Vapor Barrier Ceiling Below Attic

Before the introduction of attic insulation attics in cold climates were poorly insulated and plastic ceiling vapor barriers were omitted.

Vapor barrier ceiling below attic.

Due to this inevitable fact it s actually better to omit a vapor barrier between the insulation and drywall of the ceiling below the attic. Now with attic insulation heat is no longer lost from the living space such that. Basement ceiling vapor barrier. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side.

To know if you need a vapor retarder ask yourself a few basic questions. The attic floor which is the ceiling of the living space below often already is insulated. In circumstances where conditions inside a home or office are much different than outdoor conditions water. Batting is either faced with paper that provides a vapor barrier or unfaced so you can add your.

Resolution of the vapor barrier debate. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. 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. This acts as a barrier to keep heated moist air from rising up into the attic during cold weather.

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. A vapor barrier in an attic assembly in a severely cold climate with the absence of an air barrier will likely be ineffective. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. 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.

Most authorities now agree that vapor barriers are important under certain conditions but not necessarily as a whole house solution for every home. Some debate still occurs over how necessary vapor barriers are but a consensus is growing closer. Almost 6 years by bv006343. Attic insulation should always be installed with the paper backing facing toward the living space the ceiling in this case.