In general, there is no problem with a plastic vapor barrier over your faced insulation. In fact, in some climates, it may be a good idea. Faced insulation is rated as a vapor barrier but not an air barrier. Where air infiltration is a consideration, the addition of a plastic vapor barrier acts as an air barrier for added insulation.
How to insulate your house with kraft paper faced insulation?
- Cut the insulation roll or batt to fit the length of the framing cavity, if necessary. ...
- Fit the insulation into the framing cavity, starting at the top (for walls) or at one end (for ceilings/floors/roofs). ...
- Fold out the paper flange along one side of the insulation. ...
When to use faced or unfaced insulation?
Where To Use Faced And Unfaced Insulation. Unfaced insulation can be used anywhere to insulate two areas thermally and noisily. Faced insulation is used when two spaces need to be insulated from moisture in addition to heat and noise. Faced insulation is best for outer walls, attic roofs, garages, bathrooms, and kitchen walls. ...
What are vapor barriers and are they necessary?
Vapor barriers were originally intended to prevent assemblies from getting wet. However, they often prevent assemblies from drying. Vapor barriers installed on the interior of assemblies prevent assemblies from drying inward. This can be a problem in any air-conditioned enclosure. This can be a problem in any below grade space.
Do I need faced insulation?
Generally, you should use faced insulation in your garage, especially if you live in a cold, humid climate or a hot, humid climate. Faced insulation will keep the garage warm and dry and prevent moisture from reaching the frame of your garage, where it can cause mildew and rot of the structure.
Can I put vapor barrier over faced insulation?
If you have unfaced insulation installed and you want to install faced insulation to create a vapor barrier, you can immediately stack the faced insulation on top of the layer of unfaced insulation as long as you make sure the vapor barrier is facing the interior of the home.
Does faced insulation need plastic?
Fiberglass Insulation In most climates, it needs a vapor barrier. Some builders rely on batts with attached kraft-paper facing to do that job, but Tom recommends unfaced batts, covered in plastic with all the seams taped shut.
What is the purpose of kraft paper on insulation?
Kraft-faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder, which helps prevent mold and mildew. Kraft-faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls, exterior basement walls, and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward, towards the installer.
Should I put plastic over insulation before drywall?
Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage.
Do you need a vapor barrier with insulation?
Because it is mostly hot and very humid outside the building, the vapor barrier should be installed on the exterior of the insulation. This is recommended to keep the outside moisture from getting into the less humid, cooler interiors and damaging the building's structure.
Is it OK to cover insulation with plastic?
Plastic isn't recommended in this situation because it would create a second vapor barrier that can trap moisture and result in condensation and mold. Craft paper would have the same problem, this is what is most likely on the other side of the insulation for the vapor barrier you want.
Can kraft faced insulation be left exposed?
Never leave faced insulation exposed. The facings on kraft-and foil-faced insulation will burn and must be installed in substantial contact with an approved ceiling wall or floor construction material. Flame-resistant foil (FSK-25) is the only insulation facing that can be left exposed.
What is the difference between faced and kraft faced insulation?
The Difference Between Faced And Unfaced Insulation Faced just means that kraft paper is attached to the insulation itself. The paper helps improve the sturdiness of the insulation so it doesn't fall down as much. Unfaced insulation is just as good as faced, but it doesn't have that paper attached to it.
What side does vapor barrier go on insulation?
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. In any case, the vapor barrier must point to the warm side.
Do vapor barriers cause mold?
One of the more common problems with crawl spaces that do not have a crawl space vapor barrier system is that they create high moisture levels, which may result in mold growth – as dampness creates the ideal environment for mold growth.
How do you install plastic sheeting over insulation?
2:295:27How To Install Insulation and Vapor Barrier - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst and then you put your vapor barrier on top all right over here what we did is we wrapped ourMoreFirst and then you put your vapor barrier on top all right over here what we did is we wrapped our plastic. Um so we elongated the plastic from the uh.
What thickness should vapor barrier be?
6 milVapor barriers should be at least 6 mil in thickness to effectively cover the area and create a moisture barrier. Triangle Crawl Space Solutions uses both a 6 mil material for simple vapor barrier installation and a thicker more durable 12 mil vapor barrier material depending on the budget and needs of the home.
Can I Poly over Kraft faced insulation?
More than likely, installing an additional layer of poly over kraft facing won't cause any problems — it's no more risky than if the wall had only unfaced batts and poly — and the risk of using poly on the interior is relatively low in a cold climate like New York's.
How do you install face insulation?
0:060:49Installing Faced Batt Insulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe fit should be snug. And the vapor retarder should face the conditioned interior space unless youMoreThe fit should be snug. And the vapor retarder should face the conditioned interior space unless you were instructed otherwise. For your safety carefully remove any loose wood or nails as you proceed.
