Homeowners often ask if a vapor barrier is necessary for optimizing attic insulation and protecting their homes from moisture ...

Homeowners often ask if a vapor barrier is necessary for optimizing attic insulation and protecting their homes from moisture-related damage. The answer, however, isn’t one-size-fits-all.

If flooring is built above areas that could be prone to moisture, think about installing a vapor barrier, otherwise known as a moisture barrier or vapor retarder, to provide extra protection.

However, vapor retarders and barriers are not the same. Vapor retarders, as the name implies, only retard the migration of moisture; whereas, vapor barriers essentially stop the ingress of moisture.