What Kind Of Insulation Do I Need For Exterior Walls

A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.

What kind of insulation do i need for exterior walls.

These will give the walls a slightly more finished look and you won t have the itchy fibers of the insulation exposed and ready to catch dust at all times. Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great diy way to add some insulation. Because they have a high r value and can be used nearly anywhere in your home foam boards are one of the most common types of insulation. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

How to select insulation. Often you may have insulation in the walls but the insulation has become moldy and damp over the years greatly reducing its effectiveness. Calculate the quantity of insulation you should buy. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.

Turn off the electricity then remove an electrical outlet cover for a view of exterior insulation. It comes in standard size 4 8 sheets and smaller sizes in many different thicknesses from 1 4 inch to 2 inches. Do this in conjunction with fixing exterior wall problems that caused the dampness in the first place. Determine how much additional insulation r value you need.

Check garage walls and ceilings that are adjacent to conditioned spaces. The most effective places to add it to older homes are usually attics basements and crawl spaces. Check behind knee walls which are walls between living spaces and the garage or attic. Exterior walls and floors.

Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available but they may need to be special ordered. It may look easy to go buy some packs of rigid insulation panels down at the. Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. Determine the type of insulation you need.

Determine where you need to add insulation. Best for floors foundation and basement walls interior and exterior wall sheathing and low sloped ceilings. When you reach the end of the wall cut off the insulation. How to insulate house walls from the outside.

Weave loosely to fill the cavity but tightly enough so you won t have to compress the insulation when you install drywall. Remove and dispose of that old insulation and install new insulation. If the walls and ceiling will remain open not covered with drywall or plywood it s a good idea to use paper faced or encapsulated fiberglass bats that are wrapped in a plastic film. Not every wall does.