Installing Insulation Panels for Cold Rooms

A house that is cold is most likely one that does not have insulation panels installed. Insulation panels can be installed in the attic, basement, or crawl space and will help keep heat in and energy costs down. Lack of insulation panels means that the only thing between the inside of your home and the outside is the wood the home is built from. Wood is not a good insulator and the gaps where the wood is nailed in place offer an escape point for the heat in your home. This will create a cold room and will also cause you to lose money trying to heat the home. The article that follows will show you how to install insulation panels.

Cut the Insulation Panels

To create a strong barrier between the inside of the home and the exterior walls you'll want to make sure the insulation panels are properly cut. Use your measuring tape and measure the height of the walls from the ceiling to the floor. You need to install insulation panels that span the space between each gap or they can cover several. This depends on what you want to do as well as the type of insulation you purchased. When you measure the space between the wall studs always start in the center of the actual stud and terminate at the center of the next stud. Cut the insulation panels to the sizes you require.

Install the Insulation Panels

Starting at the corners take each of the cut panels and work one by one, placing each over two studs. Use the nail gun to affix the insulation panels to the wood studs. Move to the next set of studs and place another insulation panel and nail in place. Continue in this manner until the entire wall is covered with insulation panels. Despite the insulation panels keeping the cold out and the heat in, there is added protection you can take. Install the caulk inside the caulking gun and apply the caulk to all of the seams of the insulation panels. Use your finger or a smoothing tool to smooth out the caulk. Once the caulk dries it will further seal the insulation panels and any cracks or spaces where air can escape. Place adhesive tape meant for insulation panels along the outer edges of the insulation panels.

Finishing the Project

Once the insulation panels are installed and sealed you can then progress with covering the insulation panels. You can cover the panels with sheets of the drywall as it should be insulated up close with the drywall. If drywall is not your plan, you can install plastic sheeting over the insulation panels using nails. This creates a vapor barrier and protects against moisture and mold. On top of the plastic sheeting, you can place wood paneling or some other type of wall covering material.