Plastic Vapor Barrier Basement Walls
Basement remodeling ideas from tv.
Plastic vapor barrier basement walls. Building codes usually require a vapor barrier 4 mil plastic sheeting on exterior basement walls if the framing is attached to masonry or concrete surfaces or if the wood framing butts up against the outer basement walls. The material is stapled to the frame of a basement wall before it is finished with plaster or drywall. 1 on the interior wall between the heated and unheated portion of the basement i would not use with a vapor barrier. If water vapor diffuses or infiltrates into the wall cavity and finds the cool surface moisture problems can occur.
The cool surface is the sheathing assuming no exterior insulation. You should then use fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier between the studs with the vapor barrier facing in toward the living space. The main concerns are condensation and drying potential. 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.
Polyurethane sheeting is a typical vapor barrier that contractors use to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls of a basement. In exterior walls that are below grade like basement walls. Plastic on the outer surface of a wall in cold weather could cause problems. In very cold climates the use of polyethylene plastic vapor barriers between insulation and interior wallboard may be beneficial provided all air gaps into any wall and ceiling cavities are also blocked.
The humid air is indoors. A vapor barrier is also helpful to keeping a basement insulated and warm. Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets. The standard installation of a plastic vapor barrier is between the studs and the drywall but there are some exceptions to this.
The construction of the wall for instance is vital to the use of a vapor barrier. In winter the dew point of the interior air is typically about 50 f assuming an air temperature of 70 f and a relative humidity of 50. When the mold grows it will spread to everything around it studs drywall etc.