What kind of plastic do you use for 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.

What plastic should I use for 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.

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.

Can I use 4 mil plastic as a 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.

Can you use black plastic for vapor barrier?

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

Vapor Barriers: Need one or not?

Is there a difference between vapor barrier and plastic sheeting?

In simple terms, a vapor barrier is a material that won't allow moisture to pass through it, such as plastic sheeting. A very simple experiment to show how a vapor barrier works is to lay a plastic garbage bag down on some damp soil.

What kind of plastic goes under a house?

Materials You'll Need

However, for most homeowners sheeting made of polyethylene plastic is the best choice for moisture abatement and storage protection. While some sources may recommend a thickness of six-mil, a thicker grade of material is preferable.

Can I use 3 mil plastic for vapor barrier?

Barricade's 3-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 is thicker 4 mil or 6 mil plastic?

Four (4) mil plastic sheeting is about as thick as a piece of paper. Six (6) mil plastic sheeting is what your trashbags are made from in your kitchen. Ten (10) mil plastic sheeting is what your business card is often made from. Fifty (50) mil is the thickness of a dime.

Should I staple vapor barrier?

Tug and smooth the vapor barrier to ensure a completely smooth surface lacking wrinkles or gaps through which moisture and air may escape, defeating the vapor barrier's purpose. Staple through the plastic into the sole plate -- the horizontal board running under the studs – at bottom.

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.

Can you use a tarp as a vapor barrier?

Lay a heavy plastic tarp -- 6 mil or thicker -- over the entire area. If you must use multiple sheets, overlap them by at least 2 feet. Use stones to hold the plastic down. The plastic acts as a vapor barrier, eliminating much of the migration of water vapor from the ground to the crawl space.

What is the difference between vapor barrier and moisture barrier?

Moisture barriers function to help in preventing water from entering inside of the wall cavity. On the other hand, vapor barriers basically prevent water vapor from the interior of the house to filter through the wall and condense on the warm side of the insulation.

Is 6 mil plastic sheeting waterproof?

Some common applications for this product include using it as a vapor barrier for concrete or between drywall and insulation. They also can be used to cover a crawl space or under wood floors. Plastic sheeting is waterproof.

Is Tyvek a vapor barrier?

Is DuPont^™ Tyvek^® a vapor barrier? No, DuPont^™ Tyvek^® is not a vapor barrier. It is made with unique material science to keep air and bulk water out while allowing moisture vapor inside walls to escape.

Do vapor barriers cause mold?

The Problem With Vapor Barriers

This can lead to significant moisture problems and mold; problems occur when walls get wet during construction or more often throughout the home's life.

What is thicker 10 mil or 16 mil?

The bigger the number the thicker the plastic. Plastic sheeting comes in ranges from 1 mil to 100 mils! A "mil" A mil is a measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. Most human hair is one-thousandth of inch, or 0.001 inch.

What is 6 mil poly vapor barrier?

6-mil Super Clear Polyethylene Vapour Barrier is the only poly film which is 6 mil in thickness and the only poly film that can be used as a vapour barrier to cover insulation in exterior walls in the new home and building construction and is also specified as the vapour barrier in slab on grade applications.

What does mil mean in plastic sheeting?

A mil is a thousandth of an inch. Generally, measurements of less than 1/8 of an inch are too small to see, but often we can feel them. California has set the legal standard for a plastic film bag at 2.25 mil.

Is 6 mil poly a Class 1 vapor retarder?

6 mil Construction/Agricultural Grade Polyethylene does not pass any level of the ASTM E1745 Classifications for underslab vapor retarders in contact with soil or granular fill.

Should you put plastic between insulation and drywall?

Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage.

What can I use for moisture barrier under my house?

A vapor barrier is a thick plastic sheet that is laid throughout the crawlspace of the home. They come in a variety of thicknesses, but most people agree that 6 mil is the way to go. The plastic keeps moisture from coming up underneath the ground and getting into the area underneath your home.

Should crawl space be covered in plastic?

A: The plastic cover or vapor barrier is definitely needed, especially in a dirt-floor crawl space. Without a vapor barrier, moisture will migrate to the surface of the soil and eventually cause serious problems in the crawl space, including mold and possibly structural rot. The plastic should cover the entire floor.

Does mold grow under crawl space vapor barrier?

Moisture from the ground and from crawl space vents combine to create all sorts of problems under your home. This moisture can create mold, mildew, dry rot and allows insects and other pests to thrive. A vapor barrier is key step to reducing this moisture.