Vapor Barrier: Do I really have to install plastic?
Many people have seen plastic (poly) installed on the inside of walls or a faced paper insulation batt to meet vapor barrier requirements. Plastic installation is pretty straight forward in that it's installed on the inside of an exterior wall and should be free from holes or cuts.
As an inspector, I run into issues when a homeowner uses faced batts for their vapor barrier but leave gaps, holes and missing vapor protection. Faced batt insulation can become more work than you might expect trying to get a nice clean vapor barrier. In these situations, I will typically suggest a plastic or a PVA. Check to see if your local building department will accept a PVA (Primer Vapor Application) in lieu of a plastic or faced batt. For those of you who would prefer that your wall breathe, it may be the way to go.
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