Focus on Energy: Why Not Slash the Vapor Barrier?

“And then you take a knife and do this…,” Jim said while casually slicing the foil facing of the 4-inch fiberglass ceiling insulation. Even at age 15, it seemed odd to me to put it in and then slash it. But I did. After all, Jim had the wisdom of 24 or so years behind him and it was kind of fun whaling away at the stuff with an old 12-iinch butcher knife. “Hey! Watch out for that wire, it’s hot…” from Jim slowed me down. “So why do we put it up and then punch holes in it”? I asked. “Lets the water out,” said Jim. “Oh.” Theory vs. Reality As with many of you, that’s