The placement of a water vapor retarder directly below concrete floor slabs on the ground has become common practice for buildings where floor coverings or coatings are to be installed. Such use has ...

Question: I am having a house built partially on a slab and on a crawl space. Is it necessary to install a vapor barrier under the concrete, and is this something I can do myself to save some money?

Improper use of vapor barriers is one of the leading causes of moisture-related issues in buildings today. Vapor barriers, or vapor retarders, are designed to prevent wall assemblies from getting wet.

Most building materials are permeable to moisture. Increasingly, buildings are being built more tightly, which adds to the need for moisture control. Porous materials that become saturated with ...

Q: I'm flummoxed. I've seen videos and read online articles about needing a vapor barrier in the walls of my home and possibly under concrete slabs. My builder says these things are a waste of money.

Many homes and additions are built over a crawl space to save time and money. Unlike traditional basements, crawl spaces are often only a few feet tall, built above grade, and many are unfinished with ...

Dear James: I am having a house built partially on a slab and on a crawl space. Is it necessary to install a vapor barrier under the concrete, and is this something I can do myself to save some money?