Everyone tries to make their home as comfortable as possible. To protect it from unnecessary moisture and negative consequences, it is worth installing a floor vapor barrier. This has positive aspects - protecting the tree from condensation and the possibility of air circulation. It is believed that such a procedure is needed not only in a wooden house. A number of concrete structures should also be prepared for operation. According to the masters, the whole process is simple, subject to the rules. Therefore, floor vapor barrier will not be a difficult job for a beginner in the construction business.
Material selection
If we turn to the construction processes of the recent past, it becomes clear that the choice of such materials was small - roofing felt and roofing material. It is worth noting that they showed themselves from the good side. Today, the building materials market has expanded, and the functionality of insulation has increased. Many reliably protect all wooden structures from destruction by water and condensate. As a result, the floor lags last longer. In addition, such a floor is very warm, as the reviews say.
Here is the most relevant material:
- Polyethylene film. This isthe most elementary and affordable solution.
- Polypropylene materials. Slightly more expensive, more durable and durable.
- Diffuse membranes. High-quality double-sided material, which is often used in construction.
- Liquid rubber. Expensive material, but extremely reliable.
It will be easy to cope with fastening the first materials. They have the same wiring diagram. Liquid rubber contains bitumen and polymer. As soon as the mass is applied to the surface, it dries and compacts. It turns out reliable protection. It is mainly used on concrete floors. The mass spreads and penetrates into all hard-to-reach places.
Liquid rubber floor vapor barrier
This composition has positive properties. This is protection against moisture and sound penetration.
This rubber is used for concrete and wooden floors. This technique is already known. There are two offers on the market that differ in the way they are applied:
- One of the popular ones is installation using special equipment. The technique is used for areas over one hundred square meters. Used in the construction process of factories, garages, warehouses, etc.
- Automated. This is a quick way to apply the composition. There are already masters in this business who, for a fee, can do work in any building.
Vapor barrier for the floor in a wooden house using liquid rubber is done with a roller or brush. Everyone takes the composition and applies it manually, while working in the house. You must follow the rules. The jar must be open, and the mass -well mixed. Only after that it is applied to the floor area. A big plus is that all the bumps and small recesses are filled. As a result, protection is formed from water from above and steam from below. This ensures complete waterproofing.
Before working with such material, it is worth calculating the required amount. On the banks it is written that one kilogram is enough for one square meter of the floor. In this arrangement, a thickness of slightly more than six millimeters is obtained, but if necessary, the flow rate is increased. Therefore, before starting work, a calculation is performed. Everyone decides what thickness will become protective. When choosing such materials for floor vapor barrier, you should understand that it is not cheap. But mindlessly reducing the thickness is not worth it. Otherwise, there will simply be no effect.
Polyethylene film
Now it's clear why you need a floor vapor barrier (for its safety). One point is to use all the materials correctly. To save money, plastic wrap is used. It has its drawbacks, one of which is low strength. Masters say that if you work with it carefully, then everything will work out. The main thing is not to violate its integrity. Arriving at a hardware store, you can see perforated and non-perforated products. The second option is used more often and is valued more for its persistent qualities and lack of response to mechanical stress. In any case, remember: during installation work, you will have to be careful not to tear the film and not make cracks on the surface.
Polypropylene
This is a high strength material that is great for floor vapor barrier. One side of it contains cellulose fibers, which hold back water droplets. As a result, no steam is generated. It is this side that the material is laid out down. The answer to the question "what kind of vapor barrier is placed on the floor" will be simple. It's just plain polypropylene. It provides maximum protection.
Anti-condensation
Such products began to gain popularity. They not only create protection, but also completely eliminate the collection of steam and moisture under the board. However, such designs are not cheap.
Instructions for use are included with each vapor barrier material. She must be strictly followed. The main point is to correctly lay the sides, since they are different, each has its own protection function.
Installation rules:
- If you use a double-sided film, then it should be laid with the smooth side towards the insulation, and the rough side out.
- Vapour barrier material, which has a special coating on only one side, has this side to the insulation.
- If it is decided to use a foil coating, then it should be laid with the metal surface up.
It's easy to find out, as the manufacturer is trying to inform its customers.
The rules described above do not apply to all floor joist protection materials. Therefore, it is necessary to study the instructions before buying building films. What isfloor vapor barrier? Below is video information with the opinions of specialists directly working in this direction. Armed with knowledge, even a beginner can cope with the task.
