Find the Best Method for Installing Insulation in Your Home or Office

There are many manuals on how to install insulation, but installing insulation is never a cut and dry process. It is individual and unique for every home. There are also many types of insulation that fulfill different needs. Despite these variations in insulation needs, there are still a few basic guidelines that will serve you no matter the insulation type.

- Gaps allow air leakage, so fit the insulation snugly into the allotted space.

- Do not compress the insulation, as this will greatly decrease the R-value, or thermal resistance.

- Always begin by installing insulation over the framing members of a wall. Insulation is most effective when it maintains a continuous coverage over the joists. The amount of coverage needed is always dependent on factors such as pre-existing insulation, the new insulation's R-value, and the climate in your geographic location.

- Insulate the attic door to prevent loss of heat into the attic space. Installing insulation is very important in the attic.

- Every house has a recommended thickness according to climate, shape, and material preference. Consult with professionals in your area to find out the optimal thickness of insulation for you home.

- Seal all edges of the insulation with tape, foam, or caulk.

There are many different types of insulation materials that require specific methods of installation:

Batts and Rolls: When we think of installing insulation made of fiberglass insulation batts we usually think of pink fiberglass batts. Fiberglass installation can be quite simple, but it requires multiple steps such as caulking, installing housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping the joints. The batts come in standardized widths of 15-23 inches to fit between the exposed joists of an unfinished wall. Use a measuring tape to carefully measure the length of the wall. This is important because any empty spaces leave the house victim to air leakage and heat loss or gain. Fit the batt snugly between the joists and staple it to the exposed studs. Be careful not to compress the batts. This decreases the R-value of the fiberglass. When the batt is in place, you then need to tape or caulk it so there are no cracks.

Loose-Fill and Blown-In Insulation: The typical materials for loose-fill and blown-in insulation are fiberglass, rock wool or slag wool, and cellulose. Rock wool, slag wool, and cellulose can be installed dry or wet. Installing insulation dry is best for an enclosed cavity in your wall or attic, while wet or dampened insulation is good for both open and enclosed cavities, but generally wet insulation is used in open cavities. It is recommended that a professional do this installation because it is tricky to properly fill the spaces completely so that no settling occurs which decreases the R-value. You need a special machine called a "hopper." It has a body to hold the insulation and a hose to spray the insulation. Installing insulation requires at least two people to work the hopper, one to hold the main body and insert the insulation, while the other one holds the hose. For an enclosed cavity, cut a hole near the top of the cavity the same width as the opening of the hose. Insert the hose about two inches from the bottom of the cavity and begin filling the cavity until the hopper backs itself up. Then pull the hose back a couple inches and fill the cavity until the hopper backs up again. Repeat this process until the cavity is full to overflowing. It is important to make sure the space is overflowing to avoid settling. Then replace the hole in the wall and seal it with a special adhesive.

Installing insulation of wet or dampened Cellulose or Rock Wool is a bit trickier. Water and adhesive are added to the rock wool, slag wool, or cellulose. Make sure the mixture is not too wet. If you can squeeze water out of a handful then it is too wet. The damp insulation is sprayed even in the open cavity to overflowing. This is not as easy as it sounds. It takes great finesse to spray it evenly with no gaps or air bubbles. It takes at least a day for the insulation to dry. A professional will measure the Moisture Content (MC) using a moisture meter to assure that the moisture of the fiber has dropped below 25%. When the insulation is fully dry the excess is scraped off, or "screed," to create a flat surface over which the walls can be finished with dry wall and the home or business owners can decorate how they please.

Installing insulation of Open-Cell or Closed-Cell Polyurethane Spray Foam is very similar to wet cellulose or rock wool, and much simpler than installing fiberglass insulation which takes many steps. You carefully spray the foam till it evenly coats the open cavity and fills it to overflowing. When the foam is dry, it can be screed just like the wet cellulose or rock wool.

All of these processes are very common but they are also very messy. Wet blown-in insulation, especially, and foam can look like your home was hit by a hurricane. Make sure to put up plastic sheeting everywhere you want to protect against a wet, sticky, permanent substance. And be precise about what you cover, you'll be surprised at how far and fast the insulation can spray if you're not prepared for it.

