For additional information, read the following NAIMA items: Facts About Ventilation & Moisture Control Facts About Covering Vapor Retarders Installing Batt Insulation    (Spanish Version) Installing Loose-Fill Insulation    (Spanish Version) Labeling & Advertising of Home Insulation ICAA Technical Bulletin Use of Vapor Retarders
	Click here to view our online insulation videos that provide valuable "how to" information from industry professionals.

Doing It Yourself

Whether or not you install the insulation yourself depends on:

• If the space you want to insulate is open and accessible (i.e. unfinished attics or basements)
• The type of materials you want to use (batts are typically done by homeowners, other types typically need a professional)

• Your level of construction skill and experience

But, remember, that in order to get the stated R-value, it is essential that insulation be installed properly. 

Installing Batt Insulation

Fiber glass and mineral wool batt insulation is easy to use and requires very few tools. Click here for detailed information about installing batt insulation.

Installing Loose-fill Insulation

The installation process for loose-fill insulation is more complex than for batts or rolls because a blowing machine is required.  Even though these machines are now available for rent from most home centers, NAIMA recommends using a professional contractor to do the job. Evenly blowing insulation into all the small and hard to reach spaces requires skill and experience. For example, cellulose insulation must be over-installed to account for settling after it is put in. Click here for detailed information about installing loose-fill insulation.

Regardless of what kind of insulation you install, refer also to General Work Guidelines When Installing Fiber Glass Insulation.

How is Insulation Labeled?

For more info on this topic, read NAIMA publication(s): Labeling & Advertising of Home Insulation

Batts and Rolls R-values are on the packing as well as printed on the insulation batts and rolls themselves.  Most common R-values of batts and rolls are 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 25, 30 and 38.  R-values are additive.  If, for example, a ceiling requires R-38 insulation, two layers of R-19 batts or rolls can be used.  Note: when batts or rolls are compressed to less-than labeled thickness during installation, the rated resistance value will be reduced. Savings may vary. Find out why in the seller's fact sheet on R-values.

Loose-Fill

All loose-fill fiber glass insulation is packaged in plastic bags.  Whether pre-printed on the insulation bag or included on the package label, each package must contain certain information including:

• Manufacturer’s recommended application instructions.
• Minimum settled thickness
• Initial installed thickness
• Maximum net coverage area
• Minimum weight per square foot at R-values of 13, 19, 22, 30, 38 & 49

Do I Need a Vapor Retarder?

It is important to stop water vapor movement in homes. A vapor retarder retards the transmission of water vapor and helps prevent it from condensing to liquid water within the structure. Liquid water can accumulate inside exterior walls and up in roof and attic spaces.  If enough water is present, wood rot and decay can cause significant damage. The kraft facing on a fiber glass batt is a vapor retarder. It can reduce moisture movement through your walls, floors and ceilings. Call the local building permitting office to find out about the local building practice with regard to the need for vapor retarders. 

More about Vapor Retarders

As moisture vapor moves from a warm interior through construction materials to a cooler surface, the moisture may condense as water which could damage the building.  It is for this reason that vapor retarders are installed in buildings.  By locating vapor retarders on the side of the insulation toward the warm living area, moisture vapor is kept away from cold surfaces on which it might condense to liquid water. Good construction practice calls for installing a vapor retarder in walls of most buildings.

For more info on this topic, read NAIMA publication(s): Facts About Ventilation & Moisture Control Facts About Covering Vapor Retarders ICAA Technical Bulletin Use of Vapor Retarders

Ask for a Fact Sheet from your Retailer.

Some retailers will carry a fact sheet on insulation, although they are no longer required to by the Federal Trade Commission if they display insulation packages on the sales floor where customers are likely to notice them. Each individual package label should contain the information required by law.