Quote:
Originally Posted by Mass_nerder
I'm not reversing terms.
I know that tyvek can be an air barrier, but it guards against air infiltration, which isn't a big problem in cool climates. Instead it essential functions as a drainage plane in cool climates. 6 mil poly is a vapor barrier, and vapor diffusion is certainly a concern, it is much less of a problem than exfiltration of humid interior air.
"Air barrier systems can be located anywhere in the building enclosure – at the exterior surface, the interior surface, or at any location in between. In cold climates, interior air barrier systems control the exfiltration of interior, often moisture-laden air"
air barriers
vapor barriers
I'm Intern Architect and also worked for 5+ years as an architectural technologist before that. |
You’re approaching it from building science applied to commercial or multi family developments and not traditional construction methods applied to hundreds of thousands of local single family homes built over the last 120 years.
If you use the term air barrier, (which since house wrap has become a loose term) 95% of builders/trades/etc assume you’re taking about the exterior. Tar paper was the standard at the beginning of the 20th century and anyone in their right mind would still use it today over Tyvek or equivalent. Air infiltration is an issue in any climate. I’m aware we have wind here, and lots of it.