ARE 5.0 - Vapor Barrier Locations

ARE 5.0 considerations for placing your vapor barrier and what happens if you put it in the wrong place, or forget it. Starts slow, gets better!
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[@vincentlee7402]

came for the ARE prep, stayed for the trio. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@somsanshuntingdogs4045]

Love the Jams at the end man!!

[@nicholascivitano608]

FYI, on question 9.. In Hawaii it is very common to install Tyvek building wrap as a way to prevent air and moisture from passing through to the wall cavity but allows water vapor to pass back and forth. This is one of those instances where the AREs use "typical" information which does not apply to many places. In other words, because Hawaii has a climate which is both hot and humid and can also be more mild and in some places even cold we almost never use a real vapor barrier or retardant and instead use building paper, building wrap etc. So really my comment is more to say as far as your "constructability" comment about placing a sheet membrane on top of studs it is common in Hawaii as the Wall for less expensive homes is detailed frequently as Siding>Building Wrap>Studs with insulation> drywall. Thanks for the video, helpful for the ARE studying!

[@HyperfineArchitecture]

Nicholas, thanks for the info! I agree, I think we all find areas where we know "too much" for the ARE and you have to think about the most basic, simple method. Not what happens in the real world, but what happens in Graphic Standards or the A201 or AHPP. I think the only bad thing about living in Hawaii is you probably don't get to use your experience on the ARE!

[@bradmalouf5235]

Alkaline Trio - YES!

[@HyperfineArchitecture]

So catchy!

[@carloseperezortiz]

Thank you for this concise explanation, but I'm still confused. Based on your explanation of the perfect wall, for both cold and hot climates, it is better to place the vapor barrier between the cmu and the rigid insulation? It is not better to place the vapor barrier on the outside face of the insulation in hot climates (the warm side)?

[@elizabethbecerra7165]

My same question. I'm still confused.

[@HyperfineArchitecture]

Vapor barrier would still go outside the CMU, but before the insulation. Read straight from the godfather himself: www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-001-the-perfect-wall Or watch the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DRmKCYdrOYhck

[@cv6717]

Can vapour barrier be placed over 50mm cellulose as its hydroscopic but close to warm side of insulation? Its a loft.

[@HyperfineArchitecture]

I think a loft means different things to us, but the general consensus is you do not need an additional vapor barrier with cellulose insulation.

[@drchamp1902]

In SW Florida, all of the new residential SF housing construction is done using CMU on the outside, 3/4 rigid insulation with foil on inside, 3/4 furring strips on top of the insulation then drywall. Do you recommend that for a hot and humid climate? Are there better options? Thanks

[@HyperfineArchitecture]

Hey Alan, sorry for the delayed response, didn't see this comment. So the wall assembly you mention seems backwards to me and I have trouble picturing how you waterproof the assembly where the 2nd or 3rd floor meet the exterior wall. BUT, I am far from an expert in this stuff and I don't work in Florida. I always refer people to Building Science Corporation (Joe Lstiburek) and also a really great Instagram called Building Science Fight Club (by Joe's daughter).

[@igorbt6706]

Still the new wood framing houses in SFuses Tyvek wrap outside.