A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
Spray on vapor barrier insulation.
They are combined with flashing and other materials to ensure that there is a shingled assembly to direct liquid water.
The facing on faced insulation acts as a vapor retarder.
Moisture barriers are specifically designed not to be a vapor barrier as the minimum water vapor permeance for a water resistive barrier is 300 perms.
If you need a vapor barrier and your insulation is unfaced you must cover it with a polyethylene film.
There are three classes of vapor barriers.
Map is divided into 7 climate zones every of which has its own requirements to the barrier class.
Not every wall does.
In mixed climate areas the vapor barrier is optional depending on the total design of a building.
Many of them don t agree that vapor barriers are so necessary even with open cell foam insulation.
After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.
For example closed cell foam is from class ii and open cell is from class iii.
Resolution of the vapor barrier debate.
Cima does not recommend the use of vapor barriers with cellulose insulation except in circumstances of exceptionally high moisture levels such as an indoor pool facility or very cold climates.
Some debate still occurs over how necessary vapor barriers are but a consensus is growing closer.
Most authorities now agree that vapor barriers are important under certain conditions but not necessarily as a whole house solution for every home.
In cold climates a vapor barrier is almost always needed.
Research has shown that this is incorrect.