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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

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General: Is polystyrene bead cavity fill breathable?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorgreenland
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2008 edited
     
    I want to add insulation to a brick/polystyrene bead cavity fill/block wall. I can't work out if it's breathable - there's plenty of air in there, but does it move around? Anybody know?
  2.  
    Posted By: greenlandI can't work out if it's breathable


    Oh gosh, we really need to put to rest the misconception that breathable has anything to do with air movement. A GoreTex jacket is breathable, but it is wind proof. In the context of walls, breathable means vapour permeable and has nothing to do with air tightness. It's possible to have an airtight wall that is breathable - indeed, that is exactly what products like Tyvek and Typar provide - an air tightness membrane that is vapour permeable but also waterproof. Since polystyrene beads are made of expanded polystyrene, there's a good change your wall is breathable. Expanded polystyrene sheets are not considered to be a vapour barrier, but extruded ones thicker than 50mm are.

    Paul in Montreal.

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