How to Add Extra Insulation to Your Home

Apply an extra layer of insulation to the attic to improve efficiency.

House insulation can always be improved. Houses are built to the code current to their time, but insulation is constantly being improved by manufacturers. Adding additional insulation in certain spots in the home such as the attic makes it more energy efficient. If you have an older home, adding insulation to the walls might be beneficial since the building codes have changed over the years.

Things You'll Need

• Rolled batting insulation
• Utility knife
• Staple gun
• Wire
• Drill
• Screws
• Hole saw
• Loose insulation
• Insulation blowing equipment
• Wood strips
• 2-inch screws
• Drywall compound
• Small trowel
• Sandpaper

Instructions

1. Roll out batting insulation across your attic so that it lays across the joists. This way it won't compact the insulation that is lying between the joists. Adding an extra layer of insulation in the attic covers up many gaps.

2. Cut the insulation to stop at the ends near the house walls. In addition, cut the material when you come to obstacles. You must not put insulation up against potential fire hazards such as light housing for fixtures on the floor below. In this case, keep the insulation 6 inches away.

3. Add insulation under the home if you have a crawl space. Install it the same as the attic insulation, with it running perpendicular to the floor joists. Staple the insulation in place on each floor joist. The material has tabs on the sides for you to attach to the joists.

4. Run wire along each floor joist as an extra support for the hanging insulation. Drill screws into the joists between the batting rolls, and wrap the wire around the screws as you string it from one end of the joist to the other. Repeat with each joist.

5. Drill holes on the inside of the exterior walls of the house in between each stud. A stud finder can locate the studs for you. Make the holes about 1 foot from the top of the wall and wide enough for the hose of a loose insulation blowing machine. You can pick the machine up at an equipment rental store. Cut the holes with a hole saw and keep the drywall pieces.

6. Insert the hose into a hole and point it downward. Turn the machine on for about one minute and fill the space with loose insulation. Repeat with each hole.

7. Repair the holes. Insert wood strips into each hole that are 4 inches longer than the hole. You can cut the strips with a power saw. Hold the strips in the hole while you drill a screw through the wall and into each end of the wood. Slide the piece of drywall into the hole up against the wood, and drill a drywall screw through the repair piece and into the wood to secure it.

8. Cover the patch with drywall compound using a small trowel and let it dry. Repeat the process with each hole. Sand the material smooth the next day.

References

• Energy Star: Adding Attic Insulation
• Easy2DIY: Insulating an Unfinished Attic
• North American Insulation Manufacturers: Residential Home Insulation