Vapour Barrier - Staple or sealant or tape?

[meb97me]

i'm going to be insulating my timber workshop shortly and i'm just wondering what is the best method for attaching the polythene vapour barrier to the the timber studwork?

I've read various methods on different forums and am slightly confused

is it ok to just staple it to the framework? or does it need additional sealing using a bead of sealant/mastic round the outside edges or possibly some polythene tape to tape over the edges and onto the framework?

Many thanks for any info

Matt

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Staple vapor barrier, spacing about 600mm apart to fix it in place.
Then seal any overlapping joints with tape.

 

[meb97me]

briliant! thanks very much for the quick reply!

also its probably a stupid question but which way should i overlap the sheets (assuming they are horizontal) and viewed from the inside of the building

 

[yorksbuilder]

Start at the top and then overlap that sheet with the bottom sheet. Have 300mm overlap if you can

 

[robinbanks]

For future visitors (I think meb97me might have built their workshop by now):

I'd use as few staples as needed to hold it in place until battens could be fitted over it. The battens form a service void to run cables and pipes in so you aren't bashing holes everywhere in your vapour barrier, reducing its effectiveness. I'd do walls then ceiling, running the ceiling barrier slightly down the walls, taping any joints not trapped under a batten. Overlap joints over a stud where possible and then trap with a batten. For a better job, use a rated glue like Orcon F to seal overlaps