Vapor Barriers

WNYcarpenter

Reading the TYVEK roof wrap thread reminded me of an argument we have consistantly.

Jamestown is a cold weather climate. When it comes time to insulate we always ask, every project....How are we going to do this:

Our tendency is unfaced with plastic on the walls, unfaced no plastic on the ceiling....sometimes we plastic everything, and sometimes we use craft faced everywhere.

I've read different articles on the subject anywhere from engineers, experts, contractors and I've never been able to make heads or tails.

I disagree using plastic for two reason: 1. Lumber needs to breathe. Heat loss or cold air penetration will cause condensation which in turn leads to rot and mold. 2. If there happens to be a leak in the roof, or water pipe what have you, it takes that much longer for the problem to be revealed, and the locating the leak is more difficult.

I prefer craft faced overlapped and stapled to the face of the stud, but our drywall contractor won't guarantee his work in this case because he glues and screws.

Any thoughts?

mikesewell

We just demolished a 12 year old addition in Stephentown NY, and rebuilt it. The roof leaked, but whoever did the plastic did a REALLY nice job, and at a great price too.

Thanks buddy, whoever you are, I hope you do a lot of work around this area. You're welcome to underbid me anytime.

P.S. Send me your customer list, and I'll start sending you finder's fees.

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Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

camaroman2125

when i insulated my dad's houses it was always unfaced in the walls and faced in the ceilings. Plasticed all the exterior walls and that was it.

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.