Patent Publication Number: US-2017350116-A1

Title: Vapor retarder system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/345,954, filed 6 Jun. 2016, the disclosure of which is now expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to vapor retarders and more specifically to vapor retarder systems fastened to interior walls of a structure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In areas where building code requires a vapor retarder, loose fill insulative material (fiberglass, rockwool, cellulose and others) is installed behind netting or mesh that allows the air generated by the blowing machine that delivers the loose fill insulation to exhaust through the netting while the netting holds the insulation in place. After installing the loose fill insulation, the installer must install a vapor retarder over the netting to form a continuous vapor retarder on the wall. This multi-step process requires additional labor and additional material be used to install the vapor retarder. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features and combinations thereof. 
     A method of insulating a wall may include providing a wall structure and providing a vapor retarder. The wall structure may include a first stud and a second stud each extending from a floor to a ceiling. Each stud may be spaced-apart from one another to form a gap therebetween. The vapor retarder may include a retarder strip and a vent strip. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes fastening the vapor retarder to each of the first and second studs to enclose the gap and form a cavity therein. The method may further include inserting insulative material into the cavity. In some embodiments, the method includes sealing the vent strip with a sealant strip. 
     In some embodiments, the sealant strip and the retarder strip cooperate to form a continuous vapor retarder system that retards vapor flow into the cavity from an external environment. 
     In some embodiments, the vent strip includes vent apertures and a web. The vent apertures are configured to allow air to pass freely between the cavity and the environment. The web extends between and interconnects the vent apertures. 
     In some embodiments, air flows out of the vent apertures into the external environment during the step of inserting insulative material. 
     In some embodiments, the step of inserting includes puncturing a portion of the web to form an insertion aperture configured to locate a nozzle therethrough and blowing insulative material through the nozzle into the cavity. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder is fastened to each of the first stud and second stud with staples. In some embodiments, the insulative material is loose fill insulation. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder has a first retarder strip, a second retarder strip and the vent strip extends between and interconnects the first retarder strip and the second retarder strip. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vapor retarder system may include a vapor retarder and a sealant strip. The vapor retarder may be adapted to be fastened to an interior surface of a structure to form a cavity. The vapor retarder may include a vent strip and a retarder strip coextensive with the vent strip. The sealant strip may be adapted to overlie the vent strip. The sealant strip and the retarder strip may cooperate to form a continuous vapor retarder system that retards vapor flow into the cavity from an external environment. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder is coupled to a vertical wall. In other embodiments, the vapor retarder is coupled to a horizontal surface. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder is coupled to a garage ceiling. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure a method of insulating a wall may comprise fastening a vapor retarder to each of a first and second stud of the wall to form a cavity therein, wherein the vapor retarder comprises a first vent strip and a first retarder strip; inserting insulative material into the cavity; and sealing the first vent strip with a sealant strip. In some embodiments, the sealant strip and the first retarder strip cooperate to form a continuous vapor retarder system that retards vapor flow into the cavity from an external environment. 
     In some embodiments, the first vent strip is formed to include a plurality of vent apertures configured to allow air to pass freely between the cavity and the external environment and a web extending between and interconnecting the plurality of vent apertures. In some embodiments, air flows out of the vent apertures into the external environment during the step of inserting insulative material. 
     In some embodiments, the step of inserting includes puncturing a portion of the web to form an insertion aperture configured to locate a nozzle therethrough. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises blowing insulative material through the nozzle into the cavity. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder is fastened to each of the first and second studs with staples. In some embodiments, the insulative material is loose fill insulation. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder further comprises a second retarder strip and the first vent strip extends between and interconnects the first retarder strip and the second retarder strip. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder further comprises a second vent strip located in spaced-apart relation to the first vent strip to locate the first retarder strip therebetween. In some embodiments, the step of inserting includes puncturing the first vent strip, the second vent strip, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the sealant strip comprises a backing layer and an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, wherein the sealant strip locates a portion of the first vent strip between the backing layer and the cavity. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vapor retarder system may comprise a vapor retarder adapted to be fastened to an interior surface of a structure to form a cavity. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder includes a first vent strip and a first retarder strip coextensive with the first vent strip. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder comprises a sealant strip adapted to overlie to the first vent strip. In some embodiments, the sealant strip and the first retarder strip cooperate to form a continuous vapor retarder system that retards vapor flow into the cavity from an external environment. 
