Can I Put House Wrap on My Ceiling?

Identification

• According to the United States Department of Energy, air leakage accounts for 30 percent of your home's cooling and heating costs each year. Placing an air barrier around your home can reduce air leakage and make your home more efficient. House wraps are placed around the exterior of your home at the time of construction. Since house wraps are meant to block air and moisture from seeping into your home from outdoors, they are not recommended for indoor ceiling installation.

Material

• Not all house wraps are constructed from the same material, but most are made from fibrous spun polyolefin plastic. These wraps come in different sizes and are rolled into sheets which are wrapped around the exterior of homes. House wraps also have materials woven into the wrap to keep it tear resistant.

Alternatives

• There are other materials that will serve as an air barrier in your home. Most ceilings are finished with drywall, which acts as an air barrier. According to the United States Department of Energy, some types of insulation, like loose-fill or blanket rolls, will act as an air barrier if packed densely into wall cavities and attic spaces. Insulation slows down the rate at which heat and air moves in and out of your home. Adding more insulation to your home will help you use less energy, keeping your cooling and heating costs low. Attic insulation is fairly easy to install in already built homes, and it helps reduce the amount of air lost through your ceilings.

Considerations

• Sealing all gaps and cracks in your home that may allow air to flow through your home will help make your insulation more efficient. Caulk any small gaps to seal them. If there are large gaps in your ceiling or attic, you can use foam board insulation to seal them. If you choose to place house wrap on your home's exterior at the time of construction, sealing all of the joists with house wrap tape will make it a more effective air barrier.