How to Replace Insulation

Replacing insulation is an easy and money saving way to reduce your home's heating and cooling costs. People with good fiberglass insulation installed will never have to replace the insulation again. The easiest time to replace insulation is during home renovations.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Work clothing
• Insulation
• Staple gun
• Staples
• Measuring tape

1. Purchase the new fiberglass insulation. Look for a brand that suits your home's requirements. The easiest place to buy insulation is from a large home improvement store.

2. Measure between the framing and the studs of the walls to figure out how much insulation needs to go there. The measurement should be taken center to center of the studs. Most houses measure 16 inches as the standard.

3. Put on gloves, a long sleeved shirt, work pants and a mask. These articles of clothing will protect you while working on replacing the insulation.

4. Remove the old insulation. If the insulation is fiberglass, you can typically remove it safely on your own.

5. Place the new insulation in the wall. Use a staple gun to staple the insulation securely into the wall. Use enough staples to make sure that it remains in place.

6. Finish the walls that the new insulation has been placed in. The project is complete once the sheetrock has been placed over the insulation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unsure about replacing the insulation, you should hire a contractor to do it. It can be messy and unsafe for a beginner to handle.

• If you have asbestos insulation, you must have a professional remove it. This type of insulation is a health hazard.