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How Do I install a Vapor Retarder?


A vapor retarder is a thin sheet of either plastic of foil that is designed to be able to resist the moisture from entering the house through the wall, ceilings or floors of a building. The main idea is that it does not let the humidity to condensate in attics, basements and other wall openings where there is no heating. Vapor retarder is extremely important in northern climates as there the difference in temperatures is far bigger than in other type of climate.

Now about installing the vapor retarder, the sheet has to be placed between the insulation and the conditioned space. Most often staples are used to attach it to the studs. So that the vapor retarder would work properly it has to be installed as a one continuous sheet with no gaps, tears and other types of openings. All electrical receptacles, lights and switches, in addition to window and door frames and wall and ceiling intercepts have to be sealed properly.

Materials used as vapor retarders have to have extremely low permeability which measures the amount of water grains that pass through the material at normal vapor pressure and temperature. Materials that have a high measure in that cannot be used as vapor retarders as they do not have the necessary qualities.

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