Any condensation on a properly installed continuous plastic vapor barrier will.
Vapour barrier exterior wall.
A continuous plastic vapor barrier prevents condensation from forming on the internal surfaces of the exterior wall.
In hot climates any moisture that condenses on the exterior side of the vapor barrier will be drained to the exterior since the vapor barrier is also a drainage plane.
In any case the vapor barrier must point to the warm side.
A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
A vapor barrier against the concrete surface is generally recommended before wood framing or flooring materials are installed.
Finished basements often receive a vapor barrier layer between the concrete and the floor treatment to prevent damage from heavy rains or other moisture seepage.
When a vapor barrier is on the side of a wall where the dry air is i e outside in winter or inside in summer moisture problems can occur.
This wall assembly will dry from the vapor barrier inwards and will dry from the vapor barrier outwards.
To know if you need a vapor retarder ask yourself a few basic questions.
Frame wall with cavity insulation and brick or stone veneer.
A vapor barrier s job is to keep water vapor in humid air from diffusing through one side of a wall and finding a cool surface inside the wall.
Vapor barriers are sheets of plastic or other material placed on one side of insulation sheets.
This barrier is meant to keep moisture from getting to the insulation in the walls and ceilings and it is required by building codes when insulating most houses.
Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate your home and the location of the wall you re insulating.
Very hot and humid climates may benefit from an exterior vapor barrier that keeps outside humidity from penetrating into walls.