We have a house built in 1955 that we are in the process of renovating.
We have taken down the ceiling in what is called the living room on the blueprint.
Then we found what we believe is a vapor barrier, some black plastic that was stapled to the ceiling, not taped at the seams or similar.
We removed it and put up a new vapor barrier in regular transparent plastic and installed battens.
Then when we got to the hallway and kitchen, there was only transparent plastic outside the bathroom and not in the kitchen or hallway.
I have marked in red where it was installed.
We are now thinking it might have been a bad idea to install a vapor barrier if it wasn't there before.
The ceiling and wall history is a bit special as we understand it.
There is no insulation in the attic but there are boards that lie in several layers with air gaps between, the same goes for the walls.
We are planning to install a vapor barrier in the ceiling and extend it 20-25cm down the wall, tape all the seams everywhere and also on the wall, and put new plasterboard on both wall and ceiling.
The house has natural ventilation with only an extractor fan in the laundry room (called storage on the blueprint).
Are we making a mistake if we install a vapor barrier everywhere as we planned?
We have taken down the ceiling in what is called the living room on the blueprint.
Then we found what we believe is a vapor barrier, some black plastic that was stapled to the ceiling, not taped at the seams or similar.
We removed it and put up a new vapor barrier in regular transparent plastic and installed battens.
Then when we got to the hallway and kitchen, there was only transparent plastic outside the bathroom and not in the kitchen or hallway.
I have marked in red where it was installed.
We are now thinking it might have been a bad idea to install a vapor barrier if it wasn't there before.
The ceiling and wall history is a bit special as we understand it.
There is no insulation in the attic but there are boards that lie in several layers with air gaps between, the same goes for the walls.
We are planning to install a vapor barrier in the ceiling and extend it 20-25cm down the wall, tape all the seams everywhere and also on the wall, and put new plasterboard on both wall and ceiling.
The house has natural ventilation with only an extractor fan in the laundry room (called storage on the blueprint).
Are we making a mistake if we install a vapor barrier everywhere as we planned?
Mats-S
Construction veteran
· Sollentuna
· 3 628 posts
Mats-S
Construction veteran
- Sollentuna
- 3,628 posts
Interesting solution for incoming air, I've never seen anything like it before.
I'm not familiar with your construction, but think carefully before you put in plastic everywhere. Maybe you can consult a building expert who can verify whether the plastic is needed or not?
My personal rule of thumb is that if there is any doubt about whether/where/how a vapor barrier (=tight plastic) should be placed, I skip the plastic and use diffusion paper instead, as it cannot create condensation problems like improperly placed plastic can. There are so many old houses that have functioned for decades but were then ruined because they were wrapped in plastic incorrectly, leading to enormous moisture damage over time.A andreasö said:
I'm not familiar with your construction, but think carefully before you put in plastic everywhere. Maybe you can consult a building expert who can verify whether the plastic is needed or not?
Yes, exactly, it doesn't seem to be a common construction at all.
But from what I've heard from older people around here, it was considered a very good construction at the time. Built in the 50s but with a U-value like a house from the 80s, they've said. I have no idea myself.
Right now, it seems like we're leaning towards installing it the same way it was before, but I'm not quite confident in doing it.
We're going to remove the kitchen fan in the kitchen and use a fan in the cooktop, so I imagine there will be more steam than before.
The wall between the kitchen and living room is gone, and where the fridge is marked, a kitchen island with a hob will be installed.
But from what I've heard from older people around here, it was considered a very good construction at the time. Built in the 50s but with a U-value like a house from the 80s, they've said. I have no idea myself.
Right now, it seems like we're leaning towards installing it the same way it was before, but I'm not quite confident in doing it.
We're going to remove the kitchen fan in the kitchen and use a fan in the cooktop, so I imagine there will be more steam than before.
The wall between the kitchen and living room is gone, and where the fridge is marked, a kitchen island with a hob will be installed.