vapor barrier

noun

plural vapor barriers
: a layer of material (such as roofing paper or polyethylene film) used to slow or prevent the absorption of moisture into a construction (such as a wall or floor)

Examples of vapor barrier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Select the four-season option, and this tiny house will come with fiberglass insulation and a vapor barrier in both the roof and the flooring. Laura Kristine Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2023 Sometimes a fourth layer is added to serve as the vapor barrier. Heidi Wachter, Treehugger, 14 July 2023 Giroux noticed that the crawl space had been added without a vapor barrier. Vivi Smilgius, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Apr. 2023 Northrop also remarked that fuel stabilizers establish a vapor barrier. Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2023 To build, the study said, the county would need to maintain a clean soil cap, install a vapor barrier under the jail and limit any exposure to groundwater. Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2022 Plastic provides an excellent vapor barrier that helps prevent decomposition of joists and other support structures. oregonlive, 10 Jan. 2022 The downside comes when that promise turns out to be false — if the buyer moves in only to find out that the roof needs replacing or the bathroom has no vapor barrier and mold is growing. Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2021 Water-resistant upgrades include a new interlocking design, foam pads to control pressure behind the panels and a second layer of Henry Blueskin — a water and vapor barrier. Rochelle Olson, Star Tribune, 2 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vapor barrier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vapor barrier was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near vapor barrier

Cite this Entry

“Vapor barrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vapor%20barrier. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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