Installing fiberglass insulation is potentially hazardous to your health. Installing fiberglass insulation is not messy, but it is literally made out of tiny fibers of glass that will irritate your skin and eyes if touched and cause breathing problems if breathed in. Also, the gasses in foams contain toxins that are also bad for your lungs. While installing any of these types of insulation please where goggles, a breathing mask, a long sleeved shirt, and gloves.

A safe, simple, and quick alternative to all the insulations we have discussed is Therma-Comfort reflective insulation or radiant barrier. Therma-Comfort makes installing insulation easy. Therma-Comfort comes in rolls of thin sheets of layered heat sealed bubbles encased in 99% aluminum foil. It's a unique design and technology that works effectively and efficiently to reflect 97% of radiant heat, which is the largest source of heat loss or gain in the home. Therma-Comfort is also a vapor barrier with 0.000 water vapor permeance. Whereas, fiberglass requires separately installing vapor barrier between the joists before the fiberglass is eventually installed.

Therma-Comfort is an excellent choice for insulation and has an application for virtually every aspect of installing insulation for the home such as roofs, attics, garages, walls, heating and cooling systems, plumbing pipes, basements, crawlspaces, under floors, and under slabs. We have detailed product guides that will instruct you step by step on how to install insulation according to whatever your needs might be. It is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project. The insulation is lightweight, easy to handle, clean, and non-toxic, unlike the insulation types that we have just mentioned. You simply need a straight edge and a knife or scissors to cut the Therma-Comfort.

Here are some brief tips on radiant barrier installation for almost every possible area in the home. You can also find these instructions in our Therma-Comfort product guide.

For your Roof:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Foil (FDBF) is a double layer of heat sealed bubbles surrounded by aluminum foil. This particular Therma-Comfort foil is recommended for all roofing needs as an optimal radiant and vapor barrier. The double layer of bubbles provides optimal R-value as well as a vapor barrier to eliminate condensation.

Various methods of installing insulation for your roof:

1. Install Therma-Comfort FDBF above and below the purlins creating a larger air space between the two sheets of FDBF. The top sheet between the roof decking and the purlins must sag 3/4" to 1 1/2", while the bottom sheet attached to the bottom of the purlins is pulled tight and remains flat.

2. Install Therma-Comfort FDBF below the purlins, allowing a larger air space between the FDBF and the unfaced mass insulation. There is no sag for this application. The FDBF is pulled tight across the bottoms of the purlins.

3. Retrofit for Roof: Attach the FDBF to the bottom of the rafters or trusses with staples and secure the seams with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Be sure to allow 2 inches free at the bottom of the rafters for ventilation.

4. Purlins or Flush Frame Roof: Tack fasten the FDBF to the purlins, ensuring that enough insulation is draped between the purlins to sag approximately 3/4", creating an air space between the roof decking and the FDBF. After about 4 feet of the FDBF is fastened, attach the roof sheeting over that area, ensuring that all adjoining seams are taped with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Repeat the previous steps for the next section, always leaving the ridge vent exposed.

For the Walls:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Foil (FDBF) is recommended for insulation in your walls.

Installing Wall Insulation:

1. Purlins or Flush Frame Application: Wrap Therma-Comfort FDBF around the inside of the framework and fasten the foil to the outside of each girt. Leave enough FDBF between the girts to allow the it to bow inward about 3/4", creating an enclosed air space.

2. Typical Residential Wall*: Apply 1x3 strapping running horizontally (at 16" on centre) to the stud facings, running the length of the wall. Then fasten the FDBF to the strapping with staples and secure the seams with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Apply more 1x3 strapping running vertically (at 16" on centre) on top of the FDBF, running the length of the wall. Then fasten the interior finish to the vertical strapping.

*Special Note: This system has an average R-value of R-37 at a horizontal heat flow. Without Therma-Comfort this system would need 6 inches of another insulation type and would have an R-value of only R-27.

For Ceilings:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Foil (FDBF) and Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly (FDBP) are both effective as ceiling insulators. FDBP is a double layer of heat sealed bubbles sandwiched between a 99% aluminum foil sheet and a white polyethylene surface. The white layer is water resistant, easy to keep clean, and provides a finished appearance to the interior of your home. It creates a break between the ground and the under slab, it's an excellent floor warmer, ideal for radiant floors, crawlspaces, under carpet and hardwood underlay.

