- 1). Measure the height of the wall space from floor to ceiling, then count the number of spaces between wall studs. Multiply the height by the number of spaces to determine the amount (in feet) of insulation that you will need. Add 5 to 10 percent to account for waste and mistakes.
- 2). Purchase batts of fiberglass insulation. Ideally the batts should be as wide as the space between the wall studs, typically either 16 or 24 inches. If in doubt, purchase wider batts than you need and plan to trim.
- 3). Put on protective clothing, work gloves, goggles and a particle mask. Fiberglass insulation is made of tiny glass fibers woven together into a fluffy mass. These fibers will cause major irritation to your skin, eyes and lungs.
- 4). Open the first batt and allow it to expand for a few minutes. The batts are compressed into rolls, and you want to measure and cut it only after it reaches its full size.
- 5). Press a straightedge against the batt and to use as a guide. Cut the fiberglass with a sharp utility knife. The batt should be slightly longer and wider than the space between wall studs.
- 6). Gently press the fiberglass batt in place between wall studs, filling the entire space. Don't press too hard or you will compress the fiberglass, reducing its effectiveness.
- 7). Split batts down the middle when you encounter pipes and wires. Half of the batt should go behind the pipe, and the other half in front.
- 8). Cut the front half of batts to fit around electrical boxes, sliding the back half behind them.
- 9). Save scraps of insulation to tuck into gaps around door and window frames. Use a paint stick to work the insulation in place.
- 10
Insulate all walls in the room following the steps described above. - 11
Use a staple gun to secure sheets of 6-mil plastic sheeting over the fiberglass, stretching them from ceiling to floor. The individual sheets should overlap by several inches. This will provide a vapor barrier, preventing moisture from getting into the room.
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