We live in northern, NY, where -20 F winter nights are not uncommon. The heating season starts the first part of October and lasts to the middle of May. We have installed fibergalss insulation in the walls of a new house. The insulation has asphalt-inpregnated kraft paper backing. I plnanned on a layer of 6 mil polyethylene being placed on top of the kraft paper, between the kraft paper and the drywall. Several contractors have advised against this claiming that moisture will get trapped between the kraft paper and the plastic. What is your advice?
COMMUNITY FORUM
From your description you are in a Cold climate.
http://www.buildingscience.com/designsthatwork/hygro-thermal.htm
http://www.buildingscience.com/designsthatwork/cold/default.htm
http://www.buildingscience.com/designsthatwork/hygro-thermal.htm
http://www.buildingscience.com/designsthatwork/cold/default.htm
Your inquiry about vapor barriers was so smilar to my delema, I am watching to see what sort of response you get. I could just use your description of climate (Although, our location is Anchoragae, AK.) and continue with the fact that I am specifically finsihing the inside of a heated, detached garage. I have the same question. Do I need a vapor barrier and where does it go? We planned to put up sheets of fiberglass insulation between the studs and cover that with drywall. I do not want to do the drywalling until I know if I need to add some kind of vapor barrier.
Another question is what are the inch or so in diameter holes spaced regularly along the top of the wall just under the eves? Do those get covered up with the insultaion and drywall or do I need to do more with that area? Should there be screening put in before the insulation?
If someone responds to your question, maybe they can shed some light for me as well.
JC
Another question is what are the inch or so in diameter holes spaced regularly along the top of the wall just under the eves? Do those get covered up with the insultaion and drywall or do I need to do more with that area? Should there be screening put in before the insulation?
If someone responds to your question, maybe they can shed some light for me as well.
JC
