How and Where to Install Insulation in an Existing Home

by Barbara Rybicki 03/01/2021

Proper insulation not only helps you save on your energy bills. It reduces your energy impact on the environment and may create a great selling point for your home when the time comes. But knowing were to insulate an existing home can be a project. Here's what you need to know.

How to Do an Insulation Assessment

First, you'll need to turn off the power at the breaker box. Have your flashlights ready.

Remove outlet covers around your home and look inside to see if you have insulation. You might not have to check every outlet, but do check them on multiple floors and one on each wall to understand how well walls are insulated.

If you have a wall that gets hot in the summer or cold in the winter, you may want to dig deeper. Pull a little out to see what kind it is and how thick it is.

Next, check your attic, basement and crawlspaces. This insulation you can more easily see. Use a yardstick to measure its depth and look for areas that are thinner than others.

Additionally, you may consider insulating:

Around storm windows

On band joints

Around pipes that might freeze

Between the studs on a finished attic floor

What You'll Need to Install Installation

There are many insulation projects you can DIY. For example, re-caulking leaky windows and sealing drafty doors can help tremendously. But you can also add insulation in the attic and basement with either loose-fill or blanket insulation. Here's what you need.

LED lamp clip-on. You need your hands, so flashlights won't cut it.

Insulation of choice

1-2 3/4" plywood panels to stand on if there's no floor

Goggles and a mouth/nose mask to protect your eyes and lungs

Long sleeves and gloves to reduce residue settling on your skin. Some materials cause terrible itching and bleeding if scratched.

Staple gun (for rolls) or insulation blower (for loose)

Prep the Area

Take this opportunity to look for leaks. If you see signs of active water damage, you need to repair it before laying insulation. Now, place your plywood so you have somewhere to stand safely.

Lay Insulation

Lay insulation in areas where it's lacking. You can staple it to roof beams and beams on the floor. Just cut it to size if needed.

Keep in mind that when you open a pack of roll insulation, it expands. So please don't open it until you have it in the general area where you want it.

*Pro tip* To cut blanket insulation more easily to fit, lay a two-by-four over the place where you want to cut it. This temporarily compresses it there so that you have a thickness that's easier to cut through.

If using loose insulation, power up your insulation blower and aim where padding is needed. Always, carefully rinse off after applying insulation to reduce skin and lung exposure.

And you're ready for lower energy bills through winter and summer. For more tips DIY home maintenance tips, follow our blog.

DIY Home Repair

Home Improvement

Home Maintenance

About the Author

Barbara Rybicki

I am originally from Poland but have been a Grafton resident for almost thirty years.

I come from the Hospitality Business. I used to work in 5 Star Marriott Hotel Management. That experience taught me how to provide excellent customer service. That "Marriott" way of doing business instilled in me over the years helps me tremendously to succeed as a local real estate broker.

Nothing is more exciting to me than gratifying feeling I get from helping people reach their real estate needs and dreams. You can count on me to always do what is in your best interest. I will be there for you throughout the entire transaction making sure you understand each step of the buying or selling process. I will guide you with great communication skills and hard work ethic.

I have not only passion for my job but also extensive real estate expertise. Whether it is preparing and staging your home to sell for top dollar or helping you purchase a perfect home, feel free to reach out to me so we can start this process together.

I specialize in marketing and selling residential real estate in Grafton, Upton, Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury, Milford, Hopkinton and Metro West area.