Can I use plastic instead of Tyvek?

You can use plastic if you put polyethylene between your drywall and the wall studs. This way, you should get a tighter wall without trapping moisture inside the exterior walls. If you are framing out a below-grade basement, however, do not use plastic as a vapor barrier.

What can you use instead of Tyvek?

Can I use plastic sheeting as a vapor barrier?

Reinforced polyethylene plastic sheeting (poly) comes in a variety of thicknesses and strengths. A 6 mil thick poly is commonly used as a vapor barrier and offers short-term savings to the homeowner.

Is it OK to cover insulation with plastic?

Plastic isn't recommended in this situation because it would create a second vapor barrier that can trap moisture and result in condensation and mold. Craft paper would have the same problem, this is what is most likely on the other side of the insulation for the vapor barrier you want.

What can I use for house wrap?

Asphalt felt (tar paper)—The standard requirement is Type 1 felt meeting ASTM D 226 standards. Grade D building paper—Made of asphalt-impregnated kraft paper, this house wrap is commonly used under stucco siding. Polyolefin fabric—"Plastic" house wraps typically are made of woven polyethylene or polypropylene fibers.

Housewrap Testing - "Orange Box" House Brand vs Tyvek

Do you have to put Tyvek under siding?

There are no specific laws or building codes requiring homeowners to install house wrap behind siding. So, in a way, you can get away with not wrapping your house in a protective waterproof barrier.

Is house wrap necessary?

While it may seem like an unnecessary and time-consuming addition to your home, the house wrap is actually a necessary component for every American home, no matter the climate of your area. This is because house wrap can provide an effective moisture barrier for your home.

How can I cover insulation cheaply?

Can you use 4 mil plastic for vapor barrier?

OVERVIEW. Our 4-mil plastic sheeting is a multipurpose film perfect for a wide variety of construction or DIY projects. This medium-duty plastic sheeting is commonly used as a vapor barrier in between insulation and drywall, used as a drop cloth or a temporary cover for equipment and supplies.

What can you put over insulation?

After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder, sometimes called a vapor barrier, if you need one. Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall, ceiling or floor during the cold winter.

Why are houses wrapped in plastic?

Housewrap (or house wrap) generally denotes a synthetic material used to protect buildings. Housewrap functions as a weather-resistant barrier, preventing rain from getting into the wall assembly while allowing water vapor to pass to the exterior.

Can you use tar paper instead of Tyvek?

Both Tyvek and tar paper make great water barrier options, but they have advantages and disadvantages that set them apart from each other. Tyvek offers more permeability but less longevity, and you find it near the exterior siding. Tar paper withstands high moisture levels, but it can crack in freezing temperatures.

Do you need to tape Tyvek seams?

The manufacturer recommends only taping the Tyvek HomeWrap seams.

Is barricade as good as Tyvek?

Durability: Barricade house wrap has been found to have a much higher tensile strength compared to Tyvek, which makes Barricade more capable of stretching before it eventually tears. Barricade also has a rated UV resistance of up to 12 months whereas Tyvek is not recommended to be used under direct UV exposure.

Which house wrap is best?

Originally, asphalt-laden felt paper was thought to be the best type of house wrap on the market. In fact, it's still available, along with other house wrap solutions. However, Dupont's Tyvek HomeWrap® is considered by most in the building profession to be the industry leader.

What thickness of plastic do you need for a vapor barrier?

Vapor barriers should be at least 6 mil in thickness to effectively cover the area and create a moisture barrier. Triangle Crawl Space Solutions uses both a 6 mil material for simple vapor barrier installation and a thicker more durable 12 mil vapor barrier material depending on the budget and needs of the home.

Is painters plastic a vapor barrier?

Plastic, specifically 6-mil polyethylene plastic, is the most commonly used vapor barrier. Plastic has a very low permeability rating, which means water, in its gaseous or liquid state, does not travel through it.

Should vapor barrier be clear or black?

Black barriers are more effective at stopping moisture evaporation, compared with the clear barrier. The black color hinders the growth of plant seeds that may reside beneath a home's crawlspace. Plants naturally send moisture into the air, creating more moisture.

How do I temporarily cover insulation?

just use drywall (not much more expensive, also meets code, and could still be used when we eventually install electrical and finish the basement?) kraft paper. painter's tarps or cheap drapes/tablecloths (but the plastic blocks water vapor, which could lead to water/mold damage to the wall?)

Can you put a plastic vapor barrier over faced insulation?

No, you should not do this. As mentioned above, faced insulation that has a vapor barrier can easily trap moisture. If you put another faced insulation on top of face insulation, a significant amount of moisture can form inside your insulation and in your walls to damage them.

How can I cover my basement ceiling cheaply?

A super easy DIY option for your basement ceiling is glue-on tiles. Typically made of polystyrene or fiberboard, these tiles come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles, and are also paintable. You'll need to install a foundation, like plywood, to glue them to. But after that, it's as simple as glue and stick.

Is it OK to staple Tyvek?

When staples without caps are used to temporarily fasten DuPont^™ Tyvek^® WRBs, no more than 4 staples per square yard should be installed. All staples should be sealed with DuPont^™ Tyvek^® Tape when the DuPont^™ Tyvek^® WRB is being installed for air barrier and high performance applications.

What type of sheathing is used for exterior walls?

Plywood and OSB are largely considered the best wall sheathing choices because of their overall abilities to hold fasteners well, create a strong bond between studs, and provide some thermal advantages. The “big two” aren't the only selections available however. Structural fiberboard is one such option.

Do you need house wrap with foam board?

One of the biggest questions homeowners have about house wrap is whether it can be installed together with foam insulation. The answer, happily, is yes. In fact, the two products combined make your home super-insulated from outside wind and weather.