Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Staple Free Insulation On Exterior Walls?

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Rik
12-09-06, 07:32 AM
Our contractor installed staple free insulation on our exterior stud walls. It is made by Knauf. It's Kraft-faced insulation without the flanges. The batts stay in place with friction. The Kraft paper fits tightly against the studs for the most part. There are some quarter inch gaps where the insulation is visible. The studs themselves are exposed. It seems to me that this does not act as a proper vapor barrier. Do I need to be concerned? Should I have the contractor replace it with conventional flanged insulation? Any info you can give me about this product is appreciated.

twelvepole
12-09-06, 01:56 PM
If properly installed, there should be no problems. Kraft-faced products have a moisture permeance of 1.0% or less. Read more at http://www.knaufinsulation.us/pdf/StapleFree.pdf
Ed Imeduc
12-09-06, 02:24 PM
For sure before they drywall put up a 4 mil poly over the whole wall of insulation as V/B Let the poly go over the windows also . It will help keep them clean only cut it out at the windows when they are ready to trim the home out