     In some embodiments, the first vent strip comprises a plurality of vent apertures. In some embodiments, the vent apertures are generally round. In some other embodiments, the vent apertures are slits. 
     In some embodiments, the first vent strip further comprises a web extending between and interconnecting the plurality of vent apertures. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder further includes a second vent strip located in spaced-apart relation to the first vent strip to locate the first retarder strip therebetween. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an insulated wall may comprise the wall comprising a first stud and a second stud located in spaced-apart relation to the first stud. In some embodiments, the insulated wall may further comprise a vapor retarder fastened with the first stud and the second stud and to form a cavity therein, and the vapor retarder is formed to include a plurality of vent apertures. In some embodiments, the insulated wall comprises a sealant strip coupled to the vapor retarder to locate the plurality of vent apertures between the sealant strip and the cavity. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder and the sealant strip cooperate to retard vapor flow between the cavity and an external environment. 
     These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a vapor retarder system in accordance with the present disclosure showing the vapor retarder system includes a vapor retarder fastened to a wall to enclose insulative material therein, and a sealant strip coupled to a portion of the vapor retarder; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken generally along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  showing from bottom to top the insulative material extending between a first stud and a second stud, a vent strip comprising vent apertures that extend through the vent strip and open into the insulative material, and the sealant strip comprising an adhesive layer and a backing layer coupled to the vent strip to overlie the vent apertures; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of a portion of the vapor retarder system of  FIG. 1 , showing the sealant strip overlying the vent strip with a portion of the sealant strip peeled back to show the underlying vent strip including an insertion aperture, the vent apertures, and a web extending between and interconnecting the vent apertures, and a portion of the vent strip peeled back to show the underlying insulative material and wall structure; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of another embodiment of a vapor retarder system in accordance with the present disclosure, showing that the vapor retarder system includes a first vent strip, a second vent strip, and a first retarder strip extending between the first and second vent strips; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of another embodiment of a vapor retarder system in accordance with the present disclosure, showing that the vapor retarder system includes a first vent strip and a second vent strip, and further showing that the vent apertures are generally slits; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of a portion of the vapor retarder system of  FIG. 5 , showing the sealant strip overlying the vent strip with a portion of the sealant strip peeled back to show the underlying vent strip having an insertion aperture, the slit-shaped vent apertures, and a web extending between and interconnecting the vent apertures, and a portion of the vent strip peeled back to show the underlying insulative material and wall structure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view of an illustrative embodiment of a method of installing the vapor retarder system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. 
     A vapor retarder system  10  can be mounted to a wall  18  to form an insulated wall  11 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The vapor retarder system  10  can provide an insulative value to the wall while also retarding the flow of vapor from an external environment. The vapor retarder system  10  includes a vapor retarder  14  adapted to be fastened to the wall  18 . When fastened to the wall  18 , the vapor retarder  14  is configured to vent excess pressure during a step of blowing an insulative material  12  into a cavity  28  formed between the vapor retarder  14  and the wall  18 . A sealant strip  16  can then be applied to the vapor retarder  14  to prevent the flow of vapor between the cavity  28  and an external environment. A second embodiment of a vapor retarder system  210  is shown in  FIG. 4 . A third embodiment of a vapor retarder system is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A method  100  of installing a vapor retarder system  10  is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The vapor retarder system  10  includes the insulative material  12 , the vapor retarder  14 , sometimes called a ventable vapor retarder  14 , and the sealant strip  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The insulative material  12  provides an insulative value to the insulated wall  11 . The ventable vapor retarder  14  fastens to the wall  18  to locate the insulative material  12  therein. The sealant strip  16  couples to a portion of the ventable vapor retarder  14 . The sealant strip  16  cooperates with the ventable vapor retarder  14  to retard the flow of vapor through the vapor system  10 . 
     The wall  18  includes a first stud  20  and a second stud  21  that each extend from a floor or sill plate  22  to a ceiling or top plate  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The first stud  20  and the second stud  21  cooperate to form a gap therebetween. 
