Even vinyl wall paper which has a low perm rating can induce moisture problems in warm humid climates where hot moist conditions tend to drive moisture into the wall from the outside of the building.
Vapor barrier roof hot humid climate.
In hot climates any moisture that condenses on the exterior side of the vapor barrier will be.
When constructing unvented roofs with asphalt shingles in hot humid climates a vapor barrier must be installed between the asphalt shingles and the roof deck.
Therefore the ideal assembly of a frame wall keeps the interior side fully permeable and locates both an air barrier and water vapor retarder or barrier to the exterior side to minimize the entry of outside water vapor.
Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions.
In cold climates the location of the retarder is to the interior side of the thermal insulation.
In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier.
In cold climates condensation is limited on the interior side of the vapor barrier as a result of installing all of the thermal insulation on the exterior side of the vapor barrier which is also the drainage plane and air barrier in this assembly.
In very warm humid climates if a vapor retarder is used naima recommends installing it to the exterior side of the wall.
Asphalt shingles store water from dew condensation due to night sky cooling and rain.
The vapor retarder location specified above is specifically for hot humid climates.