Vapor Barrier For Bathroom Walls

The vapor barrier should be on the inside between the insulation and drywall.

Vapor barrier for bathroom walls.

It s usually a thin layer of plastic that sits between the drywall and the studs. Vapor retarders are there to slow the diffusion of moisture so the building inspector is off base argues senior editor martin holladay. In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier. Between tub and shower sinks and toilet a bathroom has a high potential for water damage not only from leaks of liquid water but also from water vapor that can collect inside exterior walls and condense.

Interior bathroom and kitchen walls for example are areas where there is. The inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot humid climates. A vapor or moisture barrier is a layer of protection that is designed to act as a waterproof shield helping to keep condensation away from wood insulation and other mold prone materials that are located behind the drywall. There is no need to vapor barrier the non exterior walls.