When choosing the vapor barrier used for waterproofing the foundation of your home, you want to be sure you are making the right choice that reflects both quality and durability. If you have been looking into the encapsulation market for any time, chances are you have already come across preferences of materials and vapor barrier thicknesses that companies advise you use. So, should you go with the thickest crawl space vapor barrier out there, or is there more to consider about your project?
First things first, the vapor barrier thickness is NOT the most important factor to consider when choosing a vapor barrier for a crawl space encapsulation for your home. Although it does serve as a decent indicator of general performance, there are other specifics you need about the performance of the product. These specifics are below:
- Puncture Resistance
- Tensile Strength
- Permeability
- Longevity
Discovering these traits of a vapor barrier in question will not only help you determine whether the plastic is high performance or not, it will also help you determine if it was meant to be used as a retarder or barrier for under your slab foundation.
One thing to consider is that building and residential codes enforce their thickness requirements for the reasons they deem necessary. For example, a general residential building code might call for a minimum of 6mil thickness, while a committee of concrete designers might call for a minimum of 10 mil vapor barrier thickness for all projects.
Here at Barrier Waterproofing Systems, our team of dedicated professionals has developed an entire system that utilizes choice vapor barrier and building materials to deliver a quality installation that will last for many years to come. Give us a call at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168 today to schedule a FREE evaluation of the foundation of your home for planning a waterproofing project today.
