The ultimate vapor barrier challenge??
I’m rebuilding my floating home and am seeking advice on a vapor barrier for my floor.
Floor structure is sturdifloor over treated joists over treated beams (we call them stringers) over floating logs. Pink/blue foam is tight in joist bays. Otherwise the “crawl space” is fully open for air (and rats and muskrats and yes, even beaver) movement.
I BIN sealed the top of the sturdifloor but am wondering if any additional vapor barrier would be prudent. If I laid tar paper or plastic or even building paper, would it help protect my hardwood floors? or would it just trap moisture between the BIN and the new layer?
Also would it help to place lath strips every 12 inches or so above the barrier to provide air space under the hardwood (I know there’s a term for this application…)?
I appreciate any help.
Edited 8/12/2004 9:44 pm ET by IBROKEANAIL
Replies
Normally it's recommended that a plastic vapor barrier be laid on the soil of a crawlspace. Some contention, though, as to whether it should go all the way to the edge or leave the outside 6-8" uncovered.
Understood for normal houses, but this is a houseboat (floating home). No soil. Just water.
I'm not aware of any houseboats with plastic under the floor structure.
It's also too late to do something creative like that here. The 'crawl space' is really only 6-12" in height.
Can you post a picture of your "house" boat?
Sounds neat.
Dave
Ah!! It seemed like I was missing something.
Probably not much that can or should be done. Being on the water the humidity is going to be high no matter what, and you need to be wary of creating a barrier that would trap condensation and cause rot.
(I took "floating" to mean simply that it had a shallow foundation.)
Edited 8/13/2004 9:57 am ET by DanH
As you say, BIN is a vapor barrier, so anything new would probably trap moisture (coming from the edges) between the layers. I know nothing about houseboats, but your idea to put the finish hardwood floors on sleepers or otherwise have a ventilated space below them sounds like a good one.