete slab floor, and it was very uneven, so I placed a vapor barrier down (6ml poly) and then I nailed 3/4" plywood overtop. This fixed a lot of issues with the floor being uneven.
...
- 264
0
votes
0
answers
532
views
How should I insulate my old brick house?
My house was built in 1920 out of a single layer of 8-inch thick hollow brick. I am looking to insulate the walls in the upstairs entirely from scratch -- there's no insulation on them at all right ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
32
views
Several layers of polyethyleen sheets as a vapor barrier under underlayment & laminate
I am putting 7mm laminate on concrete. I have underlayment (5mm) that requires >0.2mm polyethyleen (PE) sheet as a vapor barrier.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get >0.2mm PE but got 0.16mm PE ...
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
478
views
OK to forego vapor barrier under concrete slab if pressure-treated sill plate is used along with sill gasket?
Is it OK to forego installing a vapor barrier beneath a concrete slab (garden shed foundation) under the following set of circumstances?
there will never be any flooring material placed on the slab ...
- 1,142
1
vote
1
answer
75
views
A creative Eco-friendly Underlayment for a metal roof? [closed]
I am building an octagonal cabin with a 200 sq ft metal roof (Grandrib 3) at a 30 degree pitch; the roof will sit on wooden strapping and will eventually have insulation below it contained by a ...
- 107
0
votes
2
answers
181
views
How can I add more insulation to my finished attic walls without trapping moisture
I have a finished attic that has a kneewall insulated with fiberglass batts, insulation facing in. The batts fill the depth of the wall cavity completely to the end of the stud, there's no more room ...
- 1,000