Exterior Wall Insulation
If your home remodeling project involves exposing the exterior walls of your home, take advantage of the situation to isolate (or re-insulate) the walls before closing them back up. Older homes are often poorly insulated or uninsulated at all, and you will be amazed at the difference you can make in your heating and cooling bills. Insulation with regular paper backing fits standard walls that have poles 16 inches apart. If the wall configuration is different from that, consult your home improvement store to find out what type of insulation you need.
Instructions
- Measure the height of the wall studs.
- Pull the length of the insulating glass fiber from the roll and lay it out, paper up. Measure your length. Place a carpenter’s square on the insulation surface on which the measurement. Cut along the square by pressing down the level to compress the insulation so you can cut through the paper and the fiberglass in one go.
- Adjust the insulation band on the wall, between the first two nails, with the paper side of the fiberglass and the side facing the opposite wall.
- Hold the extended edge of the paper on one side against the side of the beam, with the paper lined up with the top of the beam (but not sitting on its front edge).
- Secure the piece to the wooden posts with staples each foot or 16 inches. Repeat the process for the other edge of the piece, along the other beam.
- Do the same for the space between each two uprights along the outer wall. Use your razor to cut the insulation around electrical boxes and other obstructions.
Tips & Warnings
- Wear an evening mask and cloth gloves when handling insulation.