How to Install Rolled Insulation in a Ceiling

Rolled insulation is thick fiberglass matting, or batting, that's covered on one side with paper, cut into strips wide enough to fit snugly between standard 16-inch-on-center wall studs, and rolled up for easy transport. Once you unroll them and cut them to size, it's just a matter of setting them in those spaces between the studs. Different climates and building materials require different types of rolled insulation, so consult your home improvement store or your community's building inspector about which type is right for your project.

Stepladder
Tape measure
Square
Utility knife
Rolled batt insulation
Stapler

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the ceiling length between the first two ceiling studs or joists along one side, from end to end.
- 2
  Stretch out your tape measure on the floor and lock it at the measurement you took. Roll out a length of insulation next to it.
- 3
  Cut the insulation at the mark on the tape measure. Make the cut by laying a square across the width of the piece and running your utility knife alongside the square.
- 4
  Press one end of the cut insulation into the space between the first two studs at one end of the ceiling (the peak end, if there's a peak). Position it with the paper-covered side of the insulation facing down into the room. Shoot two or three staples through each side edge of the piece and into the studs so the piece is hanging from staples.
- 5
  Work your way along the whole length of the insulation piece with the staple gun, shooting two staples at a time through the sides and into the studs, every foot or so. Continue until the whole space between the studs is filled, end to end, with the piece.
- 6
  Repeat the process to fill the spaces between each pair of studs along the ceiling (or the underside of the roof).

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