Everyone tries to make their home as comfortable as possible. To protect it from unnecessary humidity and negative consequences, it is worthwhile to install a vapor barrier on the floor. There are positive aspects to this - protecting the tree from condensation and the possibility of circulating air flows. It is believed that not only in a wooden house such a procedure is needed. A number of concrete structures are also worth preparing for operation. According to the masters, the whole process is simple, subject to the rules. Therefore, vapor barrier floors will not be difficult for a beginner in the construction business.
Material selection
If we turn to the construction processes of the recent past, it becomes clear that the choice of such materials was small - only roofing material. It is worth noting that they showed themselves on the good side. Today, the building materials market has expanded, and insulation functionality has increased. Many reliably protect all wooden structures from destruction by water and condensate. As a result, sex lags last longer. In addition, this floor is very warm, as the reviews say.
Here is what material is most relevant:
- Polyethylene film. This is the most basic and affordable solution.
- Polypropylene materials. At a price a little more expensive, in terms of service life and strength - more reliable.
- Diffuse membranes. High-quality double-sided material, which is often used in construction.
- Liquid rubber. Expensive material, but the most reliable.
To cope with the fastening of the first materials will be simple. They have one installation scheme. Liquid rubber incorporates bitumen and polymer. As soon as the mass is applied to the surface, it dries and hardens. It turns out reliable protection. It is mainly used on concrete floors. The mass spreads and penetrates into all inaccessible places.
Liquid rubber floor vapor barrier
Such a composition has positive properties. This is a protection against moisture and sound penetration.
Such rubber is used for concrete and wooden floors. This technique is already known. There are two offers on the market that differ in their application method:
- One of the most popular is installation using special equipment. The technique is used for areas of more than one hundred square meters. Apply in the process of building factories, garages, warehouses, etc.
- Automated. This is a quick way to apply the composition. There are already masters in this matter who, for a fee, can do work in any building.
Vapor barrier for the floor in a wooden house with liquid rubber is carried out with a roller or brush. Each takes the composition and applies it manually, when working in the house. The rules must be followed. The jar should be open, and the mass should be well mixed. Only after this is applied to the floor area. A big plus is that all the bumps and small grooves are filled. As a result, protection is formed from water above and steam from below. This ensures complete waterproofing.
Before working with such material, it is worth calculating the required amount. On the banks it is written that one kilogram is enough for one meter square floor. In this arrangement, the thickness is slightly more than six millimeters, but if necessary, the flow increases. Therefore, before starting work, a calculation is performed. Everyone decides what thickness will be protective. Choosing such materials for vapor barrier floors, it is worthwhile to understand that this is not cheap. But mindlessly reducing the thickness is not worth it. Otherwise, the effect simply will not.
Polyethylene film
Now it’s clear why the vapor barrier of the floor is needed (for its safety). One point is to correctly apply all materials. To save money, a plastic film is used. It has its drawbacks, one of which is low strength. Masters say that if you work with it carefully, then everything will work out. The main thing is not to violate its integrity. Arriving at the hardware store, you can see perforated and non-perforated products. The second option is used more often and is valued more for its persistent qualities and lack of response to mechanical stress. In any case, you should remember: during the installation process, you will have to be careful not to tear the film and make cracks on the surface.
Polypropylene
This is a material with high strength, which is great for vapor barrier floors. One side contains cellulose fibers that hold back water droplets. Due to this, steam is not formed. It is this side that the material is laid down. The answer to the question “what kind of vapor barrier is placed on the floor” will be simple. This is ordinary polypropylene. It provides maximum protection.
Anti-condensation
Such products began to gain popularity. They not only create protection, but also completely exclude the collection of steam and moisture under the board. However, such designs are not cheap.
Instructions for use are attached to each vapor barrier material. She must be strictly followed. The main point is to correctly lay down the parties, since they are different, each has its own protection function.
Installation Rules:
- If you use a double-sided film, then it should be laid with the smooth side to the insulation, and the rough - out.
- The vapor barrier material, which has a special coating on only one side, is placed on this side to the insulation.
- If you decide to use a foil coating, then it should be laid with the metal surface up.
It’s easy to find out, as the manufacturer is trying to inform its customers.
The rules described above do not apply to all materials that protect the floor logs. Therefore, you must study the instructions before buying construction films. What is the vapor barrier of the floor? Below is video information with the views of specialists directly working in this direction. Armed with knowledge, even a beginner can cope with the task.
