Insulate your exterior walls with confidence using these helpful tips.
In exterior walls, kraft-faced fiberglass insulation helps control temperature and humidity inside the structure.
Awell-insulated homekeeps everyone comfortable and happy.
You may want to add it to the walls of your upstairs area to help deaden sound between rooms.
Below, we’ll help you understand how insulation works and how to install it yourself.
Protective clothing is one line of defense: long pants and sleeves, collar and cuffs buttoned.
Choose a dust mask specially designed to filter fiberglass particles.
Thin leather gloves block irritants while still permitting you to handle tools easily.
Another way to avoid discomfort is to select insulation that’s designed to minimize itching.
Fiberglass insulation comes sized to fit between studs that are either 16 or 24 inches on center.
For sound control, the paper facing is not necessary but provides a convenient flap for stapling.
The facing is a vapor retarder, meant to slow the migration of water vapor through the wall.
If the sheathing is damp from condensation, it eventually wets the insulation, decreasing its effectiveness.
Damp sheathing also is prone to rot.
When you reach the end of the wall, cut off the insulation.
Weave additional lengths of insulation in the same manner on top of each other until the wall is filled.
