How to Install Fiberglass Blanket Insulation

Adding insulation to your house can make your your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer for less money. One of the most common types of insulation is a fiberglass blanket. Here's how to install one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Wear gloves, a long sleeved shirt, and pants to prevent the fiberglass insulation from irritating your skin.

2. Take the fiberglass blanket insulation and cut it with a utility knife to be the same width as the distance between studs. Often the insulation will come this width, but always trim for narrow openings. Squeezing it in will actually decrease the effectiveness of your insulation.

3. Cut the fiberglass blanket to fit around any electrical boxes. If there are wires or pipes cut the blanket cut it on a plane parallel to the wall and put half the insulation behind the pipes and half in front.

4. Use any scraps of the fiberglass blanket insulation in gaps around door and window jambs.

5. Next apply a vapor barrier over the insulation. This is generally a plastic sheeting. Use a staple gun to attach it to the Studs every foot or so. Overlap pieces by 16", and seal it with packaging tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear a mask when you install fiberglass blanket insulation.