Proper insulation of the residential walls will minimise heat exchange between the home and the outdoors. In simple terms, there will be minimal heat gain on hot days and the home will not lose heat during the cold season. As a result, you can minimise your heating and cooling needs significantly. If you are looking to replace or improve your current insulation, you should consider purchasing and installing batts.

An insulation batt consists of an insulation material which is manufactured in sheets or rolls. Its stable shape allows for quick and easy installation, reducing your total project costs. Also, the flexibility of pre-cut panels and rolls ensures that the gaps and corners in the walls can be completely covered. If you have never handled batt insulation in the batts, consider using the below guidelines to achieve optimal results.

Choose the Right Tools

You should acquire the correct tool to help you handle the insulation batts with maximum efficiency. In general, the process does not require specialised equipment. Therefore, you will not need to invest in expensive resources. You should obtain a utility knife, tape measure, straightedge and a staple gun. The tape measure will help you determine the correct size of batts, and the utility knife is essential for cutting the rolls to desired sizes. The straightedge will check batt straightness, and the staple gun will drive staples to hold the insulation in place.

Ensure Firm Placement

You should make sure that the insulation batts are placed in the wall cavities correctly and firmly to ensure maximum efficiency. In general, the proper placement of the panels or rolls will depend on the cutting process. You must measure the batts with caution to achieve optimal coverage. It is advisable to cut the batts with an allowance for corner and edge coverage. However, you should be careful not to cut extra-sized batts which will require significant compression.

Consider Vapour Barrier

Insulation batts will sustain damage if exposed to moisture. In simple terms, the batts will lose their original shape and thermal insulation efficiency, making your home vulnerable to heat gain and loss. Also, the moisture could promote the growth of mould and mildew. Ideally, you should purchase insulation with a pre-installed vapour barrier. Alternatively, you can install a vapour retarder to achieve the same results.

Installing insulation in residential walls can be a challenging process, and poor placement can be detrimental to the performance of the product. For more information or help, contact an insulation installation professional.