Installing insulation in walls is a good way to reduce energy loss and noise. If you have older walls without insulation, you can add batt or blanket insulations to the interior. This works best in unfinished walls where there’s access to the inside of the wall cavity.
Pick an insulation product.
The first thing you need to do when you’re choosing the right product for your home is find out which insulation products are available. The type of material used in insulation can vary depending on the type of structure, climate, and personal preferences. Some materials include:
- Fiberglass mineral wool or rock wool
- Polyurethane foam
- Polystyrene beads or blown-in cellulose (to name just a few)
Decide on a type of installation.
There are two main types of wall insulation: loose-fill and batt. Loose-fill is the most common form and is easy to install. It can be blown into large spaces such as attics or large storage rooms, but it’s harder to get into smaller spaces such as between studs and joists in a wall cavity. Batt insulation is more difficult to install but easier on your wallet because the cost per square foot is less expensive than loose fill.
Loose-fill provides better R-values for walls, but it’s messier than batt insulation since it tends to have larger pieces that need to be cut down before installation begins. Batt insulation is more compact and easier to work with because you won’t have big chunks falling out of place while you’re working on your project.
Measure the wall cavities.
Measure the wall cavities. You will need to measure the walls before you start insulating. Use a tape measure and take the width, height, and depth of each wall cavity. Take measurements from both sides of the attic floor if you are going to be insulating above your ceiling as well as between studs in your walls.
If you are using rigid foam insulation, it is easier to do this step with an assistant on hand so that they can hold one end while you take measurements at the other end of each board with a level tool held vertically along your horizontal measurement point (for example: top edge).
Cut the insulation to size.
Once you have determined the size of the cavity, it’s time to cut the insulation. You can use a utility knife or scissors for this task, but be careful not to cut yourself. If using a tapered product such as fiberglass batts or cellulose insulation (which typically come in 4-foot widths), you will need to measure and cut each piece accordingly so that it fits snugly into the taper of your wall cavity. If using fiberglass roll insulation without any taper, simply measure and cut each piece so that it fits into its designated section of wall cavity.
Add a thermal barrier in the attic ceiling or interior walls if necessary.
If you’re installing insulation in an attic, be sure to add a thermal barrier to the ceiling. This can be accomplished by using 24-gauge rigid foam board or 3/8” plywood with 1×3 furring strips installed at 16” on center.
The same type of material can also be used as part of your interior wall insulation if needed. Adding a thermal barrier will help reduce heat loss through the walls by reducing conduction and convection through the studs and framing that’s present between your walls and ceiling.
If you are insulating floors, it is recommended that you use 6 mm (1/4″) extruded polystyrene or 12 mm (1/2″) expanded polystyrene for maximum performance.
Wrap insulation in plastic for damp areas.
If you’re dealing with a damp area, wrapping your insulation in plastic is a great way to protect it from moisture. This will also help keep the insulation in place while you work, and it can reduce air leaks around your home’s structure.
Also, if you want to cover up the insulation in an effort to keep it clean, use plastic instead of other materials like cardboard or plywood. Plastic sheeting is durable and easy to install—that’s why many contractors prefer it. It also keeps pests away from your insulation so they don’t chew through any of those fibers.
Insulate the top floors last.
It is extremely important to insulate the top floors last. When you’re installing insulation in an attic, it’s likely that the insulation will shift if you install it first. Installing ceiling insulation before your walls are finished is also risky because there will be little support for the ceiling joists and they could sag or bow over time, making a home uncomfortable and drafty.
Insulating lower floors first also helps prevent roof leaks by minimizing air gaps between your roof and exterior walls. By installing wall insulation before ceiling insulation, you can keep moisture out of the walls by sealing off any gaps between them with caulk or spray foam sealant (see “How To Apply Sealant”).
Staple or tape paper facing to keep insulation in place and reduce air leaks with unfaced products.
Use a staple gun to secure the paper facing.
- To avoid air leaks, staple or tape the paper facing around windows and doors so it is flush with them. Staple seams at least 6 in. (15 cm) apart in drywall or 8 in. (20 cm) apart in studs or joists where they meet at corners or partitions.
- Use staples that are 1/2-in. long and spaced 6 in.–12 in. (15–30 cm) apart at top and bottom edges of each piece of foam board insulation; between each strip of 2-in.-thick rigid insulation; and along all sides of batts with wire mesh facing on both sides for maximum compression.[4] Remove any staples that interfere with fastening HVAC equipment later on if necessary.[5] If you are stapling unfaced products, use corrosion-resistant staples such as stainless steel or galvanized steel type 16 gauge x 1-1/2″ long (41 mm x 40 mm).
Proper insulation can help you save on your energy bills, warm up your home and reduce noise from outside walls.
Insulation can help you save money on energy bills and warm up your home, but it’s not always easy to do it yourself. If you’re not sure how to put up insulation in walls, follow these steps:
- Measure the area where you want to put up insulation.
- Cut out holes for electrical outlets and switches if necessary.
- Attach clips or staples that are designed for attaching drywall over the outlet box so that they cover the opening completely with no gaps around them (this will be easier if someone else holds them while you work).
- Slide an access cover onto each electrical box before screwing them back into place with screws so they don’t come loose while working with insulation materials later on this process at home improvement store which sells supplies like this type contains many different types of products such as steel framing materials including metal studs/rafters; wood framing materials such as lumber joists/beams; metal connectors used during construction such as stud bracing systems (for example); metal accessories used during construction such as flashing tape/sealant strips for windows & doors plus many more things like those listed above so make sure before going shopping online order today because time is running out
Conclusion
In this article, we learned about the different types of insulation and how to install them. As you can see, the process is simple and anyone can do it with a little help from the internet. We hope that after reading this blog post, you will feel confident enough to start insulating your own home.
