Insulation FAQ

Can I install insulation myself?

It is possible for someone without construction or contracting experience to put in insulation. You can easily lay down rolls or blankets of insulation on the floors of your attic, and there is very little difficulty in nailing or stapling insulation to a garage or attic wall. However, the joints and beams of walls and ceilings can still allow cold air to seep in. Blown-in insulation can help solve this problem, but the best option you have is to use blown-in insulation by itself in the attic. That is a job you should really leave to a profession, as they have the equipment and experience.

If you are looking to insulate underneath an existing wall or in an unreachable cavity, it is almost impossible to do it yourself without ruining your wall or causing some damage. It is difficult to remove siding, put insulation in perfectly, and put the siding back as it was. In general, it is best to leave insulating to professionals. You won’t necessarily pay significantly more, and it is usually worth saving yourself and your house the damage.

If I am building a new house, what insulation considerations should I make?

To save yourself future insulation and heating problems, when you are building a new house make sure to take steps to include as many energy-saving features as possible. The best way to do this is to read the government-issued Model Energy Code.

Are there any other places I should consider insulating?

One of the most overlooked places when putting down insulation is ductwork for your heating and air-conditioning system. Any pipe, duct, or tube that runs through an unheated space should definitely be insulated. Cold or hot air can easily “contaminate” your living space. Before insulating any air pathway, however, make sure there are no leaks that can defeat the purpose of insulating.

Can different forms of insulation be used together?

Different types of insulation can and regularly are used together. For example, if you’ve already put blown-in insulation into an attic and you feel you need more insulation, you can put down blanket rolls. The reverse is also true; blown-in insulation can supplement insulation batts. However, never put higher-density insulation over lower-density insulation, since it will reduce the total R-Value of the wall or ceiling that you’re insulating.