Vapor barrier for use in the heat insulation of buildings

Abstract

The invention relates to a vapor barrier for use in the thermal insulation of buildings which can be used, in particular, for thermal insulation procedures in new buildings or in the renovation of old buildings. The vapor barrier in accordance with the invention is thereby capable of achieving water vapor exchange under different ambient conditions. This is achieved by using a material which has a water vapor diffusion resistance which is dependent on the ambient humidity and which also has adequate tensile strength and tear resistance.

1 . A vapor barrier for use in the insulation of buildings, wherein at least a portion of the vapor barrier is formed from a material which has a water vapor diffusion resistance dependent on an ambient humidity, with the proviso that the material, at a relative humidity of an atmosphere surrounding the vapor barrier in the region of 30% to 50%, has a water vapor diffusion resistance (s d -value) of 2 to 5 meters diffusion-equivalent air space width, and, at a relative humidity in the region of 60% to 80%, a water vapor diffusion resistance (s d -value) which is <1 meter diffusion-equivalent air space width.  
   
   
       2 . The vapor barrier of  claim 1  wherein the vapor barrier is a film-forming composition capable of being sprayed or painted onto the inner walls of a room to form a film on the inner surface of the walls.  
   
   
       3 . The vapor barrier of  claim 1  wherein at least a second portion of the vapor barrier is comprised of a carrier material.  
   
   
       4 . The vapor barrier of  claim 3  wherein the carrier material is selected from the group consisting of particle board, chip board, oriented strand board, plywood paneling, gypsum board, fiber reinforced gypsum board, fiber board, cement board, cementitious wood wool board, calcium silica board, fiber insulation batts or slabs, foam insulation slabs, wall paper, carpet and cloth.  
   
   
       5 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the material is a film.  
   
   
       6 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the film has a thickness of 10 μm to 2 μm.  
   
   
       7 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the film has a thickness of 20 μm to 100 μm.  
   
   
       8 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the material is applied as a coating to a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       9 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the material is sandwiched between two layers of a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       10 . The vapor barrier of  claim 5  wherein the film is formed prior to application to an inner wall surface.  
   
   
       11 . The vapor barrier of  claim 10  wherein the formed film has a decorative surface structure.  
   
   
       12 . The vapor barrier of  claim 10  wherein the formed film has a printed color pattern.  
   
   
       13 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 5  wherein the film is chosen from polyamide 6, polyamide 4 or polyamide 3.  
   
   
       14 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 13  wherein the film has a thickness of 10 μm to 2 mm.  
   
   
       15 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 13  wherein the film has a thickness of 20 μm to 100 μm.  
   
   
       16 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 13  wherein the material is applied as a coating to a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       17 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 16  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       18 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 13  wherein the material is sandwiched between two layers of a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       19 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 18  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       20 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the material is a polymer coating applied to a carrier material.  
   
   
       21 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 20  wherein a polymer for the polymer coating is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, dispersed synthetic resin, methyl cellulose, linseed oil alkyd resin, bone glue and protein derivatives.  
   
   
       22 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 20  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       23 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the material is applied as a coating to a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       24 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 23  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       25 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the material is sandwiched between two layers of a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       26 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 25  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       27 . A vapor barrier for use in the insulation of buildings, at least a portion of the vapor barrier formed of a film including a material selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 4 and polyamide 3.  
   
   
       28 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 27  wherein the film has a thickness of 20 μm to 100 μm.  
   
   
       29 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 27  wherein the material is applied as a coating to a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       30 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 29  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       31 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 27  wherein the material is sandwiched between two layers of a carrier material, the carrier material being such that the characteristics of the vapor barrier are essentially provided by the coating.  
   
   
       32 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 31  wherein the carrier material is a fiber reinforced cellulose material.  
   
   
       33 . The vapor barrier according to  claim 27  wherein the film has a thickness of 10 μm to 2 mm.