How to Insulate the Front Porch

One of the easiest and most effective ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency and comfort level is to install insulation in areas where heat and air can easily escape, such as an enclosed front porch. There are a number of types of insulation, but the simplest type to install yourself is batt (also referred to as blanket) insulation, which is placed between the frame of the house and the drywall. If you do not already have access to the space between your home’s framing and the drywall in your front porch, you will need to cut and remove several pieces in order to gain access.

Respirator mask
Safety goggles
Batts, rated R-13 to R-21
Utility knife
Scrap wooden board
Staple gun with staples

Instructions

- 1
  Put on your respirator mask and safety goggles before opening the batts of insulation. These will protect you from the fiberglass particles in the insulation.
- 2
  Open the packages of batts insulation by cutting gently through the plastic packaging lengthwise, using the utility knife.
- 3
  Lay the batt on a hard, flat surface, such as a concrete floor. Press the scrap wood down to compress the insulation and then cut the batt to the sizes needed to cover the square footage of your porch's walls. Use short strokes with the utility knife.
- 4
  Push the batts into the cavity between the frame and drywall, so that it sits all the way inside. Then fluff the batts forward to fill the space.
- 5
  Staple the batts into place on the edges of the framing boards. Do not stretch the batts too tightly to staple.

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