Should I tape the seams plus the tops of the batts instead of putting in a poly vapor barrier?
Ken writes from Lake View, New York: “I’m re-insulating an enclosed porch with Kraft faced insulation – plus spray foam around the many windows and small gaps. I am having the crawl space under floor professionally spray foamed. I was told by an insulation contractor that I should tape all the seams plus the tops of the batts instead of putting in a poly vapor barrier. The plastic creates too great a vapor barrier with possibility of trapping moisture inside the walls. My finished wall will be tongue and groove wood paneling (maybe not best for sealing drafts). Is this approach correct?” Answer: Your approach is sound. It is not necessary to install poly over our Kraft-faced product, as your contractor stated.
