How to Insulate Pre-Existing Interior Walls

Insulating interior walls is very important, especially in rooms with a lot of windows and openings.

Heating expenses for a home are not as cheap as they used to be. With the cost of utilities on the rise, proper insulation is the key to saving hundreds of dollars each year to heat your home. Considering that your home needs to remain fully functional for you and your family to live in, ripping down the entire wall to add insulation may not seem like a possibility. By using spray insulation, you can completely insulate your entire wall in less than a day.

Things You'll Need

• Spray foam insulation kit
• Drywall saw
• Drywall plaster
• Sandpaper
• Paint to match wall
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Step ladder
• Stud finder
• Drywall screws
• Power screwdriver
• Pencil
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Locate the studs in the wall using the stud finder. Begin at either end and mark every other stud until you reach the farthest end of the wall.

2. Mark the openings to cut. Begin 2 inches below ceiling height and create a 12-inch-long-by 6-inch-high rectangle overlapping the stud so each side of the stud has a 6-inch opening. Repeat this process for each mark placed on the wall to create an outline for each space between the studs.

3. Cut the outlined rectangles from the wall. Use the drywall saw to carefully remove the cut sections from the wall and set sections aside for later use. Repeat this process until each outlined section is removed.

4. Insulate the wall. Insert the spray insulation hose into the hole until the end reaches floor level. Begin to insulate inside the wall, slowly pulling the hose up toward the top of the opening until the entire section is filled with insulation. Remove hose and repeat the filling process on the opposite side of the stud. Continue to insulate each area of the wall until it is completely filled with insulation.

5. Re-cover the openings. Place the cut out section back over the opening and place two drywall screws into each stud to secure the drywall section. Continue to re-hang the drywall sections until each opening is covered.

6. Plaster the openings. Apply a thick layer of plaster around the edge of the cut sections to seal the cut drywall. Allow plaster to dry and sand to a smooth finish. Repeat applying plaster if there are any small cracks or openings.

7. Paint the plaster. Once the plaster has dried completely and has been sanded to a smooth finish, paint over the cut section. Completely cover the plaster until the wall appears normal.

References

• How to Blow Insulation Into a Wall

Resources

• Foam Spray Insulation