Do I Need Attic Vapor Barrier In Sc

You have loose fill insulation in the attic which doesn t have a vapor barrier.

Do i need attic vapor barrier in sc.

If there does not appear to be a vapor barrier you might consider painting the interior ceilings with vapor barrier paint. While you are inspecting the attic check to see if there is a vapor barrier under the attic insulation. Seal the air leakage pathways. If your current insulation is a cellulose product similar to the greenfiber natural insulation your existing 6 is equal to about a r 19.

The theory is that part of the moisture vapor in the house is actually blocked by the drywall and paint on the. No you don t need a vapor retarder class i or otherwise. Your first job after the studs are in place is to fill those walls with insulation. Because it s nearly impossible to seal penetrations in the ceiling the reality is water vapor will get into the attic.

If you are not sure if you need insulation in your walls follow along with this flow chart. Even though we apply vapor barriers to exterior insulated walls in cold climates it s no longer recommended for ceilings floor of the attic. The vapor barrier might be tarpaper kraft paper attached to fiberglass batts or a plastic sheet. Avoid adding interior vapor barriers where the outer wall construction already includes a material with vapor barrier properties.

If your climate does not meet these conditions a vapor retarder like latex ceiling paint will work well for your house if you are in all other climates except the hot dry and hot humid. Attic insulation and vapor barrier it is not necessary to have a vapor barrier for either greenfiber natural blow in or owens propink blow in insulation except if your local building codes require it. A plastic vapor barrier is best installed in a vented attic within climates with over 8 000 heating degree days. By the time you paint the drywall though you ve brought it into the class iii vapor retarder range between 1 and 10 perms and even less water vapor will diffuse through.

Not every wall does. In areas with high humidity such as greenhouses rooms with spas or swimming pools and bathrooms vapor barriers are often recommended. Attic vapor barrier detail for cold climates. Do not add a vapor barrier on top of the insulation in your attic since the paper facing on the existing insulation is the vapor barrier.