Replies

1. 
   Andy_W | Dec 16, 2001 05:58am | #1

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   srf:
   I work in a heating climate, so maybe I dont't know what I'm talking about, but here goes: As long as the warm moist (outside) air doesn't come in contact with the cold steel, you should have no probs. The v.b. could be inside or outside of the rigid styrofoam, as long as it completely encloses the beam. By the way The rigid foam should do an adequate job of retarding vapour that the poly v.b. would be redundant. Never hurts to have 2 lines of defense I suppose.

   Cheers
   Andy

2. 
   srfkcarlton | Dec 16, 2001 06:00am | #2

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   I asked my contractor to follow the excellent advice of this forum in finding a solution for sweating steel beams ruining my ceiling in a Georgia garage (see < Obsolete Link > srfkcarlton "Keeping concealed steel beams in garage ceiling from sweating" 11/19/01 11:41am.) In short,intended solution was (from top to bottom)r-19 fiberglass between joists, 1" rigid foam beneath joists and steel beams, vapor barrier, fire-rated drywall.
   I just looked at the work completed yesterday, and the vapor barrier was insterted between the joists (and the R-19) and the 1" rigid foam layer. This is not what was suggested, but will it still work or does the contractor need to correct it?
   Once again, thanks to all for your invaluable help.