How to Lay Home Insulation

Before you start the insulation process, the attic should be cleared out completely. You can install your insulation much more efficiently by reducing the amount of obstacles in your way. Use this exercise as a good excuse to clean out your attic!

Some types of insulation can cause irritation for some time after contact. Wearing safety goggles, gloves and a mask is highly recommended to protect you from contact with the fibres. It is also strongly advised to wear a protective suit, and knee pads as you will need to kneel a lot.

Lay some large sections of chipboard or plywood along the top of several joists to work from. Kneeling on these will prevent you from placing weight on the ceiling, which would be a safety hazard and potentially damage the ceiling structure.

Measure the distance between the joists and cut the insulation (within its packaging) with a saw to fit between the joists.

Open all insulation packaging within the loft to keep all fibres within the attic workspace. Unwrap the insulation and roll it out lengthways, then fit it between the joists at one end of the attic. Use this end as your starting point.

Always leave a gap of 20-30mm at the end of each roll to allow for air circulation. Fit each roll within each gap between the joists until the whole attic is completed.

Insulating your pipes will help reduce the risk of them freezing and bursting during periods of cold weather. Using a sharp knife, cut a “V” shape into the foam pipe insulation where it will need to fit around turns in the pipe.

Wrap the pipes with the foam insulation. Make sure that each pipe is covered entirely and that there are no exposed spots.

Complete the insulation by adding more insulation, layer over layer on top of the joists. Lay each new layer in the opposite direction to the last for optimised effectiveness. This ensures no cold bridging.

You may also wish to insulate your rafters, and this is an excellent opportunity while you are dressed in safety gear and the attic is clear. Unroll your insulation as before and stuff it in between the rafters, just like you did on the attic floor. Hammer several nails into the side of each rafter, tight up against each roll of insulation to prevent it from falling down. Congratulations, you have now fully insulated your attic. Prepare yourself for a warmer home and reduced energy costs!