Most authorities now agree that vapor barriers are important under certain conditions but not necessarily as a whole house solution for every home.
Spray on vapor barrier insulation.
Map is divided into 7 climate zones every of which has its own requirements to the barrier class.
Many of them don t agree that vapor barriers are so necessary even with open cell foam insulation.
Resolution of the vapor barrier debate.
For example closed cell foam is from class ii and open cell is from class iii.
A common misconception is that all insulations require vapor barriers in all situations.
In cold climates a vapor barrier is almost always needed.
A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
Moisture barriers should be installed on the cold side of the insulation.
They are combined with flashing and other materials to ensure that there is a shingled assembly to direct liquid water.
Moisture barriers are specifically designed not to be a vapor barrier as the minimum water vapor permeance for a water resistive barrier is 300 perms.
Cima does not recommend the use of vapor barriers with cellulose insulation except in circumstances of exceptionally high moisture levels such as an indoor pool facility or very cold climates.
In circumstances where conditions inside a home or office are much different than outdoor conditions water.
There are three classes of vapor barriers.
Some debate still occurs over how necessary vapor barriers are but a consensus is growing closer.
If you need a vapor barrier and your insulation is unfaced you must cover it with a polyethylene film.
In mixed climate areas the vapor barrier is optional depending on the total design of a building.
Research has shown that this is incorrect.