Installing Insulation for Ceilings:

1. Typical Ceilings*: Fasten the FDBP to the bottom of the joists with staples, with the white polyethylene side of the Therma-Comfort facing the mass insulation. Tape the seams and then attach 1x3 strapping (at 16" centre) to the FDBP, running the length of the ceiling. Last, fasten the interior finish to the strapping on the FDBP.

2. Typical Basement Ceiling or Heated Crawlspace: Measure the Therma-Comfort FDBF and fasten it to the bottom of the joists with staples. Use Therma-Comfort reflective tape to securely seal the seams if you hope to use it as a vapor barrier.

*Special Note: The average R-value of this system is rated at R-42 when the heat flow is up, and R-47.5 when the heat flow is down. Without Therma-Comfort, this system requires 10 inches of mass insulation and has an R-value of R-38.

For Block or Concrete Walls:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Foil (FDBF) is recommended for block or concrete walls.

Installing Insulation for Block or Concrete Walls:

Typical Block or Concrete Wall: Apply 2x3 studs vertically (at 16" or 24" on centre) to the block or concrete wall. Measure the FDBF and attach it to the inside facing of the studs with staples. Ensure that equal air spaces are maintained on either side of the FDBF and secure all seams with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Last, attach the interior finish of the stud facing.

For Under Slabs:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly (FDBP) is recommended for application under slabs.

Installing Insulation for Under Slabs:

Apply the FDBP on top of the gravel and ensure that the white polyethylene side is facing towards the concrete slab. Secure all seams with Therma-Comfort reflective tape, then pour the slab on top.

For Existing Slabs:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly (FDBP) is recommended for application on existing slabs.

Installing Insulation for Existing Slabs:

Apply the FDBP to the concrete slab with the white polyethylene side facing down. Secure all seams with Therma-Comfort reflective tape, then apply the floor sheathing.

For Heating Ducts:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Foil (FDBF) and Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly (FDBP) are both effective as heating duct insulators.

Installing Insulation for Heating Ducts:

1. Lineal Duct Wrap: Cut 2" spacer strips of Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Foil and secure them around the body of the duct using Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Wrap the FDBF around the duct and secure all seams with tape.

2. Spiral Duct Wrap: Wrap the duct with Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly with a 1" overlap at all times so no air space or duct is exposed. Fasten the FDBP to each end of the duct using Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Also, tape all exposed adjoining seams for perfect airtight applications.

For Pipe Wrap:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly (FDBP) is recommended for pipe wrap.

Installing Insulation for Pipe Wrap:

1. Lineal Pipe Wrap: Cut a length of pipe wrap from the Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly roll and apply it to the pipe with the white polyethylene side on the pipe. Pre-shape the pipe wrap by wrapping it around the pipe and seal all seams with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. (R-3.8, Heat flow down)

2. Spiral Pipe Wrap: Wrap the pipe with Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly with the foil side facing outwards. Ensure that a 1" overlap is maintained at all times so that no air spaces or pipe is exposed. Fasten the FDBP to each end of the pipe using Therma-Comfort reflective tape and secure all exposed adjoining seams with tape. (R-3.8, Heat flow down)

For Radiant Floors:

Therma-Comfort Foil Double Bubble Poly (FDBP) and Therma-Comfort Single Bubble Foil Single Bubble (SBFSB) are recommended for insulation in radiant floors.

Installing Insulation for Radiant Floors:

1. In Concrete Floor: Unroll the FDBP or SBFSB over the sand or gravel. Butt the seams and seal them with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Install radiant heating and then pour concrete as usual. (R-3.8, Heat flow down)

2. Under or Between Wood Joists: Unroll and staple the FDBP or SBFSB under the floor joists. Seal the joints and outer edges with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. (R-3.8, Heat flow down)

3. Over Wood or Existing Floor: Unroll the FDBP or SBFSB over the existing wood floor. Butt the seams together and seal them with Therma-Comfort reflective tape. Install the radiant heating and then pour concrete over as usual. (R-3.8, Heat flow down)

Therma-Comfort was designed with great care and research to ensure that our customers received the best insulation for their dollar. Installing insulation should not be a huge burden, it should be a simple step in creating a comfortable, energy efficient, and cost effective home that will protect you and your family from the elements for years to come. We stand behind every product we sell and would love to hear from you. Please call us at (951) 675-1207 if you have any questions or concerns about installing insulation. We can offer you a price quote and assist you in your important decisions on the best insulation type for your home.