     The ventable vapor retarder  14  couples to the wall  18  to enclose the gap and form a cavity  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The ventable vapor retarder  14  includes a vent strip  30  and at least one retarder strip  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The vent strip  30  allows air to be released from the cavity  28  during an insulating operation. The retarder strip  32  retards the flow of vapor through a portion of the vapor retarder  14 . In an embodiment, the ventable vapor retarder  14  has first retarder strip  32  and a second retarder strip  44  located in spaced-apart relation to the first retarder strip  32 . In the illustrative embodiment, the vent strip  30  extends between and interconnects the first and second retarder strips  32 ,  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Illustratively, the ventable vapor retarder  14  is fastened to the wall  18  with staples  33  into the first and second studs  20 ,  21 . Illustratively, the vent strip spans the distance between the first and second studs  20 ,  21 . 
     The sealant strip  16  adheres to the ventable vapor retarder  14  and includes an adhesive layer  34  and a backing layer  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The adhesive layer  34  extends between and interconnects the backing layer  36  and the ventable vapor retarder  14 . The backing layer  36  is configured to retard the flow of vapor therethrough. 
     In an embodiment, the sealant strip  16  is a tape that adheres to the ventable vapor retarder  14 . In another embodiment, the sealant strip  16  is a continuous piece of plastic that adheres to the ventable vapor retarder  14 . In another embodiment, the sealant strip  16  is any type of material qualifying as a vapor retarder of 1 perm or less. The sealant strip  16  cooperates with the ventable vapor retarder  14  to form a continuous vapor block that prevents or minimizes the flow of vapor. 
     The vent strip  30  is configured to allow pressure venting during a blown insulation process. The vent strip  30  is formed to include the vent apertures  38  and a web  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The vent apertures  38  are configured to allow air to pass freely between the cavity  28  and the environment. The web  40  extends between and interconnects the vent apertures  38  and provides at least a portion of a surface that couples to the sealant strip  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In an embodiment, the vent strip  30  is parallel to the floor or sill plate  22 . 
     The vent strip  30  can have a range of widths that are illustratively generally measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the floor  22 . The width of the vent strip  30  may be one of the following values: about 4 inches, about 6 inches, about 8 inches, about 10 inches, about 12 inches, about 15 inches, about 16 inches, about 20 inches, about 24 inches, about 28 inches, or about 30 inches wide. The vent strip  30  may be about 4 inches to about 30 inches, about 6 inches to about 30 inches, about 8 inches to about 30 inches, about 12 inches to about 30 inches about 12 inches to about 24 inches, or about 12 inches to about 18 inches wide. In an illustrative embodiment, the vent strip is about 6 inches wide. In another illustrative embodiment, the vent strip  30  is about 12 inches wide. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the vent strip  30  is about 18 inches wide. 
     In some embodiments, each aperture  38  of the vent apertures  38  is generally circular, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Illustratively, each of the apertures  38  can be about 0.25 inches in diameter and be spaced about 3 inches apart. In another embodiment, each aperture is about 0.5 inches in diameter. While circular apertures  38  are illustratively described herein, any suitable shape or spacing of the plurality of apertures  38  that sufficiently allow escape of blown air may be used in the vent strip  30 . In another embodiment, each aperture  38  of the plurality of apertures  38  has an irregular shape. 
     The apertures  38  are located in spaced-apart relation to one another, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In a vertical direction, each aperture may be about 0.1 inches, about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  38 . In some embodiments, each vent aperture can be about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches, about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, or about 1 inch to about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  38 . 
     The apertures  38  are located in spaced-apart relation to one another, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In a horizontal direction, each aperture may be about 0.1 inches, about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  38 . In some embodiments, each vent aperture can be about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches, about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, or about 1 inch to about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  38 . 
     The insulative material  12  is located within the cavity  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In an embodiment, the insulative material  12  is loose fill insulation such as fiberglass, rockwool, cellulose or any other suitable loose fill insulation. The insulative material  12  cooperates with the structure of the wall  18  to provide an insulative value. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  10  provides an insulative value of about R-5 to about R-49, about R-5 to about R-35, about R-5 to about R-15, or about R-15 to about R-35. 
