How to Install Attic Insulation for Cold Climates

If you’re going to keep your house warm and cut your energy bills, you’ll need to know how to install attic insulation. Much of the heat from your house is lost through the attic and good attic insulation can cut down on that. Knowing how to install attic insulation is going to save you money. It’s not difficult to insulate an attic and in cold climates it’s vital to help you through the winter. Insulation will keep heat in the living areas of your home.

Step 1 - R-Value

Insulation is measured by the R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation will be. To know how to install attic insulation, you need to know the best R-value of insulation for your particular climate and attic. You should be looking at fiberglass roll insulation with an R-value of about 60.

Step 2 - Measuring

Measure the distance between the roof beams that rise to the peak of the roof. They should be on 16 inch centers to offer the best roof support. If the spacing is less, you’ll need to cut your insulation to make it fit because the rolls are usually 16 inches wide.

Measure the distance from the floor of your attic up to the peak of the roof and multiply that by the number of gaps between beams. This will tell you how many feet of roll insulation you need for the roof.

Next, measure the width of the attic and multiply that by the number of openings between joists. This will tell you how many feet of roll insulation you need for the attic floor.  

Step 3 - Installing Insulation

Understanding how to install attic insulation is very easy. All you do is measure the length you need to fill the gap between beams and cut the rolls to length with a utility knife. Before you handle and work with insulation, put on gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses.

Holding one end of the piece of insulation, climb up the stepladder so you can reach to the ridge line, holding it so that the backing paper is facing you. You’ll see that there are tabs on the paper. You will need to pull these out as you’ll need to use these for attaching the insulation to the beams.

Staple the tabs to the beams. The staples should be spaced about 6 inches to 8 inches apart to give the best support. Repeat this for all the spaces between the beams.

Step 4 - Floor Insulation

Knowing how to install attic insulation means you don’t stop with the roof. You’ll keep the house a lot warmer by installing insulation between the joists. This will also allow you to add a plywood floor to the attic.

Simply roll out a roll of insulation to the desired length and cut with a utility life for each space between the joists. Repeat until you’ve covered the entire attic.