Adding a vapor barrier in the basement along with the insulation is a good and practical way to prevent heat loss.
Basement ceiling insulation vapor barrier.
As we have established the kind of insulation you d need to install in your basement ceiling is dependent on the conditions you re dealing with.
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.
A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
Ceiling insulation is important in any basement as it is a location of the home where you lose the most heat.
To know if you need a vapor retarder ask yourself a few basic questions.
It will also prevent mold and mildew from becoming a potential threat by protecting the insulation.
A vapor barrier or vapor retardant covering protects your insulation from the moisture for which basements are so well known.
This in turn protects your ceiling and joists from mold mildew and rot.
The vapor barrier is sealed to the concrete wall at the bottom with some sort of seal and nailed directly to the concrete.
The builder insulated the upper 4ft of the basement wall with a pink batt style insulation which is held to the wall with a vapor barrier.
A vapor barrier is usually a membrane or coating applied to the insulation.
Most basements have the issue of moisture seeping in through the walls and climbing up into the home.