Attic Insulation Vapor Barrier

With a vapor barrier you will be able to significantly reduce this movement of vapor and make your living space more comfortable.

Attic insulation vapor barrier.

Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. Some regions don t require a vapor barrier. This acts as a barrier to keep heated moist air from rising up into the attic during cold weather.

A vapor barrier basically helps to prevent moisture from entering your home through the ceiling floor or the walls. The following are a few simple steps to help you undertake the task properly so your vapor barrier retains heat without damaging the insulation. If you do there is a chance that moisture that has slipped by the first vapor barrier will become trapped by the second vapor barrier decreasing the value of your insulation. When adding additional insulation to an attic that is already insulated never use insulation with a vapor barrier.

The best approach for a vented attic in a cold climate is installing a layer of drywall with a good coat of latex paint the paint creates a semi permeable vapor barrier. The insulation fiberglass or cellulose is then placed on top of the drywall with no vapor barrier above or below. This barrier is meant to keep moisture from getting to the insulation in the walls and ceilings and it is required by building codes when insulating most houses. Adding a second vapor barrier could cause condensation to become trapped in the insulation between the two vapor barriers.

It is a known fact that moisture in the air can trigger certain disorders and aggravate particular medical conditions such as hay fever asthma etc. Attic insulation should always be installed with the paper backing facing toward the living space the ceiling in this case.