I keep seeing teams skip vapor barriers to save time, but every callback for moisture damage proves it's a bad idea. How do you handle this on your projects?
I helped my grandpa retrofit an old house years ago, and we used bundled newspaper for insulation. It was messy and didn't do much for heat loss. Now, with modern materials like batts and foam, the job is cleaner and way more effective. Sometimes I miss the simplicity, but I don't miss the dust. It's wild to see how far the trade has come.
I always had trouble with messy cuts. Now I use a sharp utility knife for clean slices. This makes the insulation fit better and stops drafts.
I mean, I got into a chat about this with a regular at the bar who does insulation. One side says putting insulation in interior walls is smart for privacy, like if you have a home office or kids' rooms. The other side thinks it's just extra cost and time since it doesn't stop heat loss. Maybe it's just me, but I've heard stories where it really helped, like in a duplex to cut down neighbor noise. But then some installers say they avoid it to keep bids lower. What do you guys in the trade think? Is it a good add-on or something to skip?
We take turns trying each other's way on a small section first. Seeing the results side by side usually makes the best choice clear.
I keep getting mixed advice on where to put vapor barriers in older houses. Some guys say inside, some say outside, and the codes here don't help. Just want a straight answer before I mess up another job.
It slides through fiberglass clean without tearing. Saves my utility blade for bigger cuts.