Adding Insulation To Attic Diy

3 have a friend add material to the hopper.

Adding insulation to attic diy. How much does attic insulation cost. You will also need a strong board to kneel on that will span the joists. These insulation levels will keep heated air from migrating out in winter. To install it just lay it across the joists.

See below for a shopping list and tools. Add the right kind of insulation. Use caulk and expanding foam the fire blocking type sealant to close air gaps around pipes ducts and electrical wires where they enter the attic. You can add loose fill on top of fiberglass batts or blankets and vice versa.

Check the attic walls and floors adjacent to an unheated space like a garage or basement. To make insulating an attic easier grab a helper and set aside two days. In a cooling climate a good blanket of attic insulation helps keep the house cooler and reduces the load on air conditioning equipment. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type.

Before installing or adding attic insulation take these steps. If you need to add insulation in your attic save big by blowing in cellulose insulation yourself. You can do it yourself for about 500. To add insulation to the attic floor you will require enough blanket material to do the job a heavy duty shop vacuum plastic sheeting for covering the blanket material that will insulate the attic opening a heavy duty staple gun and utility scissors with long blades.

The structural elements are usually exposed in these areas which makes it easy to see what type of insulation you have and to measure its depth or thickness inches. One for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation. This old house general contractor tom silva and host kevin o connor demonstrate the proper way to insulate an attic. Block all vents in the attic floor with baffles making sure to extend the baffles at least four inches above the planned thickness of your insulation.

Choose your insulation type and material 1. Cut and fit strips of 24 gauge sheet metal between the masonry chimney and the surrounding wood framing. Loose fill insulation fibers are packaged in bags and blown in place to the desired depth and density using special. Blowing attic insulation isn t hard but it s dusty sweaty work.

Use the fire blocking type. Typically houses in warm weather states should have an r 38 insulation in the attic whereas houses in cold climates should have r 49. Keep adding layers until you get to r 38.