Long sleeves, a dust mask and gloves are required wear for installing fiberglass insulation.
Insulation provides a thermal barrier between the interior and exterior of a home. Condensation can occur when moisture passes through the walls which then provides an ideal growing environment for mold. A vapor barrier prevents the passage of moisture and keeps mold from growing inside the wall. Some insulation products come with a coated, Kraft paper backing that can serve as the vapor barrier, but it is easily torn which makes it ineffective. A better solution is to install plastic sheeting along with the insulation.
Instructions
Installing Fiberglass Insulation
1. Measure from the floor to the ceiling to determine the length of insulation to cut. Measure the width between studs to find the insulation width.
2. Unroll the insulation and measure it to the correct length. Lay a 2-by-4 straightedge across the insulation, press it down then cut the insulation. If the width needs to be trimmed, use the same procedure along its length.
3. Place the cut piece of insulation between the studs, starting at the top of the wall and working down. Do not compact the insulation. Place the insulation behind pipes and wiring then cut it so the pipe or wire sits inside the insulation, not in front of it. The insulation should be flush with the front of the studs.
4. Make cutouts for outlets or other objects that are slightly smaller to accommodate them. You want the insulation to fit snugly around them without gaps. Continue cutting and installing the insulation until the entire wall is covered.
Installing a Plastic Vapor Barrier
5. Measure the width and height of the wall. Lay plastic sheeting on the floor and measure it, marking the width and height of the wall but adding an additional foot to the measurements. Cut the plastic sheeting to the oversize measurements with a pair of scissors and test-fit it on the wall.
6. Staple the plastic sheeting to the wall studs with a staple gun. Keep the sheeting taut to avoid excessive sagging or wrinkling. A helper can make this easier. Leave some slack at the corners to prevent tearing when the wall sheathing is installed.
7. Create a continuous vapor barrier by connecting the vapor barrier at adjoining walls and sheets with plastic tape. Allow the plastic sheets to overlap by 1 to 2 feet and tape the overlaps. Trim the vapor barrier along the floor and ceiling with the scissors.
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