Should you put vapor barrier on ceiling?

In hot-dry climates a vapor retarder should also not be installed, but attics can be vented. All attics — vented or unvented — should have an air barrier (a properly detailed airtight drywall ceiling, for example) regardless of climate.

How do you install a vapor barrier in a basement?





Tips for Installing Vapor Barrier in a Basement

  1. Pull the barrier tightly across, and cover large surfaces as flatly as possible.
  2. Make sure not to tear or cut the material.
  3. Align the barrier right up to electrical outlets, pipes, windows and other obstructions, and use a sealant to secure the material.

Where should vapor barrier be installed?

Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions: the inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot, humid climates. In existing spaces, oil-based paints or vapor-barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier.

Do you need a vapor barrier in a finished basement?

Steve Bliss, of BuildingAdvisor.com, writes: The short answer is: Don’t use a vapor barrier in a finished basement. This is asking for trouble, especially with a full bathroom, which generates a lot of humid air. Rigid foam board on the interior, like you have, is the ideal insulation.

What do you use for vapor barrier in ceiling?

Vapor barriers—sheets of plastic or kraft paper—keep water vapor out of the wall cavity, so the insulation stays dry. Not every type of insulation needs a vapor barrier. But if it does, the barrier should face inside in northern, heating climates, and outside in humid southern climates.

Should you put plastic over ceiling insulation?





It depends on your local climate. For climates that are higher humidity inside than outside in summer (a dry climate) plastic on the interior is OK. For climates that are higher humidity outside during the summer (a humid climate) plastic on the interior could be a serious mistake.

What mil plastic should be used for a vapor barrier?

Plastic, specifically 6-mil polyethylene plastic, is the most commonly used vapor barrier. Plastic has a very low permeability rating, which means water, in its gaseous or liquid state, does not travel through it.

Can you use 4 mil plastic for vapor barrier?

OVERVIEW. Our 4-mil plastic sheeting is a multipurpose film perfect for a wide variety of construction or DIY projects. This medium-duty plastic sheeting is commonly used as a vapor barrier in between insulation and drywall, used as a drop cloth or a temporary cover for equipment and supplies.

How thick should vapor barrier be?

Vapor barriers should be at least 6 mil in thickness to effectively cover the area and create a moisture barrier. Triangle Crawl Space Solutions uses both a 6 mil material for simple vapor barrier installation and a thicker more durable 12 mil vapor barrier material depending on the budget and needs of the home.

Should I put plastic behind drywall in a basement?



Basement wall systems should never include any polyethylene. You don’t want poly between the concrete and the insulation; nor do you want poly between gypsum drywall and the insulation. You don’t want poly anywhere.

Does vapor barrier cause mold?

The Problem With Vapor Barriers



This can lead to significant moisture problems and mold; problems occur when walls get wet during construction or more often throughout the home’s life.

Do you need a vapor barrier with rigid foam insulation?

Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.

Does closed cell foam act as a vapor barrier?



Quality closed cell foam insulation acts as a vapor barrier and does not absorb moisture; at the same time, the insulation prevents leakage by closing air gaps. With proper installation of foam insulation, the house should be well sealed and allow the house to breathe.

Do you need vapour barrier with foil backed insulation?

Using a vapour-check or foil backed plasterboard as a VCL



Vapour control layers are always required whenever you insulate, irrespective of the insulation used.

Does vapor barrier go above or below slab insulation?

The industry consensus is that underslab vapor barriers should be installed if the slab will be in conditioned space, or if the slab will be covered with a moisture sensitive flooring system. The underslab barrier should be less permeable than the floor covering.

Can you put a vapor barrier over concrete?

Subfloor Material



Therefore, because concrete is porous, it’s a good idea to install a vapor barrier over your concrete subfloor before installing your flooring. This way you can stop the vapor drive of water upward to your floors, protecting them from any damage (source).

Where does vapor barrier go under concrete?



From a moisture-protection standpoint, it is my strong belief – reinforced by decades of ACI study and expert opinions – that the under-slab vapor barrier should be located directly below the slab, without the use of a layer of granular fill (sometimes sand) sandwiched between the slab and vapor barrier, often referred …

Does Foamular need a vapor barrier?

The answer is, no. Walls must be assessed for vapor performance. The perception is, 1) liquid water runs off of foam plastic insulation, therefore, 2) it must be water impermeable, and, the misconception, 3) therefore it must be a vapor barrier.

Can I use foam board as a vapor barrier?

Rigid foam board, especially foil-faced polyisocyanurate, creates a vapor-impermeable barrier, so the wall would have limited drying potential. Even more permeable types of insulation, such as expanded polystyrene, are vapor barriers when the installation is thick enough.

How do you attach vapor barrier to foam board?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So for a 3-inch termite gap we we put the foam board at the this grout line on the cinder block so we'd measure here and then we could just like snap a line.