     The vapor retarder system  10  retards the flow of vapor between the cavity  28  and an external environment. In some embodiments, the external environment is an interior room of a structure and the vapor retarder system  10  is located between the interior room of the structure and an exterior of the structure. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  10  is located between the interior room of the structure and the first and second studs  20 ,  21 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the external environment is outside of the structure and the vapor retarder system is located between the exterior of the structure and the first and second studs  20 ,  21 . In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  10  retards the flow of vapor from the cavity  28  into the interior room of the structure. The vapor retarder system  10  can provide a perm rating of less than about 3, less than about 2, less than about 1, less than about 0.8, less than about 0.5, or less than about 0.3. 
     In some embodiments, the ventable vapor retarder  14  comprises a polyethylene film. The thickness of the ventable vapor retarder  14  may be one of the following values: about 1 mil to about 10 mils, about 1 mil to about 8 mils, about 2 mils to about 8 mils, about 3 mils to about 8 mils, about 4 mils to about 8 mils, and about 4 mils to about 7 mils. The thickness of the ventable vapor retarder  14  may be one of the following values, about 1 mil, about 2 mils, about 3 mils, about 4 mils, about 5 mils, about 6 mils, about 7 mils, about 8 mils, about 9 mils, and about 10 mils. In an embodiment, the ventable vapor retarder  14  is about 6 mils thick. 
     In another embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, the ventable vapor retarder  14  can be installed on a horizontal surface. Illustrative horizontal surfaces include garage ceilings and floors. 
     During the preparation of the insulated wall  11 , a technician may insert a fill nozzle into the first vent strip  30  and form an insertion aperture  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The technician may then add insulative material  12  to the cavity  28 . In some embodiments, a technician may insert a fill nozzle into the first retarder strip  32 . If a technician inserts a fill nozzle into the first retarder strip  32 , a patch may be applied to the vapor retarder  14  to seal the aperture formed in the first retarder strip  32 . 
     Another illustrative vapor retarder system  210  adapted for use on a wall is shown in  FIG. 4 . The vapor retarder system  210  is substantially similar to the vapor retarder system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the  200  series indicate features that are common between the vapor retarder system  10  and the vapor retarder system  210 . The description of the vapor retarder system  10  is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the vapor retarder system  210 , except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the vapor retarder system  210 . 
     The vapor retarder system  210  includes the insulative material  212 , the vapor retarder  214 , sometimes called a ventable vapor retarder  214 , and the sealant strip  216 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Illustratively, the first sealant strip  216  couples to a portion of the ventable vapor retarder  214  and cooperates with the ventable vapor retarder  214  to retard the flow of vapor through the vapor retarder system  210 . 
     The vapor retarder  214  comprises a first vent strip  230 , a second vent strip  231 , and a first retarder strip  232  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The first vent strip  230  is located in spaced-apart relation to the second vent strip  231 . Illustratively, the first vent strip  230  is located between the first retarder strip  232  and the top plate  224 . The second vent strip  231  is located between the first vent strip  230  and the sill plate  222 . The first retarder strip  232  extends between and interconnects the first vent strip  230  and the second vent strip  231 . 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder  214  comprises a second retarder strip  244  and a third retarder strip  245  located in spaced-apart relation to the second retarder strip  244 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The second retarder strip  244  is located between the first vent strip  230  and the top plate  224 . The third retarder strip  245  is located between the second vent strip  231  and the sill plate  222 . 
     The insulative material  212  provides an insulative value to the insulated wall  211 . The ventable vapor retarder  214  fastens to the wall  218  to locate the insulative material  212  therein. The insulative material  212  is located within the cavity  228 , as shown in  FIG. 4  In an embodiment, the insulative material  212  is loose fill insulation such as fiberglass, rockwool, cellulose or any other suitable loose fill insulation. The insulative material  212  cooperates with the structure of the wall  218  to provide an insulative value. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  210  provides an insulative value of about R-5 to about R-49, about R-5 to about R-35, about R-5 to about R-15, or about R-15 to about R-35. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  210  comprises a first sealant strip  216  and a second sealant strip  217 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Each of the first and second sealant strips  216 ,  217  adhere to the vapor retarder  214 . Each of the first and second sealant strips  216 ,  217  include an adhesive layer  234  and a backing layer  236 . The adhesive layer  234  extends between and interconnects the backing layer  236  and the ventable vapor retarder  214 . In an embodiment, the first and second sealant strips  216 ,  217  are each a continuous piece of plastic adhered to the ventable vapor retarder  214 . In another embodiment, the sealant strips  216 ,  217  comprise any type of material qualifying as a vapor retarder of 1 perm or less. The sealant strips  216 ,  217  cooperate with the ventable vapor retarder  214  to form a continuous vapor retarder. 
