To ensure reliable protection of the ceiling from moisture, hydro and vapor barrier must be made. The first material protects against moisture in liquid form, and the second does not allow steam to destroy structures. Vapor barrier for a ceiling with a wooden floor is especially relevant when it is planned to be insulated, that is, in the thickness of the structure there is a transition between positive and negative temperature (condensation point).
Where to lay insulation
This question is very important, because if you put the material in the wrong place, it will not work or will be, but it’s wrong. It is important to remember one rule: vapor barrier is always laid on the side of warm air, and waterproofing on the side of cold. Typically, these materials work together, providing reliable protection of the floor in the house from any kind of moisture.
Thus, it turns out that the vapor barrier of the wooden floor of the first floor should be carried out after the installation of the heat-insulating material, and the protection against moisture in the air for floors or attic is laid down.
If you lay the material correctly, then you can not worry about the safety of structures.
Vapor barrier functions
Vapor barrier when attaching to a ceiling or floor structure in a house fulfills not only the above purpose. Laying the material allows us to talk about the following:
- the ceiling structure, in addition to protection from moisture, receives protection from most types of organic damage (mold, rot, fungus), which require warm and humid conditions for reproduction;
- laying the film in the basement floor, attic or in interfloor structures can significantly increase the service life of wood, reduce the frequency of repairs (significant savings during operation);
- modern materials can create additional protection for the ceiling in case of fire and increase its fire resistance, which is important for people in the house to evacuate;
- laying a material that has a good service life is a single event, most often replacement of vapor barrier is not required, the layer does not fail.
Vapor barrier options for the ceiling
Reliable vapor barrier can eliminate many problems with ceilings and roofing. The choice of material in a private house depends on the financial capabilities and wishes of the future owner. Previously, as a vapor barrier, almost everywhere a plastic film was used, but it is not able to fully perform both functions when laying in the ceiling.
It is better to give preference to more modern materials that guarantee high quality protection of the ceiling and ceilings in the house. There are several forms of release of materials. The following types of mastics for coating constructions are presented on the market:
- cold asphalt;
- hot based on bitumen;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- bitumen-based lingo-sulfonate;
- rubber;
- bitumen based kukersolnye.
Processing the ceiling in the house with such materials is complicated by the fact that the hydro-vapor barrier of the ceilings is applied to a horizontal surface located above the height of a person. The worker will have to be constantly with his head up. Such working conditions significantly reduce quality. To ensure reliable protection, it is recommended to consider an option such as vapor barrier membranes (not to be confused with vapor diffusion membranes, which act as hydroprotection and release water vapor outside).
The following types of materials can be attributed to modern membranes to protect the ceiling and ceilings in the house:
- Variable vapor transmission membranes. They can work to prevent the passage of moist air in both directions. Such a hydro-vapor barrier of the ceilings will allow you not to worry when the humidity regime in the room changes, the film will be able to adjust to it independently.
- Limited vapor permeability membranes. Their ability to remove moisture is strictly regulated and depends on the choice of material. They are configured to remove excess moisture from the volume of the room.
- Membranes with aluminum foil. The use of such materials will ensure a high degree of protection of the supporting structures of the house from steam. In addition to moisture removal, such hydro-vapor barrier allows you to keep heat indoors. It is reflected from the foil surface and does not leave the volume of the room. Especially this property is relevant in the repair and construction of baths, bathrooms and other rooms in which it is required to maintain high air temperature.
Features vapor barrier ceiling made of wood
Installation of any material is quite simple. Due to the variety, it is difficult to cite one universal method. Most often, the manufacturer indicates the exact recommendations for the use of its material and the requirements for the performance of work.
Manufacturers most often produce both hydro and steam protection. It is best to choose two films (vapor barrier and waterproof) from one company to isolate the insulation and wood from moisture. This will allow us to talk about reliable protection and compliance with the technology.
Regarding the fixing of the material indoors (and it is always fastened precisely from the inside, protecting the elements from the warm air of the room, regardless of which construction is being finished), the following recommendations can be given to home masters:
- Do not forget about the multilayer design of the ceiling. If we list the layers fixed from the bottom up, we get the following sequence: lining, vapor barrier, floor frame, insulation, waterproofing, floor construction. This order is suitable for interfloor and attic floors. When laying the material from the attic side, the location of the vapor barrier, insulation and waterproofing relative to each other does not change.
- Before laying the material, surface priming is required with compositions that include antiseptic components.
- The subsequent layers can only be fixed after the primer has completely dried.
- The vapor barrier must go at least 20 cm on the wall. It is also necessary to ensure overlap of the material webs (at least 10 cm) and sizing of the joints and attaching to the frame with tape.
- On top of the vapor barrier, a crate is mounted on which the ceiling lining will be mounted. The lathing can be both wooden, and from a metal profile.