How to Insulate Your Ceiling
Things to Remember Before Starting
- Always ensure that your installation is as clear and accessible as possible. You’ll need to be able to move around easily and access all required areas. You’ll also need something sturdy to walk/stand on such as a plank or sheet of plywood.
- You’ll need some basic tools to help complete your project. Having a hammer, putty knife, caulking gun, tape measure, straight edge, utility knife, a lightweight stapler and a pole or rake (for hard to reach places) will help make this job a lot easier.
- Lastly, remember that when you open a package of batting, it will expand significantly, so try not to open it outside of your project area.
Cathedral & Flat Ceilings
Install a continuous layer of vapour barrier over the warm-in-winter side of your ceilings and seal it with caulking or tape, leaving at least a 6” overlap over the joints.
Make sure you have appropriate venting by installing rafter vents or soffit and ridge vents. These will help air circulate behind your batting and help prevent mould.
When installing batting, make sure to push it flush between the rafters, and ensure that you’re using separate pieces where the collar beams and rafters meet. Otherwise, you could end up with some hard-to-fill gaps.
For electrical areas, slide the batts under the wires wherever possible, keeping it away from vents, exhaust fans, chimneys and any other heat-emitting objects and light fixtures. For exact information, consult your local building codes.
