The spring and summer seasons are prime times to check your home for any holes and tears moisture barriers. If you need moisture barriers in your home, look no further! Alamance Insulation and Gutters is here to help! Alamance Insulation and Gutters is a leader in the insulation and home performance industries. Serving customers throughout North Carolina, from Greensboro, Burlington, Elon and Mebane to Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh, we can help with all your insulation and gutter needs.
In construction, the terms “moisture barrier” and “vapor barrier” are often used interchangeably. The purpose of a moisture barrier or vapor barrier is to keep moisture outside your house, whether it’s liquid moisture, such as rain, or water in its vapor form.
There are three classes of moisture barriers and they vary depending on permeability; they’re measured in units of “perm.”
- Class 1 vapor retarders are the vapor barriers with the lowest permeability. These types of vapor barriers include glass, sheet metal, polyethylene sheets, and rubber membranes.
- Class 2 vapor retarders include extruded polystyrene, 30-pound asphalt-coated paper, plywood, and bitumen-coated kraft paper.
- Class 3 vapor retarders include construction materials, such as gypsum board, cellulose insulation, concrete block, house wrap, and board lumber.
Types of Vapor Barriers
In home construction, builders usually use two kinds of vapor barriers: membranes and coatings. Membranes are thin, flexible materials, such as paper-faced fiberglass roll insulation and polyethylene sheeting, that are fastened to the building with sealing applied to the joints. Vapor barrier coatings are applied like paint and may include paint. For example, painted gypsum wallboard may be enough to limit moisture penetration in a mild climate.
To be effective, moisture barriers should be installed with as few gaps between them as possible. If the barrier is torn or punctured during installation, the holes should be sealed to prevent moisture from moving through the barrier.
The best vapor barrier for your home depends on the climate where you live. The climate will also determine the best place to install the vapor barrier, whether at the exterior or interior of the wall cavity. In hot, humid areas, the barrier should be on the exterior of the wall, while in cold climates, it should be on the interior of the wall.
These barriers protect your home from moisture and potential mold build up. If you have questions about moisture barriers, gutters, or insulation or you would like to rely on professionals to do the job for you, call Alamance Insulation and Gutters. We service many areas in North Carolina, including but not limited to Burlington, Greensboro, Elon, Mebane, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. We’re happy to help with all your insulation and gutter needs!