What Tools And Equipment Do I Need?
- Tape measure for measuring the insulation and the area being insulated
- Straightedge such as a yardstick or 2x4 for cutting insulation
- Utility knife for cutting insulation
- Stapling tool for attaching faced insulation or polyethylene vapor barrier to framing or studs
- Putty knife or screwdriver for forcing pieces of insulation into small places
Full Answer
What tools do insulation installers use?
When installing insulation, you'll need the following products:Tape measure,Straightedge,Utility knife,Stapling tool, and.Putty knife or screwdriver.
Is it easy to install insulation yourself?
DIY spray foam insulation is extremely difficult, especially for large jobs. Hiring a specialized foam insulation contractor may be the only way to receive the benefits of foam insulation. The amount of time to finish the insulation job will be cut down drastically compared to a DIY project.
What needs to happen before installing insulation?
Here are some things that you should be sure to do to prepare.Clean Up Your Attic. One of the first things that you will want to do before you get your attic insulated is to clean up the attic. ... Check for Water Leaks. ... Box Out Your Light Fixtures. ... Check That Exhaust Fans a Facing Out. ... Call A Professional.
What should you not do when installing insulation?
When you decide to install insulation, there are some pitfalls that you should avoid:Do not remove the backing from fiberglass insulation. ... Do not cover any ventilation with fiberglass insulation and do not wrap wiring with insulation. ... Don't allow gaps in your attic. ... Often, attic doors are not insulated.More items...•
Should you tape insulation seams?
Yes, you tape any insulation's lateral seams, especially any fluffy stuff... aluminum HVAC tape lasts the longest. The fluffy stuff really only works best in dead air space. Which also means the un-faced side (where you don't tape anything).
Is it cheaper to insulate myself?
doing it yourself. Costs vary significantly by size of the home, location and accessibility of added insulation, etc., but you can expect the cost of a professional job to be two or three times more than just the cost of the materials you'd need to do it yourself if you purchase fiberglass or mineral wool insulation.
Does wiring go in front of or behind insulation?
Wiring. It is important that wiring is done before insulation is put into place in new construction. Holes need to be drilled into the frame and wires run throughout the walls. Trying to do this kind of work around insulation would provide needless obstacles for the electricians to work around.
What is the proper way to install insulation?
1:154:06How to Install Fiberglass Insulation | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull it up nice and tight making sure there's no voids or gaps. And tuck it the whole length of theMorePull it up nice and tight making sure there's no voids or gaps. And tuck it the whole length of the bay all the way down to the bottom. Here pulling it nice and snug.
Is it safe to put insulation over wires?
It is perfectly safe for household insulation to touch wires provided the wires or cables are electrically insulated. There also are techniques to make insulation fit better around wires. However, under no circumstances should thermal insulation make contact with live uninsulated wires and cables.
Which side of insulation goes against the wall?
It should always face the warm-in-winter side. Thus, in cold climates, it should face the interior; in hot humid climates, it should face the exterior. If a vapor barrier is installed on the wrong side, it can trap moisture inside wall cavities causing condensation to accumulate.
Can you ever have too much insulation?
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
Can insulation be installed backwards?
Insulation in attics and crawl spaces is often installed backwards. Not many people know that that pink panther home/wall insulation can actually be installed upside down, but it can. Insulation should have its paper side installed towards the inside of the home.
Can I install attic insulation myself?
You can do it yourself for about $500. Blowing attic insulation isn't hard, but it's dusty, sweaty work. To make insulating an attic easier, grab a helper and set aside two days: one for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation.
How do you install insulation in the wall without removing drywall?
You may add insulation to your walls without removing it by cutting holes into the siding. You can blow spray foam or cellulose into the walls from outside. Just cut a 1 inch to 2-inch hole between the studs at the top of the wall and then spray the insulation into the hole using a hose.
Can you DIY roof insulation?
For DIY attic insulation, you've got two choices: loose fill or batt (the common term for blanket insulation). Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material.
Is loft insulation a DIY job?
If your loft is easy to access, doesn't have damp issues and is not a flat roof, how to insulate a loft is a DIY job worth considering to save on costs. However, if any existing insulation is wet, or has shown signs of being wet in the past, it's likely there is a leak somewhere, or that your home suffers from damp.
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Start With A Walk-Through
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Air Sealing An Existing Home
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The Basics of Batt and Roll Installation
To get the optimum performance when using fiberglass and mineral wool batts in walls and knee walls – fill the cavity. Cut each batt so it is about...
Before Installing Insulation
When installing home insulation, always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Here are some things you need to do before you begin:
Working With Insulation
Wear an old long-sleeved shirt and long pants or disposable coveralls. Check the insulation instructions for recommended safety gear such as eye protection, gloves and dust masks. If you're working in a crawlspace or attic, you may want to wear knee pads for comfort.
Where should you install insulation in an old timber house?
First up, when working with an old house renovation you need to work out where you actually need to install insulation. With modern building every little gap or crack is sealed airtight as it feels like we’ve become obsessed with making new homes as airtight boxes to make them as energy efficient as possible.
Out with the old insulation
In our old house 5 of the 6 ground floor rooms were insulated with sawdust so the first part of work was taking up the floorboards and removing the old insulation which was full of dead mice and mice poop. This was pretty time consuming to bag up and throw away, definitely not the funnest job we’ve done in the house.
Tools for installing insulation
Installing insulation is actually pretty simple work, not easy but simple so you don’t normally need many expensive tools.
How to install insulation in walls
Before you install insulation in walls you obviously need wood framing which will hold the insulation against the outer walls. For us the timber structure was/is strong but in most places very unstraight so we wall framed nearly all the inner & outer walls in order to make them straight to put panel cladding up on.
