A method for coating substrates, containing a) applying a composition to a first side of a substrate, the composition containing an inorganic compound and the inorganic compound containing a metal such as Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Co, B, Al, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Zn, Pb, Sb, or Bi, and an element such as Te, Se, S, O, Sb, As, P, N, C, or Ga, b) drying the composition, c) applying a coating to the first side of the substrate, the coating containing a silane, oxide particles of Ti, Si, Zr, Al, Y, Sn, Zn, Ce or mixtures thereof, a polymer and an initiator, d) drying the coating, e) applying a barrier layer to a second side of the substrate, and f) drying the barrier layer to form a dry barrier layer.