Do you need moisture barrier on second floor?

You should not need a vapor barrier for wood floors on the second floor. Unless there is some water feature, steam room, or other moisture sources on the first floor, the moisture barrier for hardwood floors under the first floor should suffice for the rest of the home.

What is a good moisture barrier for concrete floor?





The most commonly used vapor barrier under concrete slabs is polyethylene (poly) plastic sheeting with a thickness of 10 mil or 15 mil. All Americover Vapor Barriers are composed of virgin polyolefin resins and offered in 10 mil, 15 mil, and 20 mil.

Do I need a vapor barrier over concrete slab?

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).

Do I need a vapor barrier on my bathroom floor?

A bathroom is generally a very warm place. This is because whenever warm air meets colder air, the formation of moisture is therefore guaranteed. The vapor barrier is vital as it screens the place where the moisture could definitely form.

Do you need underlayment for second floor?





Underlayment is required for any installation of laminate flooring or engineered real wood flooring. Both types of flooring are installed by a “floated,” or “free-floating,” method, meaning they are not actually attached to the sub-floor.

How do you install a moisture barrier on a concrete floor?

How to Install a Vapor Barrier on a Concrete Floor

  1. Select the Vapor Barrier. …
  2. Clean Floor and Perimeter Walls. …
  3. Apply Butyl Tape to Walls. …
  4. Unroll and Trim Vapor Barrier Sheets. …
  5. Apply Vapor Barrier Seam Tape. …
  6. Fasten Vapor Barrier to Wall.

What should I put between wood and concrete?

Anyplace where wood meets the ground or concrete, the lumber must be pressure treated. For additional moisture protection, a gasket or strip of closed-cell foam can be installed between the concrete foundation and the sill plate.

How do you seal vapor barrier to concrete?



Put up the wall plastic

Stick the vapor barrier material to the foundation seal tape and then use mechanical fasteners to hold it forever. Drill holes through the plastic and through the seal tape into the block. If you drill through the seal tape you will prevent the plastic from peeling off when you remove the drill.

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.

What is the difference between a vapor barrier and a moisture barrier?



Moisture barriers function to help in preventing water from entering inside of the wall cavity. On the other hand, vapor barriers basically prevent water vapor from the interior of the house to filter through the wall and condense on the warm side of the insulation.

What type of insulation is best for bathrooms?

When it comes to finding the best insulation for your bathroom walls, spray foam and fiberglass-based insulation materials are both good choices. In terms of pricing, fiberglass insulation is more budget-friendly to use than spray foam insulation.

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.

Can I use plastic sheeting as a vapor barrier?

Reinforced polyethylene plastic sheeting (poly) comes in a variety of thicknesses and strengths. A 6 mil thick poly is commonly used as a vapor barrier and offers short-term savings to the homeowner.

Do you need a vapor barrier with foam board insulation?



In houses with spray foam insulation, however, vapor barriers are not necessary. 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.

Is a vapor barrier really necessary?

Vapor barriers protect against mold and rot inside structures by preventing condensation and moisture from building up and damaging building materials. If a home is being built in a very humid climate, a vapor barrier can be an essential source of protection from problems caused by excess moisture.

Do vapor barriers 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.

Is Tyvek a vapor barrier?



Is DuPont Tyvek® a vapor barrier? No, DuPont Tyvek® is not a vapor barrier. It is made with unique material science to keep air and bulk water out while allowing moisture vapor inside walls to escape.

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.

Should vapor barrier be clear or black?

Black barriers are more effective at stopping moisture evaporation, compared with the clear barrier. The black color hinders the growth of plant seeds that may reside beneath a home’s crawlspace. Plants naturally send moisture into the air, creating more moisture.

What plastic should I use 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.