INSULATING YOUR HOME SELECTION + INSTALLATION GUIDE
WHY INSULATE? SAVE MONEY YEAR-ROUND COMFORT You could save up to 20%* on cooling and heating. Stay cooler in summer, and warmer in winter. REDUCE NOISE BOOST RESALE VALUE Wall insulation minimizes indoor and outdoor sounds. Homebuyers prefer energy-saving homes. *Results vary.
DETERMINE YOUR INSULATION NEEDS Locate your zone Zone Add Insulation to Attic Uninsulated Attic Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation Floor 1 R-30 to R-49 R-25 to R-30 R-13 2 R-30 to R-60 R-25 to R-38 R-13 to R-19 3 R-30 to R-60 R-25 to R-38 R-19 to R-25 4 R-38 to R-60 R-38 R-25 to R-30 5 to 8 R-49 to R-60 R-38 to R-49 R-25 to R-30 Wall Insulation: Whenever exterior siding is removed on an: Uninsulated wood-frame wall: • Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wa
GET THE RIGHT INSULATION FOR YOUR PROJECT KRAFT FACED VS. UNFACED INSULATION Faced insulation helps to provide vapor control in exterior walls and basements. Kraft facing is a vapor retarder and is required in certain climate zones. Refer to your location’s current building and energy codes to determine if vapor retarders are required in your climate zone. Unfaced insulation is used when no vapor control is needed.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPLICATION AREAS WALLS Faced batts and rolls • Kraft facing is a vapor retarder • Install product so the kraft facing is positioned towards the warmin-winter side of the home, it fills the cavity completely and is in full contact with the drywall • Use rolls for large spans • Use batts for small spans FLOORS/CEILINGS Faced batts and rolls • Use over unfinished areas • Kraft facing is a vapor retarder • The side of the batt with the kraft facing should be positioned toward the home inter
BEST PRACTICES FOR INSTALLATION Estimating how much insulation is needed WALLS + FLOORS/CEILINGS 1 2 3 4 List the R-value you want your finished insulation to provide. Measure the distance between studs or joists to determine the correct width of insulation. Find the total square footage of the area you want to insulate, by multiplying the space’s width by its length.
SUPPLIES NEEDED WALLS + FLOORS/ CEILINGS Protective clothing • Long-sleeved shirt • Work gloves • Safety glasses • Dust mask TOOLS • Tape measure • Staple gun and staples • Utility knife • Straight edge • Silicone cutting mat or board ATTICS Protective clothing • All clothing recommended above for insulating walls and floors/ceilings. • A hard hat, to guard against nails in the roof.
INSTALLING INSULATION IN WALLS ADDING INSULATION TO EXTERIOR SIDEWALLS • Seal and caulk any holes or openings. • Make sure insulation fits snugly against the top, bottom and all sides of the framing. • When installing insulation with a vapor retarder (such as kraft facing), be sure the faced side is positioned toward the home’s interior.
INSTALLING INSULATION IN FLOORS/CEILINGS • Place insulation between floor/ceiling joists, starting at one end and working away. • Make sure the batt is flush against the bottom of the floor above, and that its ends fit snugly against the band joists. • When installing insulation with a vapor retarder (such as kraft facing), be sure the faced side is positioned toward the home’s interior. • Insulation should be installed in full contact against the subfloor.
INSTALLING INSULATION IN ATTICS BATT AND ROLL INSULATION Preparing the attic • Seal and caulk any holes, openings and penetrations through the ceiling. • Place protective baffles over all attic ventilation, such as soffit or eave vents, to keep them from being blocked. • Lay plywood planks across joists, and walk only on those two surfaces.
INSTALLING INSULATION IN ATTICS INSULATING WITH LOOSE FILL INSULATION Preparing the attic Prepare attic as you would for insulation with batts or rolls—caulking openings, keeping air vents from being blocked, and laying plywood over joists. In addition: • Seal any unsealed duct joints. • Install a code-approved insulation barrier around the attic access opening, to keep insulation from falling out.
WHY KNAUF INSULATION? • Softer to the touch, easy to cut, split and install • Provides superior thermal and sound control performance • GREENGUARD Gold certified, free of Red List chemicals and formaldehyde • Bonded with industry-transforming, plant-based ECOSE Technology ® • Made from a high degree of recycled content R-IN | 1-18
