Insulation which way up

To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Learn how to beef up your wall's weather protection in 4 easy steps. Q: I'd like to add insulation to a wall during a renovation.

What should I keep in mind? Tom Silva replies: Filling walls with a fluffy layer of fiberglass insulation is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make your home more energy efficient. All it takes is a utility knife, a straightedge, and a little patience to make sure the insulation completely fills the stud cavity, side to side and top to bottom, without being overly compressed.

Fiberglass is easy to cut, so if your stud spacing is irregular, buy batts that will fill the widest bays, and trim the rest to fit. When you're ready to begin, protect your skin, eyes, and lungs by wearing a long-sleeve shirt, pants, gloves, safety glasses, and dust mask. This insulation product is designed to slow heat transfer and enhance acoustical performance.

It also works as a barrier for methane, radon, vapor, termites and other vermin. Which side does vapor barrier go on? In order to prevent condensation from forming, a vapor barrier should be placed on the warm side of your insulation to stop warm, moist air from condensing on a cold surface inside your wall.

In cold climates like Canada, for most of the year the vapor barrier should be on the inside of the insulation. How do you install faced insulation? How to Install Kraft-Faced Insulation Cut the insulation roll or batt to fit the length of the framing cavity, if necessary.

Fold out the paper flange along one side of the insulation. Where should reflective insulation be used? In warmer climates, it is common to add reflective insulation in the attic to reduce heat transfer from the roof decking to the underlying insulation, reducing overall solar heat gain within a building. How do you install foil backed insulation? Cut AP Foil-Faced foam sheathing to fit snuggly between the rafters. Install AP Foil-Faced foam boards between rafters, directly against the bottom of the roof sheathing.

If the corrugations are such that only about 20 percent of the material is in contact with the roof, it's fine to lay corrugated roofing directly on the foil. If you're installing flat roofing or metal tiles, however, you need to construct a batten structure on top of the foil. Roofers typically use one of a number of batten configurations. The battens can run parallel to the roof ridge or diagonally between the ridge and drip edge.

To ensure that air can circulate, it's important to leave a 2- to 3-inch gap between the ends of the batten boards. Some batten structures consist of two layers, one perpendicular to the ridge and the top layer parallel to it. In this type of double-layer structure, it's permissible to lay the foil insulation between the layers. If you're doing your own roof installation, you won't have any trouble installing a radiant barrier, but there are a few things you should remember.

They will help you complete the job correctly and safely:. To install foil insulation, roll it out parallel to the ridge and cut it with a utility knife, starting at the drip edge and working your way up. Overlap seams by about 3 inches. Secure the barrier to the roof deck with staples to prevent it from blowing off until you attach the battens and the roofing. Foam insulation comes in sheets that you have to butt together on the roof.

After securing these with appropriate fasteners, you need to tape the edges with foil tape. Tape isn't necessary when installing foil insulation. You can add insulation to an existing metal roof by going into the attic and stapling a foil barrier to the rafters. Installing reflective insulation is a process that involves some level of expertise and understanding.

In general, foil insulation installation takes place before a home or office is built. If a property is already completed and not insulated, it can still be insulated through a process known as retrofitting.

In essence, retrofitting is a way to install insulation in the roof, walls and floors of a building after it has been built. The process is more tricky than installing foil insulation during the construction of a property, but can be undertaken if need be.

Reflective foil insulation installation on a roof is usually done in the ceiling, attics, or other spaces that separate the roof from the ceiling. Due to the varying nature of the construction of buildings, each property may require a slightly different approach when installing insulation on the roof. Installing foil insulation in the walls of your building is definitely most easy during the construction phase.

This is because it is difficult to get into the plaster once it is set, without cutting through. As a matter of fact, if you install insulation during the construction phase, it actually speeds up the whole building process.

This is because it protects the inside from rain, meaning work can carry on without bricking or cladwork being complete. For specific information on installing foil insulation, please download the installation guides on our website.

The cost of foil insulation will depend on the quantity purchased, the R value , and the installation costs. To get an accurate quote for your property, contact us on