Putting Plastic Sheeting Over Insulation

Plastic sheeting can also help turn a crawl space into a usable storage area.

Putting plastic sheeting over insulation.

How to install poly over insulation. If water vapor diffuses or infiltrates into the wall cavity and finds the cool surface moisture problems can occur. After the insulation is installed it is necessary to cover it up with a vapor barrier so the glass fibers are not inhaled. The best vapor barrier to use is roll of plastic sheeting.

Install the plastic sheeting only after the insulation wiring and plumbing have been completed. Most insulation is made of fiberglass and fits into the walls between the studs before drywall is installed. 12 ft x 400 ft clear 0 31 mil plastic sheeting. We use foil faced rigid insulation to keep the space under the house dry.

If you re referring to insulation in an attic you shouldn t put plastic sheeting over the top of it either for the same reason. Plastic on the outside. Plastic on the outer surface of a wall in cold weather could cause problems. The colder the contents the more beads of sweat that form on the sides.

To each is own some believe the plastic works better. The humid air is indoors. Stretch the plastic sheet tightly across the top of the wall and staple it to the studs and plates. This article will show you how to add 6 mil plastic sheeting on the ground and insulate the walls in your crawlspace.

If you want to put something on the bottom of the joists to hold the insulation in place use chicken wire landscape fabric or housewrap so any water vapor from inside the house can escape. Unfaced batt insulation friction fit between studs in walls with poly vapor barrier over walls and ceilings blown in attics with minimum r 40 insulation attention to detail. Picture an ice cold can of soda on a sweltering hot day. The plastic and the insulation will eliminate any moisture problems you have in the crawlspace such as water droplets collecting on the concrete walls.

Soon water pours off the can. If properly done this should not cause a condensation problem in the wall cavity unless you are leaking interior air thru gaps etc. Item 491792 model hslw12 400. Without such a barrier condensation can infiltrate your home s walls and insulation creating a substantial risk of mold and mildew.

More use the plastic these days without paper faced insulation. The cool surface is the sheathing assuming no exterior insulation. In the vapor barrier.