Vapour Barrier Exterior Wall

In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side.

Vapour barrier exterior wall.

Below grade walls and floor slabs transmit ground moisture through concrete walls or slabs. Any condensation on a properly installed continuous plastic vapor barrier will. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. Very hot and humid climates may benefit from an exterior vapor barrier that keeps outside humidity from penetrating into walls.

This wall assembly will dry from the vapor barrier inwards and will dry from the vapor barrier outwards. Vapor barriers are applied to the interior walls in climates which are predominantly cold while they are best applied to exterior wells in predominantly hot climates. A continuous plastic vapor barrier prevents condensation from forming on the internal surfaces of the exterior wall. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.

A vapour barrier sometimes referred to as vapour retarder is typically a plastic or foil sheet used for damp proofing to prevent interstitial condensation from forming in various building assemblies such as walls roofs foundations and floors. A vapor barrier against the concrete surface is generally recommended before wood framing or flooring materials are installed. When a vapor barrier is on the side of a wall where the dry air is i e outside in winter or inside in summer moisture problems can occur. Frame wall with cavity insulation and brick or stone veneer.

Finished basements often receive a vapor barrier layer between the concrete and the floor treatment to prevent damage from heavy rains or other moisture seepage. To know if you need a vapor retarder ask yourself a few basic questions. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate your home and the location of the wall you re insulating.