Modern Insulation
The use of a diffuse membrane is a new direction in construction work. In this way, the wooden coating is protected. What is this composition? To create the material, non-woven components made of synthetics are used. On sale there are two- and one-sided positions. Everything will depend on the permeability of air masses.
These include the well-known "Izospan". But there are also films of several layers, for maximum protection. The difference is in cost and functionality. Diffuse membranes have their advantages, one of which is durability. Even beginners can cope with the flooring of such a vapor barrier. The protection is maximum and the cost is lower than some other materials.
Classes
There are several models of isospan on the market: S, V, D, DM. What are these letters? To choose the right one, it is worth remembering: they indicate the permeability of steam during the day. "Izospan" DM will be more expensive than another brand, as it is of the highest quality. Before starting work, builders make a detailed calculation. If this is a new house, then it is much easier to understand how much material is needed. When repairing the old one, there are some difficulties.
Will have to overpay, buying material with a margin. It is always necessary to purchase a little more vapor barrier, especially for those who are faced withrepaired for the first time.
How to mount?
The vapor barrier of a wooden floor (or concrete) is carried out in several stages.
- Preparatory work.
- Laying and securing material.
- Finish fixation.
Vapor barrier differs from waterproofing in that each is laid at its own stage of creating the floor. If the house is new, then there will be an order of magnitude less work. After all, the vapor barrier for the floor in a wooden house is laid out on a rough coating, namely on mounted logs.
When the house is in use, there may be various errors and gaps in the floor. They are completely removed. If the surface is too bad, then the whole structure is subject to restoration. After the waterproofing has been applied and dried, logs are laid. It turns out a kind of box with space for insulation material. The tree is treated with an antiseptic. This allows the coating to last longer.
Steps
Creation of the subfloor structure is carried out in several stages:
- Insulation.
- Installation lag.
- Laying vapor barrier material.
By breaking the sequence, the master makes a gross mistake. This will cause the tree to rot quickly. Each action should be performed strictly according to the rules, which requires carefully studying the instructions for any material. If there is no construction experience, you should not rush. It is better to do everything right than to understand in a couple of years that the floor is rotten and the logs have become unusable.
Detailedinstructions
Make a floor or just insulate it without a vapor barrier film will not work. This must be remembered. The first thing to do, as is already clear, is to build a subfloor. After that, a vapor barrier is placed in the gap between the lags. Before laying the film, cut a piece of the required length so that it goes on the vertical surfaces of the wooden beam. The material is gently spread over the surface and aligned as it should be.
The material will need to be fixed. In this case, apply:
- Construction stapler with iron staples.
- Glue with a secure base. It is worth giving preference to high-quality compositions.
- Scotch. It will be required at other stages of mounting the vapor barrier.
Vapor barrier in a wooden house on a rough basis should be applied with sagging, that is, do not stretch the material too much. Masters believe that this condition is necessary, since the installation of insulation can provoke a gap. This cannot be allowed. Any penetration of steam will create conditions for the destruction and decay of the structure.
Then a layer of insulation is laid between the lags. The next step is laying the vapor barrier. It should be placed across the lag.
When working with a wooden floor, the vapor barrier material is cut out with a margin. This is necessary in order to lay it at the overlap joints. Enough 10-15 extra centimeters, after which the sides of the connection are fixed tightly. Suitableconstruction tape, although there is a more modern development (sealing tape). But the most convenient way is a construction stapler. The distance between the brackets should be about 30 centimeters. It is not necessary to measure exactly.
As soon as the vapor barrier film is distributed over the entire area, you can begin to make a top coat. Here are the tools you will need for the job:
- Screwdriver. They will have to work a lot, so it is worth having a spare battery so as not to wait until the device is charged.
- Construction stapler. With it, all work will move faster than with nail stuffing.
- Knife or scissors. Required for cutting a vapor barrier sheet. There is no difference - everyone chooses what is more convenient to work with.
- Measuring tool. Roulette - to measure the desired length. Pencil - to control the distance of the web.
First, the counter-lattice is attached. This is an important structural element that ensures the ventilation of the space and the removal of fumes. The bar is fastened with self-tapping screws in increments of 40 cm. Then a finishing coating is laid on it. As a rule, this is a grooved board, which can serve as a finished floor or serve as the basis for another material.
Conclusion
It's easy to find useful tips and tricks for installing a vapor barrier on your floor. But before work, you need to stock up on an impressive baggage of knowledge. If you know how to choose the material for your building, we can assume that half the work is alreadydone.
