Do-It-Yourself Insulation Installation Instructions

 

In order to get the stated R-value, it is essential that insulation be installed properly.

 

Whether or not you install the insulation yourself may depend on:

• If the space you want to insulateTo cover with a material of low conductivity in order to reduce the passage or leakage of heat, reduce the surface temperature, or reduce the noise emanating from the object. is open and accessible (i.e. unfinished attics or basements)
• The type of material you want to use (battsPre-cut pieces of insulation in standard sizes; batts may have a facing of kraft paper, aluminum foil or poly (plastic) or no facing at all. or rolls are typically installed by homeowners while other types of insulation typically require professional installers)
• Your level of construction skill and experience

Remember in order to get the stated R-value it is essential that insulation be installed properly.

Installing Batt Insulation

Fiber glassA material consisting of glass fibers used in making various products, including yarns, fabrics, insulation, and structural objects or parts. Fiber glass is resistant to heat and fire., rock woolA synthetic vitreous fiber insulation made by melting predominantly igneous rock and other inorganic materials, and then physically forming them melt into fibers. See Mineral Wool. and slag woolMan-made material made primarily from iron ore blast furnace slag. batt insulation is easy to use and requires very few tools. Listed below are NAIMANorth American Insulation Manufacturers Association, a trade organization representing manufacturers of fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulation products in North America. publications that provide insulation installation recommendations covering topics such as types of insulation, installation techniques, and detailed installation instructions for celings, attics, walls, floors, basement walls and crawl space walls.

Installing Loose-Fill InsulationInsulation in granular, nodular, fibrous, powdery or similar form designed to be installed by pouring, blowing or hand placement.

The installation process for loose-fill insulation is more involved than for batts or rolls because a blowing machine is required. Cellulose insulation must be over-installed to account for settling after it is put in.

How To Install Insulation Video Series

NAIMA has worked with the California Energy Commission to produce the following "How To" videos for insulating ceilings and walls with fiber glass insulation.

• Questions and Answers About Home Insulation (BI409)
• Recommendations for Installing Insulation in Residential and Other Light-Frame Construction (Fiber Glass Loose-Fill Insulation) (BI403)
• Building Insulation: A Performance Comparison (BI502)
• Recomendaciones Para Instalacion en Construcciones Residenciales y Otras de Entramado Liviano (Aislamiento de Fibra de Vidrio de Relleno Suelto) (BI403SP)
• Recomendaciones Para Instalacion en Construcciones Residenciales y Otras de Entramado Liviano (Aislamiento de Fibra de Vidrio para Edificios) (BI402SP)
• Recommendations for Installing Insulation in Residential and Other Light-Frame Construction (Fiber Glass Home Insulation) (BI402)