---
title: What is a Vapor Retarder?
description: Any material used to prevent the passage of water vapor.
---

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# What is a Vapor Retarder?

## Any material used to prevent the passage of water vapor.

Any material used to prevent the passage of water vapor. Applied to insulation or other surfaces, it retards vapor travel to regions of low temperature where it may condense. A material is considered a vapor retarder if it has a perm rating of 1 or less (the lower perm, the better the vapor retarder). Examples: Kraft facing on insulation, foil facing on insulation.

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