If I used felt paper to wrap my building can I still use insulation with a vapor barrier?

Question

I was told that the felt paper does not breath like Tyvac and a vapor barrier on the inside would cause moister build up(and /or mold in the walls). It seems like there should always be a vapor barrier. Shouldn't there??

Answer 1

It depands where you live and what the code is for your zone.
If you wrapped your house already, than live it alone and go on with your project. If you still have the ability to put vapor barrier, you should calculate the price of purchase and installation and when you brake even with your new cost. It all comes down to money for retrofiting once you put in the felt paper. For a very long time felt paper was used as the primary modality to insulate against moisture, but in the recent years new technology like the TYVAC came along and changed the standards. There are plenty of houses built with felt paper and they to just fine.
I hope this helps !!!

Answer 2

we use to use felt paper in the past some state outlawed it for fire reasons shouldn't be used with vinyl but still need insulation with a vapor barrier

Answer 3

you shouldn't have put felt paper around the building, felt paper is ment for roofs to aid in it not leaking, there fore who ever told you it doesn't breath is correct, it won't. Putting felt paper around a home is going to lead to moisture build up in the walls, which will lead to mold! Thats very very bad, pull it down and use the Tyvek house wrap. If you don't pull it down, the Tyvek will have no effect.

Answer 4

I think it depends on what part of the country you live in. Down here it's done all the time...and works! And yes..they put insualtion on top of the felt. Mostly the blue styrofoam stuff.

Answer 5

yes, you can still have a vapor barrier behind the sheetrock

Answer 6

SUPPOSEDLY YOU RUN THE RISK OF MOISTURE BUILD UP!