Vapor Barrier Foam Insulation
On the interior walls between the finished and unfinished areas i was going to use rockwool insulation with 1 2 sheetrock on both sides.
Vapor barrier foam insulation. Xps foam extruded polystyrene before building the interior walls to create a thermal break vapor barrier. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. If coupled with a waterproofing system moisture and water can be eliminated from the crawl space before it causes any problems. A vapor barrier slows down or eliminates the evaporation of ground moisture into the crawl space air.
Some debate still occurs over how necessary vapor barriers are but a consensus is growing closer. Avoidance of the installation of vapor barriers such as polyethylene vapor barriers foil faced batt insulation and reflective radiant barrier foil insulation on the interior of air conditioned assemblies a practice that has been linked with moldy buildings lstiburek 2002. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. If you live in a cold climate place the vapor barrier between the interior of your home and the insulation.
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. For example closed cell foam is from class ii and open cell is from class iii. Scientists still discuss if those methods are efficient. Many of them don t agree that vapor barriers are so necessary even with open cell foam insulation.
Resolution of the vapor barrier debate. On the exterior concrete walls i glued 2 in. Whether your vapor barrier is a facing or a film it must be placed on the warm in winter side of the wall. There are three classes of vapor barriers.
Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. To complete the vapor barrier you would want to foam seal or tape all the sides where the rigid meets timber because these gaps will facilitate vapor flow. However an installation between the studs can pose a challenge. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.
However an installation between the studs can pose a challenge. Our team can insulate and air seal your crawlspace walls and mid floor with icynene spray foam insulation. Vapor barriers keep the air moisture in your house from condensing in the insulated cavities. Most authorities now agree that vapor barriers are important under certain conditions but not necessarily as a whole house solution for every home.
Rigid foam insulation is usually a qualified vapor barrier.