Structure of an exterior wall
The vapor barrier is the next stop in the interior of our cabin on the Upper Sunshine Coast. But before I briefly explain why and why one needs such a thing, we should take a look at how such an exterior wall is constructed in our cabin.
Very roughly speaking, an exterior wall consists of the following "layers". The order corresponds to the sequence of layers from the inside to the outside:
- Interior cladding
- Vapor barrier
- Framing with thermal insulation
- Tyvek
- Exterior cladding
Interior cladding
The Wall cladding inside the cabin is the visible layer. First and foremost, this cladding has an aesthetic function and clearly determines the appearance of the cabin. In addition, it can also serve practical functions. It can serve to conceal imperfections in the wall structure or protect it from damage.
Vapor barrier
The vapor barrier is that layer which prevents the penetration of water vapor into the walls, ceilings and floors. It acts as a barrier that prevents water vapor from penetrating into the building components and causing possible moisture damage. The vapor barrier is placed on the warm side of the thermal insulation, i.e. on the inside of the building.
Framing with thermal insulation
The framework is the wooden structure that stabilizes and supports our Cabin. It consists of wooden beams and forms the "skeleton" of the Cabin. The framework supports and distributes the loads of the building, including its own weight, the people and objects inside, and external loads such as wind and snow.
Thermal insulation is the layer used to reduce heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the Cabin. It plays an important role in the energy efficiency and comfort of the Cabin. It is placed in the cavities of the framework to minimize heat loss in winter and limit heat absorption in summer.
Tyvek
Tyvek is the brand name for a synthetic, high-density polyethylene fiber. Tyvek is often used as a water-repellent, vapor-permeable membrane that serves as an air- and water-tight layer in building envelopes. It provides an effective barrier against water penetration while allowing controlled diffusion of water vapor from inside the building to the outside. Thus, Tyvek helps minimize moisture damage from condensation and leaks.
Exterior cladding
The exterior wall cladding is the outer layer covering the framework of the Cabin. It serves aesthetic and functional purposes. The cladding protects the building from the elements such as rain, wind and sun, and helps to improve thermal insulation and energy efficiency. It is an important layer that contributes to the longevity of the Cabin and will give it its characteristic style and charm.
Function of the vapor barrier
A vapor barrier has the important function of preventing water vapor from penetrating the components of a building envelope. It acts as a barrier, blocking the water vapor that forms in a building due to everyday activities such as cooking, showering, breathing, etc.
The vapor barrier is applied to the warm side of the thermal insulation. So, in our case, on the inside of the outer walls. This way we prevent the water vapor from passing through the walls or ceilings into the cold structure, where it could cool down and cause condensation. This is important because condensation can lead to moisture problems, such as mold growth or rot, which could affect the structure of the Cabin on the one hand and endanger our health on the other.
The vapor barrier helps to improve the energy efficiency of the Cabin. It helps to minimize heat loss and thus also helps to reduce heating/wood costs. Of course, such a vapor barrier must be installed carefully to ensure that all seams and connections are sealed and there are no leaks.
It can be confidently said that the vapor barrier plays a crucial role in protecting the cabin and our health. It is an indispensable component of the building envelope and helps to create a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient living environment.
Installing the vapor barrier
Well, how to install such a vapor barrier? It's actually quite simple, but you have to be a little careful. And you should have the right tools.
Tools
Frugal as we sometimes are, we opted for the manual version of a stapler to start with. A damper is in fact stapled to the wall. This can be done with a conventional office stapler - not recommended - , a professional hand stapler or a stapler powered by compressed air.
The first lines of vapor barrier we processed with the professional hand tacker, which was accompanied by a lot of curses and crooked staples. Then we decided to buy a pneumatic stapler. It costs a measly $50 and is a real game changer.
Select the vapor barrier
Vapor barriers are usually sold as rolls or sheets. These rolls or sheets are available in various widths and lengths to meet the different requirements of construction projects.
When selecting a vapor barrier, it is important to pay attention to the specifications and properties of each product to ensure that it meets the requirements of the construction project. These include water vapor permeability, tear resistance, fire resistance and other important characteristics.
Since the vapor barrier is an essential part of the building insulation, we left the selection to a construction store. The employees there are familiar with our overall construction, as we have bought all building materials from them so far.
How to
In order for the vapor barrier to correctly cover every corner and edge, without leaving gaps, we measure the area to be covered in advance. Then we add just under a foot each in length, so that in any case you have an overlap and in any case not too short, and cut the lines accordingly.
The overlap is important so that the vapor barrier can be easily overlapped and fixed or glued where the wall meets the window frame, ceiling or floor.
Cut into suitable sheets, the huge film is stretched over the framework and fixed on to the individual studs. Fixing is done by means of said staples. The whole thing is done on the walls and ceiling, and in the end it looks like an prepared for bloody carnage.
Lessons Learned
You learn as you go along. After we attached vapor barrier to all walls in our Cabin, we are definitely richer in experience. Three important points:
Stapler
From the beginning, rely on an air-powered tacker and do not work with the hand tacker. The automatic tacker is much more precise and also much easier to handle.
We chose the PT50 Oil-Free Pneumatic Staple Gun from Arrow.
Ceiling
Working upside down is always a challenge. Handling a 12-foot by 8-foot plastic sheet is no exception. It is therefore advisable to do the covering at the same time as the thermal insulation.
Just as we have worked from beam to beam with the thermal insulation, we have also done the same with the vapor barrier. The foil was attached to one beam, the insulation wool was inserted and then the foil was stretched directly over it.
TuktTape
A vapor barrier is only effective if it is tight. It is important that the vapor barrier is carefully installed and that all seams and connections are sealed and there are no leaks.
All open areas must be sealed with tape specially designed for this purpose. Since we worked with the hand tacker at the beginning, some places look like a patchwork quilt.
Sockets etc. in exterior walls
All sockets in exterior walls must be equipped with a sealing frame. They are used to fill the gaps between the socket and the wall, preventing moisture, dust or drafts from entering the cavity. Accordingly, the vapor barrier for these sockets must be fixed with adhesive tape.
That's it again for today and on the subject of vapor barrier. With this, we have come a step further in the interior finishing of our cabin on the Upper Sunshine Coast. The next step is actually the wall cladding. But more about that soon.
Cabin Playlist
Music is Emotion. Music holds Memory. This is the soundtrack for the build of our Cabin at the Upper Sunshine Coast.
So finden wir jederzeit zurück zu den Momenten voller Herausforderung, Freude und Zufriedenheit.
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Cabin-Blog-Zeitleiste
All our posts about RITICOLO Cabin have been organized in this fancy looking timeline. Pretty cool, eh! Have fun looking around and leave a comment if you enjoy what you are reading.
Trees, a Wood Stove, Lumber and Paws
Thermal Insulation and What it Takes to Get There
Roof – The big Finale
Roofing for Dummies
Roofing - shingles or metal roof?
Cabin - New Year Progress
Cabin Timeline
Roofing – Part Two
Roofing - Part One
Gable Walls and LVL
Lofts
Header Beam – Ein dicker Balken, der alles zusammenhält Zum Bau der Außenwände hatten wir…
Things we learned so far
Framing the Cabin
Basecamp
From concrete piers to the finished subfloor
It's amazing what you can accomplish in a few weekends. During the construction of our
Demolition, Homework and some Problems
Progress - Getting Rid of Stuff
First Steps in Lund
On the February long weekend (Family Day), we pack up our MINI and head to our
Lund - The Property
