How to Install Insulation in Older Residences

Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide

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Today’s energy needs are a mounting concern for most homeowners. Making sure that your old home is adequately insulated will not only lower energy consumption and costs but also reduce drafts.

Required Materials

Proper insulation
Strappping
6p nails
Plastic sheeting
Staples

Required Tools

Knife
Hammer
Breathing mask
Gloves
Staple gun
Smoke puffer

Step One: Energy Audit

Begin by inspecting the home in question. There are governmental programs working with utility companies that can provide an inspector. Private companies also offer this service for a fee. If you wish to investigate the home, inspect unfinished rooms like the garage, basement and attic with a smoke puffer. Other areas to inspect include dormers, crawl spaces and areas around holes in the wall like light switches.

Step Two: Between Joists

There are several types of insulation that can be used as an insulator between joists. Rolled batting insulation is perhaps the most common insulation type. Blown in insulation, foamed, ridged and reflective insulation are other possibilities. Blown in and foam insulation can be a do-it-yourself project, although a professionally-done installation is a better option.

Using the batting insulation; make sure that the space between the joists is clear of obstruction for a straight run. If HVAC ducting or other mechanicals are in the way, stop the run of insulation and start again after the obstruction is gone. Fill in spaces around the obstruction.

Step Three: Vapor Barrier and Support

Depending upon the situation you may need a vapor barrier. Roll out full lengths of plastic across the joists and staple to joists. However, if you are in a moist climate, do not use this step. If you are insulating a ceiling with joists and a rolled insulation, use strappping at approximately 24″ intervals to keep the insulation in place. Tack the strapping to the joists with 6p nails.

Step Four: Unfinished Basements

In many instances, older homes will have unfinished basements with just the concrete foundation wall showing. Depending upon the age of the home there may be insulation on the exterior of the foundation. Determining this is difficult but digging a hole at the exterior foundation should tell you if there is insulation attached to the foundation.

You have options for an unfinished concrete basement wall when it comes to insulation. The first is ridged board insulation, attached directly to the foundation wall with a ram set (a gun that fires nail like pins into the concrete.) The second involves building a stud system by laying out a sill, studs, electrical and header using the aforementioned ram set for the sill. Use a conventional hammer and nails for nailing of the studs and header. Once you have a wall system in place, insulate as an unfinished space and complete the project by installing wallboard, tape and plaster.

Step Five: Small Spaces

There should be many little spaces around an older home that can be insulated with stripping or small amounts of batting. Two of the common areas include those around power sockets and light switches. Make sure power is turned off when stuff extra batting in place. Also, check the areas around exterior openings like sliding doors and entry doors to garages where strip insulation can be stapled in place.