Installing Vapor Barrier In Garage

Installing polyethylene poly to the warm side of a exterior wall is very important.

Installing vapor barrier in garage.

A vapor barrier can also increase your home s energy efficiency. With a little effort you can install this helpful device yourself. How to install poly vapor barrier. If you re using old uninsulated doors pick up a retrofit kit that add insulating panels.

If you live in climate zone 7 or 8 then it s a good idea to install a vapor barrier. Thus installing vapor barriers on wall surfaces must. While plain plastic sheeting is commonly used to make vapor barriers these traditional poly barriers will allow water and vapor to pass. Water vapor can pass through building materials in several ways including direct transmission and by heat transfer but studies suggest that fully 98 percent of the moisture transfer through walls occurs through air gaps including cracks around electrical fixtures and outlets and gaps along baseboards.

In summary you don t need a vapor barrier in a garage because there is not a lot of moisture in the garage. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. If you re adding new garage doors be sure to install insulated options.

This is generally referred to as installing vapour barrier because the main function is to stop the warm moist air in your home from entering the cold interior space inside of your wall cavity. The science of moisture movement. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. Install as directed typically cutting to fit and using a staple gun to attach the vapor barrier to the studs.

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. You should rather pay more attention to air leakages in the garage than vapor diffusion through the walls. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one. 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.

This is normally done because it s the most cost effective method to achieve the desired level of comfort and ease of installation.