--- title: Selecting a Water Vapor Retarder description: An article to help you in selecting a water vapor retarder.ASTME-1745 Requirements chart. --- - [Privacy Notice](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/privacy-notice?hsLang=en-us) | - [Shipping & Returns](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/shipping-and-returns?hsLang=en-us)   [![Global Plastic Sheeting, Plastic Sheeting Specialist](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-2336161311-png/images/logo-mobile.png)](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/?hsLang=en-us) ![side_img37](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-2350449328-png/images/side_img37.png) ![side_img37](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-2350449328-png/images/side_img37.png) Click to call from your cell: [+17605979298](tel:+17605979298) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalplasticsheeting.com%2Fselecting-a-water-vapor-retarder%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalplasticsheeting.com%2Fselecting-a-water-vapor-retarder%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalplasticsheeting.com%2Fselecting-a-water-vapor-retarder%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png) ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalplasticsheeting.com%2Fselecting-a-water-vapor-retarder%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) # The Selection of a Water Vapor Retarder **CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING ****AN EFFECTIVE ****WATER VAPOR RETARDER ****FOR YOUR PROJECT** **![Vapor retarder how to select one](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vapor%20retarder%20how%20to%20select%20one.jpg?width=376&name=Vapor%20retarder%20how%20to%20select%20one.jpg)** When the proper vapor barrier/retarder is correctly installed, it will provide an economical and effective method of limiting water vapor from traveling upward through the concrete slab-on-grade or below the exterior grade.  Without the proper vapor retarder, excessive moisture will adversely affect moisture-impermeable flooring causing problems such as, warping, rotting or carpet, decay of wood floors, terrible offensive smells and fungi growth.** ** **![Vapor retarder save your floors](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vapor%20retarder%20save%20your%20floors.jpg?width=190&name=Vapor%20retarder%20save%20your%20floors.jpg) ** **Before you buy or specify a water vapor retarder, **separate what's "nice" to know, from what must be known to make your decision. The process of selecting a vapor retarder includes two key steps: [**Selecting a water vapor retarder best suited for your application. **](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/crawl-space-vapor-barrier-basement-liner?hsLang=en-us) A vertical wall vapor retarder may demand a more puncture resistant barrier because of design conditions such as the type of backfill material and the backfill method used. Another condition to consider is the type of compacted sub-grade used on a slab-on-grade or a sub-grade application. If sharp crushed rock is specified because of availability, or design, a more puncture-resistant vapor retarder will be required. Typically, river-run (washed rock) will cause less damage to the retarder. In general, more demanding conditions will require a Class A or B (ASTM E-1745) vapor retarder. Please refer to the chart qualifying each of our vapor retarders. **Insist the vapor retarder you're specifying meets ASTM E 1745 ****performance requirements! Ask yourself during the selection process:** - Has the vapor retarder been tested for resistance to deterioration from contact with soil and still maintain a 0.3 Perm or less (ASTM E 154 Section 13)? - Does the vapor retarder meet the minimum tensile strength per classification as listed in the table below? - Puncture strength is also a very critical factor in determining if a retarder is capable of withstanding demanding installation stress. Does the vapor retarder meet the minimum puncture strengths required of an A, B or C classification? - Does the manufacturer provide proper certification of independent testing, correct classification and product labeling identifying class A, B or C? - Have you determined what classification you will require in order to meet your customer's performance expectations? **ASTME 1745 Requirements** | Water Vapor Permeance(E 154,Section 7 of F 1249), max | Tensile Strength        (E 143, Section 9), min | Puncture Resistance   (D 1709, Method B), min | Class | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .30 perms | 45.0 lb/in | 2200 grams | A | | .30 perms | 30.0 lb/in | 1700 grams | B | | .30 perms | 13.6 lb/in | 475 grams | C | ## Below are some vapor barrier for your consideration. - **[Poly Scrim Crawl Space Vapor Barrier:](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/ultra-scrim-crawl-space-vapor-barriers?hsLang=en-us)****  **String reinforced Crawl Space Liners - [**Enkavent 6128**](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/enkavent-6128-radon-venting?hsLang=en-us)- Radon Control - **[Crawlspace 2000](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/crawlspace-2000-20-mil-white-crawl-space-vapor-barrier?hsLang=en-us)**** :** A white 20 mil string reinforced liner  12' x 100' - **[Poly Scrim 12 Antimicrobial](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/hs-fs/file-13761389-pdf/docs/poly_scrim_12.pdf?hsLang=en-us)**: 12 mil liner  12' x 100' ## **Recommended Tapes:** - - **[Ultra ](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/ultra-perm-tape-waterproof-tape?hsLang=en-us)[Perm Tape:](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/ultra-perm-tape-waterproof-tape?hsLang=en-us)  Exceptionally aggressive all weather tape** - **[Butyl Seal Tape-Double Sided Tape](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/butyl-seal-tape/?hsLang=en-us) Used to attach the plastic to the foundation walls of  the crawl space.** - **[Vapor Seaming Tape](https://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/tapes/?hsLang=en-us) Used to seam the vapor barrier plastic together in the crawl space. Minimum overlap of 6 inches.** **[![Resource page for Plastic Sheeting, Greenhouse Plastic, Fire Retardant Products, HDPE- LLDPE, Tapes 760 597 9298 Global plastic sheeting](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/32796/940f93a5-d754-4ad8-a7c1-f3c10def1138.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/32796/940f93a5-d754-4ad8-a7c1-f3c10def1138)**     Call us at (619) 448-4439 for more information. Thank you! 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