What is the difference between faced and unfaced insulation?
The Difference Between Faced And Unfaced Insulation Faced just means that kraft paper is attached to the insulation itself. The paper helps improve the sturdiness of the insulation so it doesn't fall down as much. Unfaced insulation is just as good as faced, but it doesn't have that paper attached to it.
Which way should faced insulation be installed?
Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That's because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.
What is Plastic Vapor Barrier?
A plastic vapor barrier is sheet polyethylene that is easily applied to walls as an additional barrier to air and moisture infiltration. In most cases, 6 mil plastic is used. There are other barrier materials, but in residential structures, plastic sheets are the most common.
How Does Faced Insulation Work?
The insulation is installed to protect against moisture infiltrating your home from the outside.
What is Faced Insulation?
Faced insulation is typically bat fiberglass insulation with a facing applied to the fiberglass to hold it together. When properly installed, the facing material acts as a vapor barrier protecting your home from moisture infiltration from outside. Under most climate conditions fund in the United States, faced insulation is extremely effective.
How many mils of poly for vapor barrier?
so if you want a vapor barrier, use a continuous 6 mil poly, lapped onto the ceiling and the floor, after the board is hung, you can trim the poly sticking out on the floor
What happens if moisture is reversed?
If, as you said, it is reversed, moisture will build up on the insulation and create a mess. I repair homes, and the most significant problems I face and have to repair are moisture penetration problems. Moisture in the walls will destroy just about any material it gets wet (for long enough of a time).
Can you use Kraft over poly?
If you want to use the kraft (and I don't know why) you should tape all the joints and not install poly over it. To answer Mike's question, the moisture will most likely come from the framing lumber itself.
Does Kraft face pass moisture?
the real point is that the kraft faced , even if meticulously applied to the face of the plate, shoe, and stud....has still got a lot of edges to pass moisture thru, not to mention around the penetrations, like electrical devices, etc..
Can poly be taped?
the poly can be form -fit, and taped...
Does moisture in walls destroy material?
Moisture in the walls will destroy just about any material it gets wet (for long enough of a time). Most of the time, I find that the installation of the windows, doors, siding, etc... is a piss poor job from the start, and has allowed moisture to seep into the wall cavity where it wreaks havoc.
Can you use cellulose instead of fiberglass?
of course, we use cellulose whenever we can , instead of the fiberglass
What is Plastic Vapor Barrier?from upgradedhome.com
A plastic vapor barrier is sheet polyethylene that is easily applied to walls as an additional barrier to air and moisture infiltration. In most cases, 6 mil plastic is used. There are other barrier materials, but in residential structures, plastic sheets are the most common.
How Does Faced Insulation Work?from upgradedhome.com
The insulation is installed to protect against moisture infiltrating your home from the outside.
What is the insulation for stick framed buildings?from finehomebuilding.com
Our assembly detailing (our office is in southern Ontario) for stick framed buildings typically calls for unfaced batt insulation between wood studs with 6 mil poly on the inside. The poly has to be caulked, taped, and outlets/switches wrapped and sealed.
Why do you need face and unfaced insulation?from airflowacademy.com
Faced and unfaced insulation play different roles in the insulation of a house and must be applied correctly to limit heat loss, sound, and vapor transfer. Faced insulation used with the vapor barrier facing the wrong way can lead to moisture trapped, leading to mold growth and rot of the home’s wooden structure.
Why do you need a vapor barrier?from homeguides.sfgate.com
It's a graphic illustration of why you need a vapor barrier covering your home insulation. Without a moisture-proof material to protect the insulation and framing within the wall, hot and cold battle, moisture forms, and mold and rot take advantage of the result. Install an unbroken sheet of polyethylene vapor barrier to prevent it from happening.
What is a vapour retarder?from finehomebuilding.com
Vapour retarders provide a line of defence in your wall assembly that prevents the passage of water vapour laden air through the wall assembly to a temperature point in the assembly at which it condenses , usually soaking the insulation (as the insulation provides the wall's most significant temperature drop) reducing the thermal resistance of the assembly and introducing the possibility of rot, mildew and/or corrosion.
Why hang fiberglass insulation between studs?from homeguides.sfgate.com
Hang "faced" fiberglass insulation between wall studs to eliminate the need for a separate barrier. The special paper lining one side of the insulation is sufficient to block moisture and air. Some builders choose to attach a separate vapor barrier even with faced insulation, however. It doesn't hurt anything.
Can you put plastic over the faced insulation?
The answer is yes. You can put plastic over unfaced insulation. But I don’t recommend you to cover faced insulation because it will trap moisture.
Do you put a vapor barrier over faced insulation?
There are some benefits to putting a vapor barrier on top of unfaced insulation. The vapor barrier will help protect the insulation from water damage and keep the attic dry.
