Tyvek Paper: Used on Top of Insulation?

JOHN: Yeah, I was curious. We gutted a house that we’ve been living in because – well, it needed some desperate work. It’s a complete money pit.

TOM: (chuckling) OK.

JOHN: But we’re putting it back together now and we’re putting insulation in the walls and the studs, you know, they range from like 12 inches apart to 20 inches apart.

TOM: OK.

JOHN: You know, just because we’re retrofitting this hundred-year-old house.

TOM: Right.

JOHN: And on your insulation you have your craft paper.

TOM: Yes, mm-hmm.

JOHN: Well, that’s getting all cut up and everything because we’ve got all of these weird cuts and angles and stuff that it has to fit into.

TOM: (overlapping voices) Right. OK. Yeah, so your question is can you restore that or can you put a second moisture barrier?

JOHN: Yeah, that’s what I was wondering. I know – we used Tyvek on the outside – you know, underneath the siding – and I was wondering if I could use that on the inside as the moisture barrier.

TOM: Yeah, you know, I don’t see why not. Typically, people use just viscuine or sheet plastic for that but I don’t see why you couldn’t use a material like Tyvek on the inside. It’s vapor permeable and it will contribute to that vapor barrier.

JOHN: OK. OK.

TOM: So, yeah, it’s fine to do that and, you’re right, it’s very hard to get a really good vapor barrier with the paper surfaces that are attached to the insulation because you really have to have like a perfect insulation. And even if you do have that, you end up with a lot of extra cuts and that sort of thing.

JOHN: Yeah. So …

TOM: So I think that’s an option. And John, if you want more tips on installation of insulation (Leslie chuckles), you can find that at MoneyPit.com. We’ve got a green section on the website with lots of tips on how to insulate your house.

JOHN: Wonderful. Alright.

TOM: Alright?

JOHN: Well, thank you very much.

TOM: You’re welcome, John. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.