A vapor barrier basically helps to prevent moisture from entering your home through the ceiling floor or the walls.
Attic insulation vapour barrier.
Most forms of attic insulation benefit from the addition of a vapor barrier to protect them from the harmful effects of moisture which can reduce their effectiveness over time.
However all attics vented or unvented and in all climates should have an air barrier such as an airtight drywall ceiling.
In hot dry climates your attic can be vented though like in hot humid climates you should not install any vapor retarder or barrier.
Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.
This acts as a barrier to keep heated moist air from rising up into the attic during cold weather.
Adding a second vapor barrier could cause condensation to become trapped in the insulation between the two vapor barriers.
It is a known fact that moisture in the air can trigger certain disorders and aggravate particular medical conditions such as hay fever asthma etc.
The insulation fiberglass or cellulose is then placed on top of the drywall with no vapor barrier above or below.
The following are a few simple steps to help you undertake the task properly so your vapor barrier retains heat without damaging the insulation.
Attic insulation should always be installed with the paper backing facing toward the living space the ceiling in this case.