Do I Need A Vapor Barrier In Attic Insulation

Whether using loose fill or batts put the vapor barrier closest to the warm side of your installation where hot moist air would get in facing the house s interior in cold climates beneath floor insulation and the attic s interior in hot climates on top of floor insulation.

Do i need a vapor barrier in attic insulation.

Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. I install my vapor barrier in the middle of the wall system between the two walls.

Do i need a vapor barrier. Once thought to be essential throughout a home or office vapor barriers are now strongly recommended only for certain conditions and methods for creating a vapor barrier must be tailored to fit the climate region and type of wall construction. Take a note of the construction of the attic and figure out which type of barrier will be suitable. The paper facing contains a layer of impermeable asphalt that prevents water vapor from passing through it.

A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. Not every wall does. To install an efficient vapor barrier you need the dimensions of the room. The insulation fiberglass or cellulose is then placed on top of the drywall with no vapor barrier above or below.

After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one. Take the measurements with you when purchasing materials. Do not add a vapor barrier on top of the insulation in your attic since the paper facing on the existing insulation is the vapor barrier. 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.

Measure the entire area and write down the results. If you are planning to have an attic insulation project for your home you may be wondering whether it is important to have a vapor barrier installed as well. To be able to answer this question correctly for your home there are a few factors you need to consider before any major attic insulation project. Do not overlook attic access door.