Install Insulation

Install Insulation

Make your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer while saving money with proper insulation. We’ll show you how to insulate several areas around the home with batt and roll insulation: walls, attics, basements and crawlspaces.

Before Installing Insulation

Seal Gaps and Cracks Before Adding Insulation.

We’ll give you general instructions for insulating several areas of your home, but always follow the insulation manufacturer’s instructions. Here are some things you need to do before you begin:

  1. Check your local building code for R-value recommendations and any vapor barrier requirements that apply to your area.
  2. Seal gaps that allow unconditioned air into the space you’re insulating. Pay attention to areas where plumbing, ductwork or wiring enters the space. See Do-It-Yourself Foam Insulation and How to Caulk. In crawlspaces and basements, make sure there are no cracks in the foundation.
  3. Measure between joists (if insulating a floor or attic) or studs (if insulating unfinished walls) to find the correct width of insulation. If you’re insulating framed walls, make sure the insulation is the correct thickness for your wall studs.
  4. Use our Roll Insulation Calculator to estimate how much roll or batt insulation you need.

Good to Know

Insulation is available in faced (with a vapor retarder) and unfaced rolls and pre-cut battsBlown-in and foam board insulation is also available. The R-value of the product indicates how well it insulates.  See our Insulation Buying Guide for more information on determining the type and R-value you need for different applications.


Caution

The paper side of faced insulation is flammable and must not be left exposed. Cover it with a finishing material, such as drywall. Watch our video How to Hang Drywall for step-by-step instructions.

Insulating an Attic with Roll or Batt Insulation

Follow these steps to insulate an attic with roll or batt insulation.

Instructions

Fiberglass batt and rock wool insulation.

Before installing, determine the insulation material best suited for your home. There are several types of batt and roll insulation, but the most common are fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool:

  • Fiberglass is probably the most common material. It’s budget-friendly, and newer products don’t irritate the skin and lungs. Fiberglass insulation is manufactured to slow airflow through the material.
  • Cellulose is made of recycled paper and it’s treated for fire resistance. The material is packed tightly together to resist airflow.
  • Rock wool (also called mineral or slag wool) is created by spinning or drawing fibers from molten materials to create the insulation.
Blown-in and batt insulation.

Determine the type of insulation needed for your attic:

  • Batt and roll insulation (also called blanket insulation) are designed to fit between joist and wall stud cavities. They also work well in open spaces, such as insulating an attic floor. They’re a common type of insulation for DIY projects. We used batt insulation for our project.
  • Loose fill insulation (also called blown-in insulation) is great for tight spaces and topping off existing insulation. However, it requires a machine to install, which can typically be rented. For more information, see Install Blown-In Attic Insulation and our Insulation Buying Guide.
R-value label on batt insulation and diagram.

Determine the needed R-value. Each type of insulation is rated by R-value, the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more resistant the material. The R-value you’ll need in your home depends on your climate. Colder climates will require a higher R-value (between 49 and 60) to prevent loss of heat during the winter. However, batt insulation isn’t available with an R-value of 49-60, so you’ll need to use two layers to get your total R-value to 60. For example, if your attic has an existing layer of insulation between the joists with an R-value of 21, and the total recommended R-value for your region is 49, take the total recommended R-value for your region and subtract the existing R-value to get the R-value needed for your top layer.

R-value Formula: Recommended Total R-value – Existing R-value = Needed R-value

Ex: 49 – 21 = 29, the R-value needed for the top layer

Multiple insulation layers.

You should install two layers of insulation in your attic because wood joists allow air to move through the spaces, so they must be covered. The first layer will sit between the joists, and the second layer will run perpendicular over the joists. The first layer should have facing against the drywall to act as a vapor barrier. (The general rule for insulation is that the facing always goes toward the conditioned space.) The second layer of insulation should be unfaced, so moisture doesn’t collect between the layers.

Determine the area of your attic.

Determine how much insulation you’ll need in your attic by multiplying the length times the width to get the square footage, or use our Roll Insulation Calculator. When you purchase your insulation, keep in mind that rolls are good for long, continuous runs. Batts are best for small spaces.

Water damage to roof and batt insulation.

Prepare before installation. Remove and replace any existing insulation that’s in bad shape, has been compressed, or has mold on it. If you have a mold problem, fix it before installing the insulation. If you see signs of roof damage, call a professional.


Caution […]

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