Attaching Fiberglass Insulation
- 1). Cover as much skin as possible to protect yourself from fiberglass irritants. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a dust mask, goggles and a hat. Fiberglass particles can irritate your throat and lungs, especially if you have a respiratory condition.
- 2). Measure the area with a measuring tape determine how long a section of insulation you need to install.
- 3). Unroll a section of fiberglass insulation. Cut the insulation with a utility knife or heavy-duty shears. Try to cut it so that the piece is just slightly larger than the area you measured. That way, the fiberglass will fit snugly in place.
- 4). Place the section of fiberglass into the space between the studs. The paper face should be facing outward toward you. Do not compress the insulation. If the insulation does not fit unless you severely compress it, take it back out and trim it to size with the utility knife or heavy-duty shears.
- 5). Attach the paper flange of the fiberglass to the sides of the wood studs with a heavy-duty stapler and 3/8- or 1/2-inch staples. Do not cover over the face of the studs. The goal is to have the fiberglass insulation completely fill the space between the studs, without overflowing it. If you staple the insulation over the face of the studs, you will have trouble hanging drywall over it later.
- 6). Cover every seam between separate sections of fiberglass, using vinyl insulation tape. This maintains the integrity of the installation and prevents heat from being lost at these transition areas.
- 7). Install a vapor barrier after you install the fiberglass insulation, if desired. A vapor barrier is a sheet of plastic designed to keep moisture from entering the areas within the walls and ceilings. If you are insulating a basement or some other location where mold is a potential issue, it is a good idea to use a vapor barrier. Follow the vapor-barrier manufacturer's installation instructions exactly for best results.