How to Install Fiberglass Insulation

Adding insulation can cut your utility bills significantly. Most homeowners can do the work themselves, reducing the costs of the project.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fiberglass Insulation
• Work Gloves
• Work Gloves
• Measuring Tapes
• Portable Clamp Lighting
• Wooden Poles
• Staplers
• Utility Knives
• Boards
• Pollen/dust Masks
• Safety Glasses
• Stepladders
• Utility Blades
• Fiberglass Insulation
• Safety Glasses

1. Make sure that you have the necessary tools ready - tape measure, straightedge, utility knife (with new blades), and a squeeze-type stapler.

2. Consider having the following items available - a pole for pushing insulation into roof rafters and other hard to reach areas, stepladder, boards (for sitting or standing in attic areas with no floor), portable lighting source.

3. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and work gloves - insulation can irritate bare skin.

4. Select an insulation of the appropriate thickness to achieve the R-value you want (R-value is a measure of insulation's effectiveness) and that will fit in the available area.

5. Leave fiberglass insulation in its packaging until you are ready to use it.

6. Place the insulation between studs, joists, and rafters, stapling into place as you go.

7. Stuff scraps of insulation in any open areas where heat loss may occur.

8. Cut insulation as necessary by placing it paper/foil side down and pressing firmly with your straightedge where you want to cut. Use your utility knife to cut the insulation, using the straightedge as a guide.

9. Go back and caulk any cracks or areas around windows and doors where drafts can get through.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using a respirator mask when working.
• Wear eye protection when working.

[thedaver]

on 1/20/2009 NO professional insulator staples the insulation on top of the studs. Insulation is designed for the tabs to be INSIDE!! It's a nightmare for the sheetrockers. They can't measure the middle of the studs 'cause they are all covered up. And the staples prevent the sheetrock from laying flat.

[thedaver]

on 1/20/2009 insulation IS DESIGNED to be stapled on the insides of the studs NOT the face. Plus you screw everything up for the sheetrockers. They can't measure as easily the middle of the studs like they need to. Also, the staples always get in the way of the sheets. NO insulator hangs insulation with the tabs on the studs.

[ACORN12]

on 1/14/2009 You probably want to check for cracks and other penetrations in your attic and seal them with caulk before installing the fiberglass insulation. This will increase its effectiveness.

[plumaith]

on 1/14/2009 my attic already has the reflective insulation; which the reflective portion faces the roof. How can I add additional insulation to what is alredy there?

[AtticGuys]

on 12/30/2008 Most attics have been neglected for years and have suffered from remodeling, re-roofing, or rodent contamination. In these cases homeowners should consider hiring a professional to remove old insulation and install new insulation. Especially in cases of rodent infestations, even the CDC recommends to "Take precautions before and during clean up of rodent-infested areas." http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning_up/index.htm

Attic Guys is a professional Cleaning and Decontamination Service. We are experts at any type of attic cleanup that homeowners may need. Give us a call for a free inspection 949-585-9300 or visit our website http://www.atticguys.com for more information on Cleaning your attic.