Air Barrier vs Vapor Barrier

Do you need an air barrier or a vapor barrier? This is a heavily debated topic in building science. In this post, we’ll outline the basics and put forth our view to help you make an informed decision.

We Recommend a Vapor Open Air Barrier 

First a very basic overview of each type of barrier. A VAPOR barrier is designed to prevent the diffusion of vapor (water molecules in the air) through a home’s wall assembly. Different materials will have different degrees of vapor permeability, that is the material’s ability to allow water vapor to pass through it. Simple physics dictates that moisture flows from an area of higher concentration towards an area of lower concentration of moisture, or from a warmer to a cooler space within a building material. Real-life example: over the course of one heating season a third of a quart of water will diffuse through an 8’ x4’ section of drywall. A vapor barrier is designed to prevent this.

An AIR barrier blocks the flow of air from entering a wall assembly… think airtightness. Using the above example of drywall, 30 quarts of water will move through based just on air leakage (roughly speaking the amount of moisture carried by airflow is 50 to 100 times greater than that carried by vapor diffusion). Hence a commonly accepted maxim in building science – restricting air movement is more important than vapor when it comes to preventing moisture leaking into a wall assembly.

What is a Vapor Open Air Barrier?

Let’s start with a basic premise. Moisture will get into your walls, one way or another. And when it’s in your walls you definitely don’t want to trap it, a risk with an (impermeable) vapor barrier (or retarder). Traditional insulation does not handle moisture well (mold, mildew) so a vapor closed strategy seems sensible but when vapor inevitably finds its way in and can’t escape, bad things happen. Through a myriad of specialized materials and sometimes flawed practices, the building science consensus is now to allow vapor an escape path so assemblies can dry out either inward, outward, or both. Walls don’t need to breathe but they do need to dry.

So we need an air barrier that also allows for moisture management (vapor variable). It should remain tight in winter when humidity in the cavity is low to prevent moisture from entering but also needs to increase permeability in summer to let moisture escape, helping to keep the wall dry. Hence a Vapor Variable Barrier or also referred to as Smart Air Barrier.

Where do I put this Air Barrier?

There are options. An external air barrier is useful in cutting air penetration off at the source – think wind shear. Additionally, an air barrier can be placed inboard of the insulation. An ideal scenario is arguably both; however, from our perspective, it is best to control air on the exterior, put wool in your walls and allow it to do what it does best – manage inevitable moisture.

There are very smart people out there with varying opinions so in the end be diligent, gather multiple opinions and as ever make an informed decision that suits you and your climate best.