How to install insulation in floors
Again you need your floor structure in place before any insulation can be installed in the floor. Our insulation for the floor is 12cm thick to match the width of the floor joists.
How to cut insulation
Quick note on how to cut insulation. Our insulation sheets are very firm & rigid so while it takes a bit of work they are actually quite easy to cut. As I mentioned before I did buy a special insulation saw but I found it to be a blunt and therefore ended up just using a simple long wood handsaw instead.
Insulation for soundproofing walls
As well as keeping your house warm you can also install insulation for soundproofing too. As I mentioned we’ve installed insulation on a few inner walls in the bathroom/laundry, electricity/water pump room and between the lounge & playroom.
How to use fiberglass batts in knee walls?
To get the optimum performance when using fiberglass and mineral wool batts in walls and knee walls – fill the cavity. Cut each batt so it is about ½” longer than the cavity and for non-standard cavity widths cut the batt ½” wider. (Standard batts are pre-cut to be about ½” wider than a standard wall cavity with either 16” or 24” on center framing.)
What is housewrap used for?
During construction, homes are outfitted with housewrap, over the exterior sheathing, in a continuous manner to act as an air barrier. Unless you are fully re-siding your home, adding housewrap to an existing house is impractical. However, all homes have exterior sheathing and interior barriers such as gypsum board.
Can you download the installation guide for attics?
Alternatively, you can download or print the installation guide for attics & ceilings, walls & knee walls, or floors. Either approach will allow you to identify solutions to challenges you may face as you go through the installation process.
Can you insulate without air sealing?
Air seal then insulate. Adding insulation without air sealing won’t get you the benefits you are after. This means making sure an air barrier is in place and leaks are sealed.
What to use to push insulation in place?
Long stick/pole – A long stick, such as a broom, can help you push the insulation in place in hard to reach places. Knee support – Kneeling on the ceiling rafters can be tough on the knees. Consider bringing a wooden plank or knee pads.
How to calculate how much insulation you need?
To calculate how much insulation you need, first measure the ceiling space and calculate the area in m2 (length x width). Now multiple the area by 0.9. Reducing the area by 10% like this accounts for the ceiling joists.
Why is it important to install insulation on a roof?
Since the roof is responsible for a home’s greatest heat loss and gain, it’s important to install insulation with an appropriate R-Value. In fact, new Australian homes must meet certain R-Value standards according to their location.
Why do you need insulation in your ceiling?
Wanting to install insulation in your ceiling? This is one of the best things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. Well insulated homes are more comfortable and save money on power bills year round.
What is the R value of insulation?
The R-Value is the most important factor to consider when choosing which insulation product to install. The R-Value represents how effective the product is at resisting heat flow. So the higher the R-Value, the more insulating power it has.
Can glasswool insulation cause skin irritation?
Gloves – Some glasswool insulation products can cause irritation to the skin. Gloves will keep your hands safe from itchiness.
Why do you need insulation under your house?
How to Install Insulation Under a House. Insulation helps you conserve energy from heating and cooling because it resists heat transfer. In the summer, less heat is allowed inside, and in winter, less heat is allowed out. Stopping heat transfer under a house isn’t critical, but it can help reduce drafts and make floors less chilly.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray-on foam insulation is a costlier option than batts and rigid foam and is a job best performed by a professional. It’s messy, requiring precise mixing and application using special equipment and protective gear. The upside is that spray foam fills every nook and cranny because it expands within minutes after spraying on and hardens shortly thereafter. It is appropriate on the walls or between joists. The expansion is similar to the way foaming toothpaste or shaving cream grows larger once it leaves the container. If the house has a very low crawlspace, this type of insulation might be best only on the walls. The installer needs ample ventilation and room to move around and maneuver the sprayer wand.
What is rigid foam?
Rigid Foam. Rigid foam comes in sheets with tongue-and-groove edges that fit together, helping eliminate gaps. It’s light enough for one person to handle, and you can cut it with a utility knife. Under the house, rigid foam is used on basement or crawlspace walls, not overhead between the joists. In fact, insulated walls negate ...
How does insulation help your home?
Properly installed insulation can increase the energy-efficiency of your home, lowering your carbon footprint as well as your utility costs. By hiring a professional insulation installer, you ensure that the job will be done correctly the first time.
Why do people use the attic?
Most homeowners don’t spend a lot of time in the attic, opting to use it only for storage. When an attic is out of sight and out of mind, it can become an ideal environment for pests as well as mold and mildew.
Is attic insulation part of the project?
The work of properly installing or removing attic insulation is only part of the project. It’s also essential to make sure you’re using the right material. A professional insulation company will be able to order new insulation with the correct R-value, type and size the first time around. They’ll also have the correct tools for proper insulation.
Where to apply new insulation?
Apply the new insulation on top of the existing insulation layers.
What type of insulation is used in the attic?
The most common types of attic insulation include blown-in fiberglass, spray foam, batt, structural insulated panels, loose-fill and reflective insulation.
Why Choose Prodex To Insulate Your Attic?
We recommend using Prodex to insulate your attic: a new-age, all-in-one insulation solution that provides numerous benefits.
How much heat does attic insulation transfer?
It radiates heat transfer as much as 97%, which is extremely important when you install attic insulation due to the proximity to the sun as a major heat source
What is the purpose of insulation in the attic?
A finished attic typically has insulation between the ceiling rafters and exterior walls studs, to prevent heat from leaving your home through the roof and walls.
Why is it important to insulate the attic?
Properly insulating your attic can help ensure better temperature and moisture control
How much does it save to insulate your home?
Did you know that properly insulating your home, including your attic, basement and floors, can save 15% of your heating and cooling costs?
