Insulation is one of the most important parts of any home. It not only helps keep it at a premier temperature throughout each season, but it helps you save energy to reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, proper insulation can help extend the life of your home and knowing where to put it is key. Here, our experts explain how to insulate a house in detail.
First, begin by making a list of the most important areas to insulate:
- Between the attic and the roof
- Between the floor and the basement/crawl space
- Inside exterior walls
- Between the ceiling and the attic
- In garage walls (optional)
After that, follow these next basic steps to install your insulation:
- Start by examining the wall area for holes or cracks.
- If you find any holes or cracks, fill them in with spray foam insulation.
- After that, spray an even amount of insulation into the areas where the walls meet stud supports and let it dry.
- Fill in any gaps between your floors and your walls with silicone caulk.
- For areas with light switches or electrical outlets that protrude into your home’s living space (such as an attic or garage), seal the perimeter using silicone caulk: Run a bead of caulk around the area and around holes where wires enter and exit.
- After that, wet your finger and smooth down the caulk.
- Once all holes and gaps are filled in, start insulating by firmly pushing the top of an insulation batt into the top of the stud bay.
- Continue pushing the batt into the bay until you reach the bottom.
- Repeat the installations along the length of the wall.
- If you run into any obstructions (such as an electrical box), use a utility knife to split the side of the batt. Then, tuck the back of the batt underneath the box. Cut the batt above the box and curl the cut piece into the rest of the insulation.
- Once all of your insulation is in place, you can install drywall, plywood, flooring, or your ceiling over top of it.