     Illustratively, the first sealant strip  216  is configured to locate the first vent strip  230  between the backing layer  236  of the first sealant strip and the cavity  228 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The second sealant strip  217  is configured to locate the second vent strip  231  between the backing layer  236  of the second sealant strip  217  and the cavity  228 . Illustratively, the first and second sealant strips  216  cooperate with the first, second, and third retarder strips  232 ,  244 ,  245  to form a continuous barrier against vapor transmission. 
     During the preparation of the insulated wall  211 , a technician may insert a fill nozzle into the first vent strip  230 , the second vent strip  231 , or both the first and second vent strips  230 ,  231  and form an insertion aperture  242 . The technician may then add insulative material  212  to the cavity  228 . 
     In some embodiments, a technician may insert a fill nozzle into the first retarder strip  232 . If a technician inserts a fill nozzle into the first retarder strip  232 , a patch may be applied to the vapor retarder  214  to seal the aperture formed in the first retarder strip  232 . 
     Another illustrative vapor retarder system  310  adapted for use on a wall is shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . The vapor retarder system  310  is substantially similar to the vapor retarder system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and described herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the  300  series indicate features that are common between the vapor retarder system  10  and the vapor retarder system  310 . The description of the vapor retarder system  10  is hereby incorporated by reference to apply to the vapor retarder system  310 , except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the vapor retarder system  310 . 
     The vapor retarder system  310  includes the insulative material  312 , the vapor retarder  314 , sometimes called a ventable vapor retarder  314 , and the first sealant strip  316 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . Illustratively, the first sealant strip  316  couples to a portion of the ventable vapor retarder  314  and cooperates with the ventable vapor retarder  314  to retard the flow of vapor through the vapor retarder system  310 . 
     The vapor retarder  314  comprises a first vent strip  330 , a second vent strip  331 , and a first retarder strip  332  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The first vent strip  330  is located in spaced-apart relation to the second vent strip  331 . Illustratively, the first vent strip  330  is located between the second vent strip  331  and the top plate  324 . The second vent strip  331  is located between the first vent strip  330  and the sill plate  322 . The first retarder strip  332  extends between and interconnects the first vent strip  330  and the second vent strip  331 . 
     The insulative material  312  provides an insulative value to the insulated wall  211 . The ventable vapor retarder  314  fastens to the wall  318  to locate the insulative material  312  therein. The insulative material  312  is located within the cavity  328 , as shown in  FIG. 5  In an embodiment, the insulative material  312  is loose fill insulation such as fiberglass, rockwool, cellulose or any other suitable loose fill insulation. The insulative material  312  cooperates with the structure of the wall  318  to provide an insulative value. In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  310  provides an insulative value of about R-5 to about R-49, about R-5 to about R-35, about R-5 to about R-15, or about R-15 to about R-35. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder  314  comprises a second retarder strip  344  and a third retarder strip  345  located in spaced-apart relation to the second retarder strip  344 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The second retarder strip  344  is located between the first vent strip  330  and the top plate  324 . The third retarder strip  345  is located between the second vent strip  331  and the sill plate  322 . The insulative material  312  provides an insulative value to the insulated wall  311 . The ventable vapor retarder  314  fastens to the wall  318  to locate the insulative material  312  therein. A sealant strip  316  couples to a portion of the ventable vapor retarder  314  and cooperates with the vapor retarder  314  to retard the flow of vapor. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor retarder system  310  comprises a first sealant strip  316  and a second sealant strip  317 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each of the first and second sealant strips  316 ,  317  adhere to the vapor retarder  314 . Each of the first and second sealant strips  316 ,  317  include an adhesive layer  334  and a backing layer  336 . The adhesive layer  334  extends between and interconnects the backing layer  336  and the ventable vapor retarder  314 . In an embodiment, the first and second sealant strips  316 ,  317  are each a continuous piece of plastic adhered to the ventable vapor retarder  314 . In another embodiment, the first and second sealant strips  316 ,  317  comprise any type of material qualifying as a vapor retarder of 1 perm or less. The first and second sealant strips  316 ,  317  cooperate with the ventable vapor retarder  314  to form a continuous vapor retarder. 
