Does Attic Insulation Need A Vapor Barrier

Not every wall does.

Does attic insulation need a vapor barrier.

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. You do not need a vapor barrier. The following are a few simple steps to help you undertake the task properly so your vapor barrier retains heat without damaging the insulation. This acts as a barrier to keep heated moist air from rising up into the attic during cold weather.

The best approach for a vented attic in a cold climate is installing a layer of drywall with a good coat of latex paint the paint creates a semi permeable vapor barrier. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate your home and the location of the wall you re insulating. A plastic vapor barrier is best installed in a vented attic within climates with over 8 000 heating degree days. 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.

Since you already have insulation if there was a moisture problem you probably would have noticed signs of it already. Adding a second vapor barrier could cause condensation to become trapped in the insulation between the two vapor barriers. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. Several layers of paint on the ceiling would qualify as a vapor barrier.

Attic insulation should always be installed with the paper backing facing toward the living space the ceiling in this case.