Home Insulation Basics: Insulating the Walls

Insulating the walls of your home is very beneficial as it helps to make serious savings on your power bills. Wall insulation projects are also an environmentally conscious option. It also helps to keep your home warm during winters and cool during the hot season. Expenditure for a typical wall insulation project depends on the age and condition of your house. Here, we will help you understand how to approach, plan, and execute a wall insulation project for your home.

Getting Started

Most wall insulation methods can be divided into two parts—either you can put a vinyl siding and apply a layer of insulating foam or house-wrap over it. Both methods ensure effectively preventing infiltration of air. Along with this method, one can also place a foil at the back of the radiator to reflect away the heat.

Cavity Wall Insulation

A more prevalent technique is Cavity Wall Insulation. This helps to make your home thermally and acoustically insulated besides making it more flame-retardant. Cavity walls have two layers of bricks with a narrow gap between them. You can insulate this narrow gap using the Dry Method that utilizes expanded polystyrene beads or fibrous mineral wool. This method makes optimum use of materials inserted through the existing cavities, towards the outer layering of the walls, until you have comprehensively filled the gap.

Foam Method Installation

Another method for cavity wall insulation is the Foam Method. Here, you need to pump the material through the cavities until the gap fills. It takes a couple of days for the foam to dry and solidify, after which, your walls will get proper insulation. Foam Insulation is the easier approach, perfect for do-it-yourself home insulation projects.

Executing Wall Insulation Project for Your Home

Insulating the walls is not difficult as long as you use the right approach and pay attention to the finer details. This is a summarized version of how to insulate the walls of your home:

•    Firstly, mark the studs using a stud finder.

•    Then mark the points, halfway between the studs.

•    Drill 2 to 3-inch holes, 3 and 6 feet from the ground, and 8 inches from the top. •    Insert the blower in the holes starting from the lower ones.

•    Keep a regular check on the level of foaming by inserting a straw through the holes at a level higher at which you are working.

•    Remove the blower gradually as the gap fills.

•    Always follow the manual regarding the time it will take to blow into each set of gaps. Scrape-off the excess foam.

•    Cover the holes once you are done with the insulation.

Concluding Thoughts

If you are stuck somewhere during the insulation, take the advice of a professional from this niche. It is always better to get guidance rather than commit serious errors. You can also seek the help of people who have successfully executed wall insulation projects.