     Illustratively, the first sealant strip  316  is configured to locate the first vent strip  330  between the backing layer  336  of the first sealant strip and the cavity  328 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The second sealant strip  317  is configured to locate the second vent strip  331  between the backing layer  336  of the second sealant strip  317  and the cavity  328 . Illustratively, the first and second sealant strips  316 ,  317  cooperate with the first, second, and third retarder strips  332 ,  344 ,  345  to form a continuous barrier against vapor transmission. 
     In an embodiment, each aperture of the vent apertures  338  is a slit, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The apertures  338  may be generally parallel to the sill plate  322 , generally perpendicular to the sill plate  322 , generally diagonal to the sill plate  322 , a mixture thereof, or oriented in a random direction relative to the sill plate  322 . Illustratively, each of the apertures can be about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches long. In some embodiments, each vent aperture can be about 0.25 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches, about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, or about 1 inch to about 3 inches long. 
     The apertures  338  are located in spaced-apart relation vertically to one another, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In a vertical direction, each aperture may be about 0.1 inches, about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  338 . In some embodiments, each vent aperture can be about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches, about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, or about 1 inch to about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  338 . 
     The apertures  338  are located in spaced-apart relation horizontally to one another, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In a horizontal direction, each aperture may be about 0.1 inches, about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  338 . In some embodiments, each vent aperture can be about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches, about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, or about 1 inch to about 3 inches away from a neighboring aperture  338 . 
     During the preparation of the insulated wall  311 , a technician may insert a fill nozzle into the first vent strip  330 , the second vent strip  331 , or both the first and second vent strips  330 ,  331  and form an insertion aperture  342 . The technician may then add insulative material  312  to the cavity  328 . 
     In some embodiments, a technician may insert a fill nozzle into the first retarder strip  332 . If a technician inserts a fill nozzle into the first, second, or third retarder strips  332 ,  344 ,  345  a patch may be applied to the vapor retarder  314  to seal the aperture formed in the first retarder strip  332 . 
     A method  100  of insulating a wall  18  is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 7 . In an embodiment, the method  100  includes providing  110  the wall  18 . In some embodiments, the method  100  further includes providing  120  the ventable vapor retarder  14  comprising the vent strip  30  and at least one retarder strip  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . While some illustrative steps for method  100  are described for vapor retarder system  10 , the method  100  applies with equal weight to vapor retarder systems  210 ,  310 . 
     The method  100  further includes fastening  130  the ventable vapor retarder  14  to the wall  18  to enclose the gap between the first and second studs  20 ,  21  to form the cavity  28  therein as shown in  FIG. 3 . Illustratively, the ventable vapor retarder  14  is stapled to each of the first stud  20  and the second stud  21  with staples  33  to retain the ventable vapor retarder  14  on the wall throughout the method  100 . 
     The method  100  further includes inserting  140  a fill nozzle into the vent strip  30  to form an insertion aperture  42  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In some embodiments, the fill nozzle is inserted into the retarder strip  32 . 
     The method further includes inserting  150  insulative material through the fill nozzle into the cavity  28 . During the inserting  150  step, insulative material  12  is blown into the cavity  28  causing a pressure increase in the cavity  28 . The excess pressure in the cavity  28  is able to escape the cavity  28  and pass into the environment through the vent apertures  38  of the vent strip  30 . The method further comprises removing  160  the fill nozzle from the filled cavity  28 . 
