Open Cell Insulation Vapor Barrier

Spray in insulation and air barrier material.
Open cell insulation vapor barrier. Ft and it s unaffected by water. For example closed cell foam is from class ii and open cell is from class iii. Structural reinforcement able to deflect water and reject bulk water able to accommodate seasonal shifting. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.
Vapor barriers sheets of plastic or kraft paper keep water vapor out of the wall cavity so the insulation stays dry. If there s a roof leak water will pass through the foam and you will quickly be able to find your problem. Closed cell foam insulation is non porous with all of the voids closed to each other which makes it difficult for water vapor and air to pass through it. So if you re considering spraying foam to the roof deck of your new or existing home you want open cell.
In most applications the buildings energy performance will be the same regardless whether you used open or closed cell foam. One manufacturer demilec says its heatlok high lift spray foam has an even higher r value r 7 5 per in closed cell foam is much denser about 2 lb. Open cell needs a class ii vapor retarder old term barrier only in certain climates not all. Many of them don t agree that vapor barriers are so necessary even with open cell foam insulation.
But if foam is open cell that barrier must be applied. Not every wall does. Foam insulation porosity vapor barrier issue. Not every type of insulation needs a vapor barrier.
But if it does the barrier should face inside in northern heating climates and outside in humid southern climates. Vapor barrier vapor permeability. Closed cell foam has a much higher r value than open cell foam about r 6 5 per inch and it s a vapor barrier as well as an air barrier. Scientists still discuss if those methods are efficient.
R value at 1 3 7. Open cell spray foam is not a moisture vapor barrier and will allow moisture to pass. There are three classes of vapor barriers. Open cell foam is not a vapor barrier so it allows the water from the roof leak to weep through the foam to the space below so it is the better choice for most residential applications.
Open cell spray foam closed cell spray foam.