How to Hang Insulation in Roof Joints

Insulate Between Ceiling Joists

• 1

  Go into your attic and measure the distance between your ceiling joists. These are the exposed pieces of wood that form the upper side of your ceiling. Select rolled sheeting insulation that fits between the joists. These rolls come in standard sizes to fit between most ceiling joists without trimming.

• 2

  Unroll the insulation, keeping the paper side down and the lofted side up. Gently press the sides of the insulation into the space between the ceiling joists, avoiding compacting the material.

• 3

  Cut the insulation to fit around heat vents and can lights, as well as any other objects that generate heat. Use a utility knife to cut through the paper and the insulation fabric, leaving at least a 1/4-inch gap between the insulation and the vent or lighting structure, unless the manufacturer instructs otherwise.

Insulate Between Roof Rafters

• 4

  Insulate the underside of your roof by running rolled insulation in between the rafters. The rafters are the supporting beams of wood that you see when you stand in your attic and look up at the roof.

• 5

  Measure the distance between the rafters and purchase rolled insulation that fits the measurement.

• 6

  Lift the paper tabs on the outside edges of the rolls, pressing them outward as you open up the rolls. Start attaching one end of the rolled insulation to the center point of your attic rafters by stapling the tabs to the rafters, keeping the paper side of the insulation against the wooden surface of the roof. Unroll the insulation and place staples through the tabs into the rafters about every eight to 12 inches, holding the insulation in place.

• 7

  Use your utility knife to cut out around any vents or structures that pass through the roof.