Installing a vapor barrier in your walls, ceiling, floor, or crawl space has numerous advantages, including preventing moisture damage, increasing energy efficiency, and even lowering the risk of mold and bacteria-related health problems. The necessity, however, can vary based on factors such as ...
A vapor barrier is intended to keep water vapor or water molecules from passing through the barrier. Water vapor is a gas or "vapor". Plastic or polyethylene is a vapor barrier. The plastic sometimes used on the warm-side of building walls (on the wall interior under drywall in northern...
Vapor barriers - to add on or not. Everyone has an opinion on this one and that includes me. My experience tells me that unless you live in a desert climate you need a vapor barrier. Many builders don't add vapor barriers to garage walls as they are not considered a living space. Th...
Some types of batt insulation can also come with a layer of paper or foil vapor barrier. Installed in an attic, batt insulation can get awkward or difficult to install in low headroom clearance areas. On the other hand, though, loose-fill insulation provides a much easier solution to insulat...
How do you keep a continuous foam insulation/vapor barrier when you have drains and stacks right against or maybe an inch from the concrete walls? Is it okay to use 2″ foam everywhere and just slip a 1″ piece the width of the pipe tightly behind the pipe and tape it to the 2″ ...
Once the tub is in place and properly leveled, it's time to focus on waterproofing the surrounding areas. This step is essential to prevent future water damage to your walls and floors. Apply a Vapor Barrier: If you haven't already, install a vapor barrier behind the walls that surround ...
clever mechanical techniques. Actually, an air conditioner is very similar to another appliance in your home -- therefrigerator. Air conditioners don't have the exterior housing a refrigerator relies on to insulate its cold box. Instead, the walls in your home keep cold air in and hot air ...
At FLOOR TILE INSTALL on CONCRETE Steve Bliss suggests: On tiled walls, protect the wood framing from water intrusion, using either 6-mil poly or 15-pound asphalt-impregnated felt lapped to shed water. The barrier should go between the tile substrate and the framing. On outside walls, this...
This is an extra layer added with the vapor and is no more difficult to install than typical batt and blanket insulation. Remember that with insulation, it's all about the R value – the higher the better. This will, however, be limited to the thickness of your walls. Replay Video We...
Using long screws is probably the most common way exterior insulation is attached to walls in new home construction. The screws go into wood strapping, girts, orhat channelson the outside, then all the way through the insulation, and then into the structure. The photo below is from the RD...