Vapour barrier material is most often used in damp and warm rooms. This applies to heated basements and baths.
Need to use
These materials are used in rooms that are located below ground level, as well as in those that are especially susceptible to dampness. Inside such rooms there is an abundant formation of steam, which is warm air with water particles. For such conditions, ways for the exit of moisture from the room are necessary. These paths become the ceiling and walls. Vaporization is a process that has a detrimental effect on building structures and materials. Its impact causes the destruction of the structure. In order to prevent such phenomena, a vapor barrier layer is being installed, for which various materials can be used.
Materials for vapor barrier
Vapour barrier material should not have the qualities of a complete vapor barrier. Modern membrane-type materials are capable ofprovide some air flow. This guarantees the absence of the so-called greenhouse effect. Excess moisture is retained by this material, while the air released from it is no longer capable of harming wall materials.
Variety of vapor barrier materials and reviews about them
If you decide to choose a vapor barrier material, then you should use consumer reviews. Most often today they choose the traditional material for this, which is polyethylene. When installing it, care must be taken, as strong tension can damage the film. With its tension on the film, when the material is affected by temperature variations during the change of seasons, the risk of damage to the film increases significantly. But this is not the only drawback of the material.
According to home craftsmen, if non-perforated polyethylene is used, it will not let in steam or air. This means that it will be impossible to create a comfortable microclimate using such material. That is why it is not used for vapor barrier. Some consumers, choosing a vapor barrier material, purchase a plastic film, which they then try to perforate on their own. They do this with the help of a roller, in which nails or other sharp elements are first driven in. Such modernization of polyethylene will not be able to provide vapor barrier of the heat-insulating system and building structures. Membrane materials have similarwith polyethylene film quality, but radically different multilayer structure.
Mastics
When vapor barrier materials are selected for walls, some home craftsmen purchase mastics specially designed for this purpose. If you apply a similar mixture to the surface of the ceiling or wall, then it will pass air through itself and retain moisture. Such mixtures are used for surface treatment until the laying or installation of the finishing decorative layer.
Membrane films and expert advice
Vapor barrier materials for roofing are on sale. Membrane films can be distinguished among them. Such materials are used as a vapor-permeable roofing waterproofing. In addition to its main functions, according to experts, such a vapor barrier is able to insulate the room. It perfectly protects from snow, rain, dust and soot. Apply it if necessary to protect the structure from the effects of wind. Experts recommend it as a material with excellent vapor permeability.
Membranes can be called universal materials, this indicates that they can be used with any insulation materials. Quite often, such hydro-, vapor barrier materials consist of three layers. Each of them provides strength, insulating qualities and protection from negative influences. To lay a layer of such a membrane, on the advice of experienced builders, you candirectly on the thermal insulation or other base that covers the supporting structure of the roof. Such a membrane layer is versatile, since, if necessary, it can be used for external insulation of vertical walls of buildings for any purpose.
Varieties of roll vapor barrier
If you choose vapor barrier materials, the price of them should interest you. It will depend on the variety and manufacturer. If we talk about glassine, which was previously used as a vapor barrier, then its price is 100 rubles per 1 roll. Currently, professional builders and private craftsmen use not only it, but also more modern materials. Among them, single-layer films can be distinguished, based on low-density polyethylene. This material has a rather loose structure and has defects.
Reinforced polyethylene films can also be distinguished, which are also supplied in rolls with a thickness of 50 microns. Bag fabrics are used today in the construction of a cold roof, despite the fact that they do not have such impressive vapor barrier qualities.
There are also combined materials on sale, the vapor permeability of which can vary from 15 to 25 grams per square meter per day. Such material can only be used for the installation of cold roofs, since it does not have the necessary vapor barrier properties. If you are interested in vapor barrier materials for the ceiling of the bath, then you can choose aluminum or any othermetal foil. The vapor permeability of this material is zero, which is why it is used for finishing steam rooms.
Conclusion
In construction stores today you can find vapor barrier materials in a large assortment, among them there are film foils that have a combined structure. According to the builders, they should be used in rooms whose conditions are characterized by a high level of humidity and normal temperature conditions. This applies to swimming pools, saunas and showers. Consumers also respond positively to cardboard, which is laminated on one side with polyethylene. It is used for vapor barrier of rooms in which cyclic heating is connected. The vapor permeability index of such cardboard is equal to the limit of 3 to 5 grams per square meter per day.