Masonry construction for the insulation
Local reliance on masonry and concrete may be due to termite or hurricane concerns.
Airspace for ventilation and drainage in the insulation
The exterior of your house should be brick or stone with standard units. Connect the shrubs well to the backup wall to ensure there are no gaps. Some often misunderstood points include flashing units that flash from behind insulation across to the footing and under the veneer brick.
Does vapor barrier go over kraft faced insulation?
The vapor retarder shall be installed on the warm-in-winter side of the thermal insulation." A lot of people call this a "vapor barrier" requirement, and believe polyethylene is required by the code, but kraft facing on batt insulation (which has a permeance of about 0.4) meets this code requirement all by itself.
Does faced insulation need to be covered?
To satisfy building codes, most faced insulation must be covered with half-inch-thick wallboard or other code-approved material to reduce the chances of its igniting during a fire. There is a type of faced insulation approved for exposed installations.
Do you need vapor barrier over insulation?
After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder, sometimes called a vapor barrier, if you need one. Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall, ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
Is it OK to put plastic over insulation?
Install the plastic sheeting only after the insulation, wiring and plumbing have been completed. Stretch the plastic sheet tightly across the top of the wall and staple it to the studs and plates with a hammer-tacker, a tool designed to install staples quickly and efficiently.
Is it OK to cover insulation with plastic?
Plastic isn't recommended in this situation because it would create a second vapor barrier that can trap moisture and result in condensation and mold. Craft paper would have the same problem, this is what is most likely on the other side of the insulation for the vapor barrier you want.
Do vapor barriers cause mold?
One of the more common problems with crawl spaces that do not have a crawl space vapor barrier system is that they create high moisture levels, which may result in mold growth – as dampness creates the ideal environment for mold growth.
What is the difference between vapor barrier and moisture barrier?
Moisture barriers function to help in preventing water from entering inside of the wall cavity. On the other hand, vapor barriers basically prevent water vapor from the interior of the house to filter through the wall and condense on the warm side of the insulation.
Why doesn't it matter kraft paper?
Why doesn’t it matter? First, the kraft paper is a vapor retarder meant to reduce the potential for moisture problems caused by diffusion. Sounds like a good idea, but the vast majority of moisture problems are caused by air leakage, not diffusion, even in places like Maine.
Why doesn’t it matter?
First, the kraft paper is a vapor retarder meant to reduce the potential for moisture problems caused by diffusion. Sounds like a good idea, but the vast majority of moisture problems are caused by air leakage, not diffusion, even in places like Maine. Do the air sealing; stop worrying so much about vapor retarders.
Can you put vapor retarder on a wall?
The warm-in-winter suggestion says that if you’re trying to limit the diffusion of water vapor, put the vapor retarder on the humid side of the wall, where…uh…it’s not able to retard much vapor. In a really, really cold climate, it may matter, but even in Maine and Ontario, vapor retarder paint would be a better way to go.
Can you put kraft paper on the wrong side?
The upshot here is that If you put the kraft paper on the wrong side and it gets wet, it won’t trap moisture. The wetter it gets, the better it dries. If you put it on the right side, where the humidity is, it’s not much of a vapor retarder. Also on the graph is the permeance of polyethylene.
Is vapor retarder paint good for Maine?
In a really, really cold climate, it may matter, but even in Maine and Ontario, vapor retarder paint would be a better way to go. If you want to slow down the vapor diffusion, why not do it before it hits the drywall?
How is unfaced insulation held in place?
Unfaced insulation is held into place by the pressure or friction fit in joints and rafters when installing it .
What is face insulation?
Faced Insulation is fiberglass insulation with a kraft paper vapor barrier on one side. It’s stapled into place with the paper side facing the interior of the home. Unfaced insulation has no kraft paper vapor barrier attached to it and is held into place by pressure or friction.
What is the term for the situation where water vapor penetrates through a building material?
The situation where water vapor penetrates through the building material is referred to as permeability. Both vapor barriers and vapor retarders are rated through a system called a perm, which is the term related to “permeance” and” permeability.”
Why is it important to insulate your home?
Home Insulation promotes comfort. Whether you need it or not is an important question, but insulating your home is one of the most important investments in home construction.
Why is sound insulation used in a room?
Insulation also involves sound. The interior of a room is installed with a soundproof material to minimize sound from coming in and getting out.
What is the impact of climatic conditions on the choice of vapor fabric?
The climatic condition of the region a person resides in has a significant impact on the choice of Vapor Fabric to use and where to install the Vapor material, e.g., whether to install it on the outer or the inner walls.
When insulating a ceiling, should the paper side face down?
For example, when insulating a ceiling, the paper side should face down and not up. When insulating an exterior wall, the paper side will be to the interior with the drywall installed against the paper.