vapor barrier or not

2608 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by KennMacMoragh, Sep 20, 2013

WICNC_85

Discussion Starter · Sep 7, 2013

I'm building a deer hunting shack for a customer. The shack will not be heated all of the time on the winter. I'm wondering what I should use for a barrier on the inside of the shack or if I should even use one.

Thanks

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Tinstaafl

· #2 · Sep 7, 2013

I assume you're talking about a camp as opposed to a stand.

Regardless, if you're going to heat it even part time, best practice would be to insulate and VB the same way you would a house.

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SLSTech

· #3 · Sep 7, 2013

Location plays a factor but in general you will not need one - if insulated I would probably go with foam boards which definitely means you don't need one
An intro with your location in the profile would be pretty helpful

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FSCROB

· #4 · Sep 7, 2013

This sounds like a DIY question, I built my deer stand out of Aluminum SIPS.

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jimwalter

· #5 · Sep 7, 2013 (Edited)

Not to hijack but -code being overlooked-
Would the size of living space i.e. cabin/shack change vapor barrier benefits?
With no ventilation or distribution system maybe a little draft in a home would be a good thing?
Are there other building requirements that could/should be over looked for small living spaces?

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SLSTech

· #6 · Sep 8, 2013

Codes don't really apply to structures like this & yes it still needs a way to dry out, but if you intentionally leave "drafts" that means you also are leaving it exposed to high humidity days, water intrusion, etc...

As for small in general, it depends on usage & who is going to live there & if they will use windows, run vents to help evacuate humidity, etc... The tighter & better you insulate say a cabin people will live in - the smaller the heating & cooling need to be

As for vapor - diffusion is highly oversold, stop the air flow through the structure & take care of what is created applies to all houses - the 2015 codes are stripping the vapor barrier requirement for almost all climate zones (better Building Science knowledge finally) - as for the final language that is still a ways off to being finalized.

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CO762

· #7 · Sep 12, 2013

FSCROB said:
I built my deer stand out of Aluminum SIPS.

Most of the folks around here use tjis and the normal tip up 2x6 walls. The hardest part of that though is....figuring out the utilities for the fridge.

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FSCROB

· #8 · Sep 12, 2013

CO762 said:
Most of the folks around here use tjis and the normal tip up 2x6 walls. The hardest part of that though is....figuring out the utilities for the fridge.

I build Lanais and carports in Florida out of aluminum SIPs so I had plenty of extras. I do run power into my blind using the Harbor Freight solar panels and an inverter. It powers my heater, light and charges my phone.

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jlsconstruction

· #9 · Sep 12, 2013

I tell my guys this all the time. If you have to ask me, do it.

I hate when they call me and ask if they should change a sheet of plywood on a roof or something. I don't fvcking know does it need to be changed. Yes. Well then change it.

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Bob Vila

· #10 · Sep 19, 2013

If you are in the North use a vapor barrier.(retarder) When it is heated, it will keep water vapors from condensing in your wall cavity.

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CO762

· #11 · Sep 19, 2013

FSCROB said:
I build Lanais and carports in Florida

Good to see folks get around in the world.

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KennMacMoragh

· #12 · Sep 20, 2013

jlsconstruction said:
I tell my guys this all the time. If you have to ask me, do it.

I hate when they call me and ask if they should change a sheet of plywood on a roof or something. I don't fvcking know does it need to be changed. Yes. Well then change it.

:laughing: That's inexperience, they don't think about the end result, they think about what they were told, then they forget what they were told.

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