Is Extruded Polystyrene Insulation a Vapor Barrier?
A: No, Although Eps Has a Low Water Vapor Transmission Rate, Eps Is Not a Vapor Barrier. Rather It "Breathes", and Therefore Does Not Require Costly Venting as...
A: No, although EPS has a low water vapor transmission rate, EPS is not a vapor barrier. Rather it "breathes", and therefore does not require costly venting as do other insulation materials, which would otherwise trap moisture within walls and roof assemblies.
Is extruded polystyrene a Vapour barrier?
Styrofoam (which is actually a Dow Chemical brand name of extruded polystyrene) is a fairly good vapour barrier. It will not cause problems in the Canadian climate if you put on at least 1-1/2 inch thick and preferably in 2 ft. x 8 ft sheets applied horizontally.
Is XPS insulation a vapor barrier?
XPS is manufactured in both an unfaced form or with different plastic facings. However, XPS is considered a vapor retarder, not a vapor barrier. ... Innovative applications of EPS and XPS have improved a building's envelope thermal performance.