The process of installing insulation varies depending on the insulation material type, form and application. Below is a breakdown of the process for the most commonly used forms.

Installing Blown-in Installation

The process of installing blown-in insulation starts off by measuring to determine the number of bags of insulation you will need for a given area. For attic blown-in insulation applications, you’ll generally be aiming for an insulation depth of 6 inches, so dividing the square footage of your attic by 2 will give you a rough estimate of how many cubic feet you will need.

A special machine that is essentially a vacuum cleaner in reverse is then used to blow the insulation in place. The machine uses a hopper that must stay filled with insulation during the installation, and an agitator at the bottom that prevents clumps from forming. The machine’s blower hose can be anywhere from forty to one hundred feet long, making it easy to reach most areas in the home.

Installing blown-in installation is definitely a two-person job. While the first person maneuvers the hose, the second must make sure the hopper is always fully loaded, and that there are no clogs forming in the blower. Another thing to remember: be sure to plan your exit strategy! The hose operator must start at the point farthest away so he or she can back away as the installation progresses.

Installing Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is the most common type of insulation found in homes built in the last 25 years. Batts are fairly easy to install and can be done relatively quickly.

The first and most critical step in the process is properly measuring the area to be insulated. Batt insulation typically comes in four and eight foot lengths and can be cut to size where needed, so determining the best dimension of batt to use in the beginning will save you more than a few headaches later.

The next step is determining the correct R-value for your needs. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation – and the higher the price. You should choose lower R-values for areas between walls and when insulating strictly for soundproofing. Higher R-values should be used in areas such as attics and crawlspace where energy efficiency is the priority.

Once you have chosen your material and completed your measurements, prepare yourself for the installation. Adequate protection – safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask – should be worn to protect yourself from the irritating material produced by most fiberglass products. Installation is fairly straightforward and will involve tucking, cutting, and fitting around beams, electrical boxes, and the like for a nice tight fit. Once placed, batts are then secured by stapling. It is important to make sure there are no gaps that would allow air to pass through – especially in attic applications – so take special care when installing batts around in-wall items such as electrical boxes and lighting fixtures to ensure there’s no breaks or voids.

Installing Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is applied in a similar manner to that of blown-in insulation, but because of the volatility of the material before and during installation, this can be a fairly tricky and messy process. If you decide to go with spray foam, your best bet is to consult with a professional.

The process of installing spray foam insulation starts once again with taking proper measurements of the area to be insulated . Once this is calculated and the proper amount of liquid foam is on hand, a specialized spray machine is used to apply the insulation. Most foams come out of the machine in liquid form, then quickly expand, providing a nice, air-tight fit. After a few minutes, the foam will be completely dry and quite hard. Overall, the process for installing spray foam is typically much faster than other types of insulation because less prep work is necessary, and there is no need to staple or secure the material once it is in place.