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Polyethylene is one of the most common barriers used in construction in the last 40 years. If installed carefully, it may act as both a vapour barrier AND an air barrier, cutting the amount of time and money that a contractor has to spend to ensure airtightness.

Important Considerations for Polyethylene:

• With careful planning and installation, it may be used as vapour barrier and air barrier
• Common and inexpensive material
• Installation method is well known to most contractors
• May block entry of air pollutants from wall cavity.
• Carefully plan for proper fastening, adhesives and 'clamping' of polyethylene - with lumber strapping, for example - to resist wind pressures from exterior through assemblies.
• Openings and penetrations in polyethylene must be carefully cut and coupled with the use of appropriate tapes, gaskets and sealants.