     The length of time for the step of inserting  150  the insulative material  12  may be dependent on the size of the cavity  28 , the feed ratio of the air pressure and insulative material  12 , and the duration of the step of inserting  150 . Illustratively, the length of time for the step of inserting  150  may also dependent on the desired level of R-value for the insulated wall  11 . In some embodiments, the step of inserting is performed for about 10 seconds, about 15 seconds, about 30 seconds, about 35 seconds, about 40 seconds, about 45 seconds, about 1 min, about 1.5 minutes, about 2 minutes, about 3 minutes, about 4 minutes, about 5 minutes, about 7 minutes, about 10 minutes or about 20 minutes. In some embodiments, the step of inserting is performed for about 10 seconds to about 20 minutes, about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes, about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes, or about 1 minute to about 5 minutes. 
     In some embodiments, the insulative material  12  is inserted into the cavity  28  at about 1 lb/30 seconds, about 1.5 lbs/30 seconds, about 2 lbs/30 seconds, about 2.5 lbs/30 seconds, about 3 lbs/30 seconds, about 3.5 lbs/30 seconds, about 4 lbs/30 seconds, about 4.5 lbs/30 seconds, about 5 lbs/30 seconds, about 5.5 lbs/30 seconds, about 6 lbs/30 seconds, about 6.5 lbs/30 seconds, about 7 lbs/30 seconds, about 8 lbs/30 seconds, about 9 lbs/30 seconds, or about 10 lbs/30 seconds. In some embodiments, the insulative material  12  is inserted into the cavity  28  at a rate of about 1 lb/30 seconds to about 10 lbs/30 seconds, about 1 lb/30 seconds to about 8 lbs/30 seconds, about 2 lbs/30 seconds to about 8 lbs/30 seconds, about 2 lbs/30 seconds to about 7 lbs/30 seconds, or about 3 lbs/30 seconds to about 7 lbs/30 seconds. 
     In some embodiments, the method  100  further comprises inserting  140  the fill nozzle into a second vent strip  231 . In some embodiments, the method  100  comprises inserting the fill nozzle into a first vent strip  230  before inserting the fill nozzle into the second vent strip  231 . In some embodiments, the method  100  comprises inserting the fill nozzle into the second vent strip  231  before inserting the fill nozzle into the first vent strip  230 . In some embodiments, the second vent strip  231  is located between the first vent strip  230  and the sill plate  222 . In some embodiments, the first vent strip  230  is located between the second vent strip  231  and the top plate  224 . 
     The method further comprises sealing  170  the vent strip  30  with the sealant strip  16 . The sealing  170  step locates the vent apertures  38  and the insertion aperture  42  between the sealant strip  16  and the insulative material  12  to retard vapor flow therethrough. Illustratively, the sealing  170  step forms the continuous vapor retarder. In an embodiment, the sealing step  170  includes applying an adhesive layer  34  to the ventable vapor retarder  14  and applying the backing layer  36  to the ventable vapor retarder  14 . In some embodiments, the sealant strip  16  comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive and the step of sealing  170  includes applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive backed sealant strip  16  to the vapor retarder  14 . 
     Loose fill insulation (fiberglass, rockwool, cellulose and others (e.g. insulative material  12 ) has long been installed behind netting or mesh that allows the air generated by the blowing machine that delivers the loose fill insulation to exhaust through the netting and hold the insulation in place behind the netting. Unfortunately, in climate zones where the building code requires a vapor retarder (e.g. vapor retarder system  10 ) be installed, the applicator must then install a vapor retarder over the netting. This process requires additional labor and additional material are used to install the vapor retarder. In general, it is a very inefficient method of installing the loose fill insulation (e.g. insulative material  12 ) when a vapor retarder is required. 
     After the cavities (e.g. cavity  28 ) have been filled with insulation (e.g. insulative material  12 ), the installers quickly seal the vented channel (e.g. vent strip  30 ) using a pressure sensitive tape (e.g. sealant strip  16 ), small sheet of poly adhered by spray adhesive, or any number of different types of material that has a minimum of 1 permanence rating. 
     The Integrated Vapor Retarder/Netting System (e.g. the ventable vapor retarder  14  and the sealant strip  16 ) may be more efficient and cost effective for the contractor, builder, and homeowner because it eliminates the additional cost of the vapor retarder material and additional labor to install the vapor retarder. 
     While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.