Attic Insulation Moisture Barrier

Most forms of attic insulation benefit from the addition of a vapor barrier to protect them from the harmful effects of moisture which can reduce their effectiveness over time.

Attic insulation moisture barrier.

Attic insulation should always be installed with the paper backing facing toward the living space the ceiling in this case. This acts as a barrier to keep heated moist air from rising up into the attic during cold weather. They don t however reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials. This really helps prevent trapped moisture between a traditional vapor barrier and the drywall.

After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one. In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side. Now with attic insulation heat is no longer lost from the living space such that moisture may remain trapped in the attic vapor barriers were therefore necessary to reduce moisture flow into the attic. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.

The latex paint allows the ceiling to breath a bit but still help prevent significant movement of air and water vapor. The heat being lost from the house below warmed up the attic so that moisture was lost through the vents as vapor. The following are a few simple steps to help you undertake the task properly so your vapor barrier retains heat without damaging the insulation. The insulation fiberglass or cellulose is then placed on top of the drywall with no vapor barrier above or below.

Vapor barriers in attics should only be installed on one side of the insulation. Radiant barriers are installed in homes usually in attics primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. Not be trapped inside. 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.

Never compress or fluff your insulation. Since some leakage of moisture into the insulation in inevitable murphy s law you want it to be able to freely escape from the insulation into the attic. Adding a second vapor barrier could cause condensation to become trapped in the insulation between the two vapor barriers.