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            DIY Message Boards  Hop To Forum Categories  Home Improvement  Hop To Forums  Remodeling    insulation and Vapor barrier
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        insulation and Vapor barrier
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        thomashenry
        posted
        I have a house in dallas that was built in 1984 by Fox and Jacobs it has a brick exterior and a 1/8 inch thick foil backed piece of sheeting on the outside of the studs and there is a air gap of approx 1/2 inch between it and the bricks and insulation between the studs. In the winter the rooms in the house get very cold and in the summer they get very warm. I am remodeling my kitchen and taking the walls down to the studs, can i or is it wise to put a vapor barrier on the inside over the insulation?
         
        Posts: 26 | Registered: Aug 12, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Jaybee
        Picture of Jaybee
        posted Hide Post
        Not a good idea. That 1/8" foil board acts as a vapor barrier on the outside. If the fiberglass insulation that is already there is faced, then you already have enough of a VB. If you added a solid VB on the interior surface, like a 4 or 6 mil poly sheet, then what you would do is trap any moisture that got through the outside within the cavity of the walls. Not good.

        If you already have full insulation between the studs and the house is still uncomfortable, then you have something else going on. Either somewhere unseen is missing insulation or you do not have enough H/A for the space.


        Jaybee
         
        Posts: 9073 | Location: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 27, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        thomashenry
        posted Hide Post
        thanks Smile i knew you would have the answer
         
        Posts: 26 | Registered: Aug 12, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Sparky617
        posted Hide Post
        How is the attic insulation? Heat rises so more of your heat loss is through the ceiling/attic than walls. Also your attic will be very hot in Dallas so you'll get a lot of radiant heat from the attic in the summer.


        General Disclaimer

        Any advice given here is general in nature and is not necessarily valid for your given area. If in doubt check with your local codes enforcement department for what is required when doing electrical, plumbing or structural work on your house. Permits may or may not be required in your area and home owners may not be able to DIY some tasks. I have no way of knowing if you have the skills needed to complete the tasks you are asking about, when in doubt seek professional assistance.

        My advice may be worth exactly what you pay me for it. :-) For the record I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
         
        Posts: 202 | Location: Cary, NC | Registered: Aug 17, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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