Insulation system with variable position vapor retarder

1 . A method for positioning a vapor retarder within an insulation system at a geographic location to reduce condensation within said insulation system comprising:

determining an incremental change in temperature per R-value of insulation within said insulation system at said geographic location;

calculating a location within said insulation system where the temperature of said insulation is above a dew point temperature using said incremental change in temperature; and

positioning said vapor retarder at said location.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining step comprises:

calculating a temperature differential between an exterior temperature at said geographic location and a corresponding interior temperature where said insulation system is to be placed; and

dividing said temperature differential by the total R-value of said insulation to obtain said incremental change in temperature.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said positioning step comprises:

affixing a first layer of insulation to a wall such that said first layer of insulation has a thickness that positions an inner surface of said first layer of insulation at said location;

attaching said vapor retarder to said inner surface of said first layer of insulation; and

placing a second layer of insulation on said first layer of insulation so that said vapor retarder is positioned between said first and second layers of insulation.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said placing step comprises:

attaching lineals to said vapor retarder to create at least one insulation space;

placing said second layer of insulation adjacent to said vapor retarder, said second layer of insulation being positioned within said at least one insulation space; and

affixing at least one trim piece to said lineals.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said at least one trim piece retains said second layer of insulation within said at least one insulation space.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said vapor retarder has a temperature above an exterior dew point temperature in the summer and above an interior dew point temperature in the winter at said geographic location.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining condensation potentials for said insulation system at incremental locations within said insulation system; and

placing the vapor retarder at the incremental location within said insulation system that produces the least amount of condensation within the insulation system.

8 . An insulation system comprising:

a first layer of insulation having a first thickness affixed to a wall;

a vapor retarder positioned on said first layer of insulation;

lineals positioned on said vapor retarder to create at least one insulation space;

a second layer of insulation having a second thickness affixed to said vapor retarder and positioned within said insulation space; and

at least one trim piece affixed to said lineal.

9 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said lineals are affixed to said wall through said vapor retarder and first layer of insulation.

10 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said lineals are adhered to said vapor retarder.

11 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said first layer of insulation is a foam board.

12 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said vapor retarder is pre-applied to said first layer of insulation.

13 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said second layer of insulation includes a finished surface that provides an aesthetic appearance.

14 . The insulation system of claim 13 , wherein said finished surface is a decorative, permeable layer selected from the group consisting of a woven polymer, a glass, mat, a glass veil, a non-woven polymer and a woven polyolefin.

15 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said at least one trim piece retains said second layer of insulation within said insulation space.

16 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein each of said first layer of insulation and said second layer of insulation are formed of at least one modular insulation member.

17 . The insulation system of claim 16 , wherein one of said at least one modular insulation member contains said vapor retarder.

18 . The insulation system of claim 8 , wherein said first thickness is determined by calculating a location within said insulation system where the temperature is above a dew point temperature, said location being defined as a first dimension from said wall, said first thickness being equal to said first dimension.

19 . An insulation system comprising:

a first layer of insulation having a first thickness affixed to a wall, said first thickness being calculated by determining a location within said insulation system where the temperature is above a dew point temperature, said location being defined as a first dimension from said wall and said first thickness being equal to said first dimension;

a vapor retarder positioned on said first layer of insulation; and

a second layer of insulation having a second thickness affixed to said vapor retarder.

20 . The insulation system of claim 19 , wherein said first layer of insulation is a foam board.

21 . The insulation system of claim 19 , wherein said vapor retarder is pre-applied to said first layer of insulation.

22 . The insulation system of claim 19 , further comprising lineals positioned on said vapor retarder to create at least one insulation space.

23 . The insulation system of claim 22 , further comprising at least one trim piece that retains said second layer of insulation within said insulation space.

24 . The insulation system of claim 19 , wherein said second layer of insulation includes a decorative, permeable layer selected from the group consisting of a woven polymer, a glass mat, a glass veil, a non-woven polymer and a woven polyolefin.

25 . The insulation system of claim 19 , wherein both of said first layer of insulation and said second layer of insulation are formed of at least one modular insulation member.

26 . The insulation system of claim 25 , wherein one of said at least one modular insulation member contains said vapor retarder.

27 . A method of installing an insulation system having an R-value and a variably positioned vapor retarder on a wall comprising:

determining an incremental change in temperature per R-value of insulation for said insulation system;

calculating a location within the insulation system where the temperature is above a dew point temperature using said incremental change in temperature, said location being defined as a first dimension from said wall;

affixing a first layer of insulation having a first thickness equal to said first dimension onto said wall;

positioning said vapor retarder on said first layer of insulation;

attaching lineals to said vapor retarder to create at least one insulation space;

placing a second layer of insulation in said at least one insulation space adjacent to said vapor retarder; and

connecting at least one trim piece to said lineals.

28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising taping joints located between adjoining first layers of insulation to form a substantially continuous vapor retarder.