How To Add A Vapor Barrier To Attic

In areas with high humidity such as greenhouses rooms with spas or swimming pools and bathrooms vapor barriers are often recommended.

How to add a vapor barrier to attic.

What you need is an air barrier that is at every step of the way you have to pay attention to airtightness. Most authorities recommend vapor barriers in certain situations. And it would not add to much weight to attic size is 550 sq. Attic vapor barrier detail for cold climates 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.

Over time this trapped moisture can rot the wood framing in your attic or cause mold and mildew to appear. The theory is that part of the moisture vapor in the house is actually blocked by the drywall and paint on the. This means also the access hatch. Adding a second vapor barrier could cause condensation to become trapped in the insulation between the two vapor barriers.

Most forms of attic insulation benefit from the addition of a vapor barrier to protect them from the harmful effects of moisture which can reduce their effectiveness over time the following are a few simple steps to help you undertake the task properly so your vapor barrier retains heat without damaging the insulation. A plastic vapor barrier is best installed in a vented attic within climates with over 8 000 heating degree days. You have loose fill insulation in the attic which doesn t have a vapor barrier. How to install radiant barrier on attic rafters in 5 steps.

The goal of adding a radiant barrier in your attic is to cover as much of the underside of the roof as possible. You want to add the foil on all surfaces that make up the roof but you also need to keep vents open and clear of the foil. No you don t need a vapor barrier. Air sealing an attic.

When it comes to the stairway leading into your attic you should heed the advice in this article. Avoid adding interior vapor barriers where the outer wall construction already includes a material with vapor barrier properties. On the other hand an air barrier a properly detailed air tight drywall ceiling for example in the absence of a vapor barrier can be effective since it stops the flow of vapor laden air. You will see on which side is the vapor barrier.

Victorian home much thanks. The basics of air sealing are covered in this article. If your climate does not meet these conditions a vapor retarder like latex ceiling paint will work well for your house if you are in all other climates except the hot dry and hot humid.