VAPOUR RETARDERS
For the most part, vapour retarders are films made of polyethylene (PE). The unit of measurement used to indicate the degree of permeability of vapour retarders is the sd-value.
The sd-value of a vapour retarder/vapour barrier is obtained by multiplying the water vapour diffusion resistance coefficient with the layer thickness of the insulating material, in metres.
A sd-value of 1 m means that the film has a water vapour diffusion resistance to a water molecule equal to that of 1 m of a stagnant air layer. The higher the sd-value of a vapour retarder film, the higher its resistance to vapour diffusion.
- Applications in screed flooring
To avoid vapor diffusion from the ground, sufficiently vapor-proof films must be installed. These films must be equal in function to a vapor-diffusion-equivalent air-layer thickness that is higher than that of the overlying flooring material.
Precautions against vapor diffusion have to be taken in the following cases:
- For surfaces in contact with soil
- Insufficiently dried floor ceilings and subfloors
- Above doorways, entrances, moisture-prone rooms, heating rooms,
- floors above garages, heat sources underneath raw ceilings
- Vapor-proof floorings and coatings
- Wooden floors
Folded films must be installed with the folding facing downward.
Applications
- Attics
- Screed flooring
- Applications in attic areas
Vapour retarders are intended to prevent warm and humid air from penetrating into the roof structure and creating a build-up of condensation. They are only effective in combination with thermal insulation and they always need to be installed on the side of the insulation facing towards the living space. To ensure that no condensation water forms on the underside (living-space facing side) of the vapour retarder, this underside has to be kept warm.
Critical conditions are reached whenever – under normal surrounding conditions (inside + 20°Celsius, 55 % relative air humidity; outside – 10°Celsius, 80 % relative air humidity) – surface temperatures drop below 12.3°Celsius.
Furthermore, if vapour retarders are planned and installed inexpertly, mold formation will result. Unfavourable room climates said to be caused using impermeable vapour barriers are not to be expected though if installations are carefully planned and executed. Sufficient ventilation is another important factor. Regular ventilation by opening the windows completely for short periods of time reduces air humidity in rooms to a much greater extent than would ever be accomplished by diffusion through the structures of inclined roofs. The technical data can be found in the respective declaration of performance.
About The Green Zone
All polyethylene films we produce are 100% recyclable. The film waste is recycled at the CORETH recycling center and returned to production.
New filter in the recycling process
For many years, Coreth has been Vöslauer´s regional partner in film packaging. Together, we are working on sustainable packaging solutions that not only deliver the highest quality, but are also environmentally compatible and focused on resource conservation. The close proximity between our two family-run corporations offers additional advantages.
Managing Director, Vöslauer Mineralwasser GmbH