Small Cabin

Small Cabin Forum
 - Forums - Register/Sign Up - Reply - Search - Statistics -

Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Newbie Question: Why a vapor barrier?
Author Message
fthurber
Member
# Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:12pm
Reply 


I wonder why everyone seems to use a vapor barrier. Wouldn't that prevent a cabin from breathing and lead to a build-up of moisture or even formaldehyde?

Is it to stop drafts of cold air? Is it thought that cold air would cause interior moisture to condense? Old houses did not have vapor barriers and they seemed to last but I suppose they can be drafty.

I was talking to a friend of mine who builds wooden boats on Martha's Vineyard; he did not understand why the vapor barrier was on the outside of the house. Why not put it on inside instead; just inside the interior paneling he asked?

Interesting idea and it would prevent off-gassing from plywood / OSB from entering the house.

CabinBuilder
Admin
# Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:42am
Reply 


FYI: Here is an older thread on vapor barriers.

Your reply
Bold Style  Italic Style  Underlined Style  Thumbnail Image Link  Large Image Link  URL Link           :) ;) :-( :confused: More smilies...

» Username  » Password 
Only registered users can post here. Please enter your login/password details before posting a message, or register here first.