Vapor retarder system

Abstract

A vapor retarder system comprises a vapor retarder and a sealant strip. The sealant strip is adhesively coupled to the vapor retarder to form a continuous vapor retarder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of insulating a wall comprising
 fastening a vapor retarder to each of a first and second stud of the wall to form a cavity therein, wherein the vapor retarder comprises a first vent strip and a first retarder strip;   inserting insulative material into the cavity; and   sealing the first vent strip with a sealant strip,   wherein the sealant strip and the first retarder strip cooperate to form a continuous vapor retarder system that retards vapor flow into the cavity from an external environment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first vent strip is formed to include a plurality of vent apertures configured to allow air to pass freely between the cavity and the external environment and a web extending between and interconnecting the plurality of vent apertures. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein air flows out of the vent apertures into the external environment during the step of inserting insulative material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of inserting includes puncturing a portion of the web to form an insertion aperture configured to locate a nozzle therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the method further comprises blowing insulative material through the nozzle into the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor retarder is fastened to each of the first and second studs with staples. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insulative material is loose fill insulation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor retarder further comprises a second retarder strip and the first vent strip extends between and interconnects the first retarder strip and the second retarder strip. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor retarder further comprises a second vent strip located in spaced-apart relation to the first vent strip to locate the first retarder strip therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of inserting includes puncturing the first vent strip, the second vent strip, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealant strip comprises a backing layer and an adhesive layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sealant strip locates a portion of the first vent strip between the backing layer and the cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . A vapor retarder system comprising
 a vapor retarder adapted to be fastened to an interior surface of a structure to form a cavity, the vapor retarder including a first vent strip and a first retarder strip coextensive with the first vent strip; and   a sealant strip adapted to overlie to the first vent strip,   wherein the sealant strip and the first retarder strip cooperate to form a continuous vapor retarder system that retards vapor flow into the cavity from an external environment.   
     
     
         15 . The vapor retarder system of  claim 14 , wherein the first vent strip comprises a plurality of vent apertures. 
     
     
         16 . The vapor retarder system of  claim 15 , wherein the vent apertures are generally round. 
     
     
         17 . The vapor retarder system of  claim 15 , wherein the vent apertures are slits. 
     
     
         18 . The vapor retarder system of  claim 15 , wherein the first vent strip further comprises a web extending between and interconnecting the plurality of vent apertures. 
     
     
         19 . The vapor retarder system of  claim 14 , wherein the vapor retarder further includes a second vent strip located in spaced-apart relation to the first vent strip to locate the first retarder strip therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . An insulated wall comprising,
 the wall comprising a first stud and a second stud located in spaced-apart relation to the first stud;   a vapor retarder fastened with the first stud and the second stud and to form a cavity therein, and the vapor retarder is formed to include a plurality of vent apertures; and   a sealant strip coupled to the vapor retarder to locate the plurality of vent apertures between the sealant strip and the cavity,   wherein the vapor retarder and the sealant strip cooperate to retard vapor flow between the cavity and an external environment.