Ceiling with Vapor barrier/block between plasterboard and rough boarding against cold attic?

[Lifestyle]

Hi! Here comes my premiere post as a brand new homeowner of a naturally ventilated house built in 1958, where we started renovating the surface layers yesterday on the day of possession. No time to lose

My first question is whether a vapor barrier/brake, air gap, and possibly another layer should be placed between the gypsum boards in the ceiling and the raw wood planks that face the cold attic.
- We have just torn down a stretched fabric ceiling with a 5 cm air gap against the raw wood, which is now to be replaced with gypsum boards.
- Maybe in the future, we will want to insulate the attic

The builder says that neither a vapor brake/barrier nor air gap is needed.

 

[SueCia]

Wouldn't change anything if the house seems fine. (no mold in the attic, for example)

 

[Ludde Jakobsson]

It's difficult to say what is needed at your place with just a picture of your ceiling. Personally, I think a vapor barrier is preferable in older houses. If the attic isn't insulated yet, I would consider placing the vapor barrier on the sheathing in the attic and then placing the insulation on the vapor barrier (if possible). I got this tip from an insulation company when I was re-insulating part of my house. Then, of course, I would ask my carpenter why he thinks it's not needed.

 

[Lifestyle]

Wouldn't change anything if the house seems to be fine. (no mold in the attic, for example)

The house, from what we've seen so far, without having lived in it yet, seems healthy and nice despite, for example, geothermal heating without FTX and/or fan in the attic.

So it might be safest and easiest not to change anything as you say! It doesn't seem to be an exact science, as the answers vary in the different threads one reads.

 

[Lifestyle]

It's hard to say what is needed for you with a picture of your interior ceiling. Personally, I think a vapor barrier is preferable in older houses. If the attic isn't insulated yet, I would consider putting the vapor barrier on the roof decking in the attic and then placing insulation on the vapor barrier (if possible). I got this tip from an insulation company when I was insulating part of my house. Then, of course, I would ask my carpenter why he thinks it's not needed.

Good, then perhaps there is the option (even if the conditions might vary between different houses) to insert it later by placing it on the attic side of the roof decking under the insulation, simply.

Vapor barrier, noting for potential future attic insulation.

Thanks for the input!