The science of moisture movement.
Moisture barrier garage walls.
Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors.
A vapor barrier reduces the movement of water vapor by diffusion.
Vapor barriers when to use them when to not.
Holes in the vapor barrier that allow humid air through may allow a lot more water vapor into an assembly than the vapor barrier is stopping.
Use a vapor barrier.
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.
Ceiling vapor barriers are a bad idea because they keep water vapor trapped inside the garage.
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.
Not every wall does.
This is normally done because it s the most cost effective method to achieve the desired level of comfort and ease of installation.
Plastic specifically 6 mil polyethylene plastic is.
Vapor barriers can help to keep condensation under control if installed in the right places.
The traditional way to insulate the walls and ceiling of a typical garage is to install fibreglass batt insulation in the walls and attic space followed by a six mil poly air vapour barrier and drywall.
Without a vapor barrier in place condensation inside the walls could ruin the insulation and promote the growth of harmful mold and bacteria.
In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side.
Doing this will only trap water vapor inside your garage.
On this special edition of the build show matt takes us on a guided tour through the ins and outs of vapor.
Proper installation of a wall vapor barrier or using insulation products with a built in vapor barrier will reduce garage condensation a vapor barrier can also be used to cover the floor but avoid using it on garage ceilings.
Thus installing vapor barriers on wall surfaces must.
Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.