Research Concrete Products

Coloring Supplies

Concrete Stains

Concrete Dyes

Color Hardener

Integral Color

Resurfacing & Overlays

Concrete Coatings

Concrete Overlay Supplies

Concrete Resurfacer

Epoxy Terrazzo Supplies

Concrete Countertops

Countertop Mixes & Supplies

Texturing & Patterns

Concrete Stamps

Concrete Stencils

Concrete Engraving

Forms & Molds

Concrete Forms

Concrete Molds

Concrete Polishing

Polishing Equipment

Concrete Densifiers

Tools & Equipment

Surface Preparation

Concrete Tools

Concrete Power Tools

Concrete Pumps

Protection & Repair

Concrete Sealer

Cleaning Concrete

Concrete Repair

Curing Concrete

Vapor Barriers

Foundation Waterproofing

Concrete Mix

Concrete Admixtures

GFRC Mixes & Supplies

Choosing a Vapor Barrier

• Bottom line: If you want to make sure your slab on ground gets dry and stays dry, use a vapor barrier.
• Cure with waterproof sheets rather than with water or curing compounds.
• All vapor barriers should conform to ASTM E-1745; but consider going with a barrier that has water vapor permeance less than 0.3 perms.
• A 10-mil barrier is probably OK for residential construction if you're careful not to puncture it during construction.
• If laser screeds or heavy placing equipment will be on the barrier, go with 15 mils.
• Starting with lower water-cement ratio concrete will let the slab dry faster. Keep w/c at or below 0.5.
• Vapor barriers also block gases, such as methane or radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association.
• Typical 8-mil polyethylene sheeting costs 5 to 7 cents per square foot. A 15-mil vapor barrier can be about 25 cents per square foot. Sure, that's an increase, but it's better than a damp, discolored slab.

Find Vapor Barrier Manufacturers

Return to Vapor Barriers