Vapor Barrier Installation Cost Per square foot, expect the crawl space vapor barrier cost to land between $1.35 and $2 per square foot, or a total of between $1,500 and $4,000 for labor and materials.
An average vapor barrier installation costs $2 to $4 per square foot or between $1,200 and $4,000 for materials and labor. *Labor costs to install add $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot on average.
Crawl space encapsulation costs homeowners an average of $5,500 but typically ranges from $1,500–$15,000. See which factors will impact your total cost. Mark Howey is a licensed California building contractor with more than four decades of experience in the construction industry.
Carton board air barrier paper is an excellent alternative to vapor barrier plastic.
Vapor barrier should at a minimum lay over the foundation footing and ideally be secured/sealed to the foundation walls. 3) How long does it take to install a vapor barrier? A typical vapor barrier installation should take a trained professional approximately three hours.
Because a vapor barrier is a low permeable barrier, it keeps moisture from passing through. This is beneficial to keep moisture away from a dry surface but will trap moisture behind it if installed on a water-damaged concrete wall, causing the wall to fail further.
Provided you're not claustrophobic, installing a vapor barrier is a project most homeowners can DIY. You will need to calculate the square footage of your crawl space, so you can buy the appropriate amount of liner.
The Cons of Vapor Barrier Installation
Although vapor barriers aim to prevent moisture from entering the structure, they can also trap moisture inside. If not properly installed or upheld, this could result in the proliferation of mold and other issues related to moisture.
No, DuPont Tyvek is not a vapor barrier. It is breathable, allowing moisture vapor to pass through it.
You can use plastic if you put polyethylene between your drywall and the wall studs. This way, you should get a tighter wall without trapping moisture inside the exterior walls. If you are framing out a below-grade basement, however, do not use plastic as a vapor barrier.
As the saying goes, “It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” That said, coverage varies widely for things like crawl space repair and encapsulation. It depends on your provider and policy, but the general rule of thumb is that if it's preventable, it's not covered.
Crawl space encapsulation has a few negatives worth considering. Initially, the process can be costly and may not fit every budget. Moreover, if not done correctly, it could trap moisture already inside the crawl space, leading to mold growth and wood rot.
Crawl Space Size
Basic crawl space encapsulation costs between $2 and $4 per square foot, while more extensive encapsulations can total between $3 and $10 per square foot. The latter normally involves more substantial cleaning, repairs, and requested features.
Do Use A Black Vapor Barrier vs a Clear Barrier. Black or white vapor barriers are better than clear ones since they absorb heat, which creates a buffer zone between the warm air in your home and the cold air outside. This reduces condensation on surfaces, helping to protect against moisture damage.
Generally, if the crawl space is going to be entered regularly for maintenance, or if items are going to be stored in the crawl space, it is a good idea to get a thicker poly starting at 12 mils. The minimum 6 mil is inadequate if the floor of the crawl space has rocks, roots or concrete chunks.
A high-quality crawl space vapor barrier can be an effective solution for many years, as long as it is not damaged or punctured along the way. Generally, a crawl space vapor barrier that has been correctly installed by a professional and made of high-quality materials can have a lifespan of 20 years or more.
Materials such as rigid foam insulation, reinforced plastics, aluminum, and stainless steel are relatively resistant to water vapor diffusion. These types of vapor retarders are usually mechanically fastened and sealed at the joints.
Both are designed to keep moisture out of your home and can be made from various materials. But there are a few key differences, the most apparent being that moisture barriers are better at keeping out liquids, and vapor barriers are better at keeping out water in its gaseous state.
When staples without caps are used to temporarily fasten DuPont™ Tyvek® WRBs, no more than 4 staples per square yard should be installed. All staples should be sealed with DuPont™ Tyvek® Tape when the DuPont™ Tyvek® WRB is being installed for air barrier and high performance applications.
Vapor barrier installation could cost anywhere from $1,200 to $4,000 on average. This estimate includes materials and labor. A thicker barrier provides more protection for your home. It also costs more to install.
Install a New Vapor Barrier
If your vapor barrier was damaged or not installed correctly, it's important to replace it with a new one. This will help prevent moisture from seeping into your crawl space and creating the perfect environment for mold growth.
As you can see, thicker polyethylene sheets have very low perm ratings under 0.1, making them viable options as vapor barriers if local codes allow it. Thinner sheets or other plastic types may not meet the requirements.
Extend vapor retarder at least 6 inches up walls, columns, and footings. Use physical attachments where practical and necessary for long-term adhesion of vapor barrier to vertical surfaces. Overlap all seams at least 12 inches using a reverse or upslope lapping technique.
Very often, particularly in a below-grade installation on a concrete basement floor, a vapor barrier is recommended in addition to the underlayment. That vapor barrier would go between the subfloor and the underlayment.