Putting Insulation In Walls

In some cases the cost of adding insulation may exceed the cost of energy needed to heat or cool it.

Putting insulation in walls.

Don t wrap fiberglass batts around electrical boxes or stuff full batts behind them. Walls both exterior and interior are the next area to insulate in a home. The grade of batting will vary depending on the wall that you re insulating. The structural elements are usually exposed in these areas which makes it easy to see what type of insulation you have and to measure its depth or thickness inches.

The batts are precut to fit into cavities on standard 8 foot high walls. The r value of the batt measures the thermal resistance so the higher the r value the more effectively. Insulation in house exterior walls is one of the primary defenses against heat and energy loss. Choose fiberglass insulation batting.

Unfortunately however builders didn t insulate the walls of most homes built before the 1980s. Put the batt in place and use a scissors to snip around the box. The third area that needs proper insulation is the floors. Staple the flanges of faced insulation to the interior faces of the wall studs or stud edges.

While rated differently these two types of insulation are close enough in thickness that they can both fit into modern two by four wall systems. Tuck the snipped out plug of insulation behind the box. All kraft faced insulation is easy to cut with a sharp utility knife or insulation knife. If installing unfaced insulation in unfinished walls such as an interior wall allow friction to hold the insulation in place.

Retrofit wall insulation is a debatable subject because there is no single right answer for all homes and homeowners. Kraft faced or paper faced insulation comes in batts and long rolls. The advantages of insulating interior walls. Insulating interior walls isn.

Fiberglass batts foam or cellulose can be used to insulate the interior walls. Most communities have building codes that require a minimum amount of insulation in a house s exterior walls and ceiling. Check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement. That creates gaps and air convection routes around the box.

So if your house was built before insulating walls became standard you can potentially save a great deal of energy by insulating. When stapling avoid stretching the facing too tightly overcompressing the insulation or creating gaps or puckers. Roll insulation is best for floors ceilings and roofs with a long joist or rafter bays and for tall walls. There are various grades of insulating batting for different locations in the house so you ll need a different insulation for interior exterior attic or basement walls.