Installing insulation in your ceiling space is one of the most effective ways of insulating your home, reducing your heating and cooling bills, and helping to prevent the buildup of condensation or mold on your ceiling. Fiberglass batt insulation is a common building material that is straightforward to install. If you have an easily accessible attic space, you have good balance and you don't mind working in cramped quarters, insulating your ceiling is a very worthwhile home improvement task.
Instructions
1. Measure the area of your attic to determine the number of bales of batt insulation you need. A batt insulation R value of R-30 or higher is best for attic insulation. If you live in a colder climate, the higher the R value, the better.
2. Clear your attic space of cobwebs and debris. Lay down the piece of plywood over your ceiling structure as a movable platform to work from. So as to not damage your ceiling, be careful to only stand on the wood ceiling structure, not on the ceiling lining itself. Install a halogen work light in the attic space to illuminate your work area properly.
3. Move the bales of insulation up to the attic one by one, and open the bags when they are in the attic. Fiberglass insulation expands a lot when released from the bags. Wear safety goggles, gloves and a mask respirator while you work with the batt insulation.
4. Start from the exterior wall line and work your way in by stuffing the insulation between the ceiling joists so that it fits snugly, but not too tightly. Use your Stanley knife to cut the insulation to size if it is too big. Fill all the small gaps in the ceiling structure you can.
5. Install attic vents at the eaves of your roof to provide unobstructed ventilation to your roof space. Fill your roof overhang with batt insulation as far as you can.
6. Carefully install batt insulation around your recessed light fittings in the ceiling, leaving a 3-inch gap around each light fitting. Covering your light fittings will cause excess heat to build up in your insulation. Also, leave a gap around air vents and chimney flues.
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