Modern insulation
The use of a diffuse membrane is a new direction in construction work. In this way, a wooden coating is protected. What is this composition? To create the material used non-woven components from synthetics. There are two- and one-sided positions on sale. Everything will depend on the permeability of air masses.
The well-known Izospan belongs to them. But there are films from several layers, for maximum protection. The difference in cost and functionality. Diffuse membranes have their advantages, one of which is durability. Even beginners can cope with the flooring of such a vapor barrier. Protection is maximum, and the cost is lower than for some other materials.
Classes
There are several isospan models on the market: C, B, D, DM. What are these letters? To choose the right one, it is worth remembering: they indicate the vapor permeability during the day. Izospan DM will be more expensive than another brand, as it is of the highest quality. Before starting work, builders make a detailed calculation. If this is a new home, then understanding how much material is needed is much easier. When repairing an old one, there are minor difficulties.
Have to overpay, buying material with a margin. It is always necessary to purchase a little more vapor barrier, especially for those who are faced with repair for the first time.
How to mount?
Vapor barrier of a wooden floor (or concrete) is carried out in several stages.
- Preparatory work.
- Laying and fixing material.
- Finish fixation.
Vapor barrier differs from waterproofing in that each is laid at its stage of creating the floor. If the house is new, then the work will be much less. After all, vapor barrier for the floor in a wooden house is laid out on the rough coating, namely on the mounted logs.
When the house is in operation, there may be various errors and gaps in the floor. They are completely cleaned. If the surface is too poor, then the entire structure is subject to restoration. After the waterproofing is applied and dried, lags are placed. It turns out a certain box with space for insulation material. The tree is treated with an antiseptic. This allows the coating to extend its life.
Stages
Creating a subfloor structure is carried out in several stages:
- Warming.
- Installation lag.
- Laying vapor barrier material.
By breaking the sequence, the master makes a gross mistake. This will cause the tree to rot quickly. Each action should be carried out strictly according to the rules, for which it is necessary to carefully study the instructions for any material. If there is no construction experience, you should not rush. It is better to do everything as it should, than after a couple of years to understand that the floor is rotten, and the lags are worthless.
detailed instructions
To make a floor or just to insulate it without a vapor barrier film will not work. This must be remembered. The first thing to do, as is already clear, is to build a rough floor. After that, a vapor barrier is placed between the lags. Before laying the film, cut a piece of the required length so that it goes onto the vertical surfaces of the wooden beam. The material gently spreads over the surface and aligns as it should be located.
The material will need to be fixed. In this case, apply:
- Construction stapler with iron brackets.
- Glue with a reliable base. It is worth giving preference to quality compounds.
- Scotch. It will be required at other stages of mounting a vapor barrier.
The vapor barrier in a wooden house on a draft basis must be applied with sagging, that is, do not tighten the material strongly. Masters believe that this condition is necessary, since laying insulation can provoke a gap. This must not be allowed. Any penetration of steam will create conditions for the destruction and decay of the structure.
Then a layer of insulation is laid between the lags. The next stage is the installation of vapor barrier. It should be located across the lag.
When work is carried out with a wooden floor, the material for vapor barrier is cut out with a margin. This is necessary in order to lay it in the lap joints. Enough 10-15 extra centimeters, after which the sides of the connection are fixed hermetically. Construction tape is suitable, although there is a more modern design (sealing tape). But the most convenient way is a construction stapler. The distance between the brackets should be about 30 centimeters. Precisely measure is not necessary.
As soon as the vapor barrier film is spread over the entire area, you can start making the topcoat. Here are the tools you need in your work:
- Screwdriver. They will have to work a lot, so you should have a spare battery, so as not to wait until the device is charging.
- Construction stapler. With it, all work will advance faster than with nailing.
- Knife or scissors. Will be required for cutting a vapor barrier fabric. There is no difference - everyone chooses what is more convenient to work with.
- Tool for measuring. Roulette - to measure the desired length. Pencil - to control the distance of the canvas.
First, the counter-lattice is attached. This is an important structural element that provides ventilation of the space and the removal of fumes. The bar is fastened with self-tapping screws with a pitch of 40 cm. Then, a finishing coating is laid on it. As a rule, this is a grooved board, which can perform the functions of a finishing floor or serve as the basis for another material.
Conclusion
It’s easy to find useful recommendations and practical tips on installing a vapor barrier on the floor. But before work, you need to stock up on an impressive body of knowledge. If you know how to choose material for your structure, you can assume that half of the work has already been done.