Can’t blame you for sticking with poly—sometimes the tried-and-true stuff just works, especially in older homes where you’re fighting drafts from every direction. Those “breathable” membranes sound great on paper, but I’ve seen more than a few jobs where they didn’t live up to the hype, especially if the install wasn’t perfect. And yeah, sheep’s wool is cool in theory, but I’ve seen critters make a mess of it more than once. Sometimes simple really is better.
Sometimes simple really is better.
That’s been my experience too, especially when you’re watching the budget. I tried one of those “breathable” wraps in a back room reno last year—looked good on paper, but I still had cold spots and ended up taping seams twice. Poly isn’t fancy, but at least you know what you’re getting, and it’s cheap. I get the appeal of wool, but yeah, mice love it way too much for my liking. Sometimes the old ways just make sense, especially in drafty houses like mine.
Poly isn’t fancy, but at least you know what you’re getting, and it’s cheap.
I hear you on that. I’ve seen a lot of “advanced” membranes over the years, but honestly, some of them just complicate things. Had a job last winter where the client insisted on a high-tech vapor barrier—looked great until we started getting condensation in weird spots. Ended up pulling it and going back to basic poly. Sometimes the tried-and-true stuff just works better, especially in older homes with unpredictable drafts and framing. Not always glamorous, but it gets the job done.
Sometimes the tried-and-true stuff just works better, especially in older homes with unpredictable drafts and framing.
Ain’t that the truth. My place is only from the 80s, but the inspector swore it was “vintage.” Guess all the weird corners and drafty spots fooled him. Poly’s not pretty, but at least it doesn’t try to outsmart you.
I’ve seen plenty of 80s builds with quirks you’d swear were from the 50s. Builders cut corners or just had odd habits back then, too. Poly sheeting might not win any beauty contests, but it’s reliable—sometimes simple is just the right call, especially with unpredictable framing.