Should you tape insulation seams?

Yes, you tape any insulation's lateral seams, especially any fluffy stuff... aluminum HVAC tape lasts the longest. The fluffy stuff really only works best in dead air space. Which also means the un-faced side (where you don't tape anything).

Can you use duct tape for insulation seams?

Locate any breaches or cracks in your current insulation and seal them by applying duct tape down the seam or breach on both sides of the insulation whenever possible. Cracks in walls, pipes and insulating sheets result in a lot of the heat loss in a home.

Can you have gaps in insulation?

Insulating floors will go a long way towards making a property more energy efficient. But gaps, however small, can often compromise good insulation by allowing air leakage that can lead to cold bridging and other issues.

What kind of tape do you use on insulation?

Thermal insulation tape is a great option if you construct products or structures that must reflect heat. Certain types of insulation tape may contain metallic plastic or foil that can reflect heat. Other types of tape may have an interior foam barrier/foam that has a foil or metallic covering to reflect radiant heat.

Should insulation be stapled?

Stapling the insulation batts is not necessary to secure them in most cases. However, it is the easiest way to keep them in place, as most products are already equipped with tabs or strips for stapling into the framing joists.

Tip of the Week: Should You Tape Insulation Seams?

Should I tape foam board insulation?

When rigid foam is used as the weather-resistive barrier and/or the air barrier, tape all seams using manufacturer-recommended tape per the manufacturer's instructions.

Should insulation touch wall?

Solid walls, however, must be faced with an insulation product, so they can often eat into floor space depending on the thickness of the insulation as an air gap is needed to prevent condensation and moisture build-up. Insulation with a moisture barrier means you don't need to leave an air gap during installation.

Does insulation need air flow?

The insulation needs to “breathe” to do its job, so there must be a flow of air to the outside surfaces of the insulation. Paradoxically, insulation also needs to be sealed off on the inside surfaces. Walls or ceilings must be lined with a vapor barrier, a layer of a watertight material.

What is the advantage of using an air gap in an insulated wall?

Free Air. One of the key advantages of the air gap concept is that air is free. Further benefits are that the air cavity can be controlled-closed for heating cycles and open for cooling cycles. Air gaps are generally created by applying the cladding over spacers or furring strips.

Do you need to tape Tyvek seams?

The manufacturer recommends only taping the Tyvek HomeWrap seams.

What is insulation seaming tape used for?

Tapes are also used to seal duct seams, to seal leaks around penetrations through air barriers — for example, to seal around plumbing vents — and to seal sheet goods to a variety of materials, including concrete.

Can you put too much insulation in an attic?

It's possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.

Is it OK to compress insulation?

You don't need to worry about removing some of the insulation so you can do it without compression. Just put the whole piece back there and let it be compressed. So, compress if you need to and don't worry about it. Just make sure the space is completely filled.

Does the paper on insulation go in or out?

Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That's because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.

What should you not do with insulation?

Do not use fiberglass insulation in basements. Fiberglass traps mold well and basements are notorious for having moisture problems. Instead, use closed cell foam board and spray for basement installation. Never place insulation close to water heaters, oil burners or anything hot.

Can you install insulation wrong?

You could do it wrong

Rather than a tight seal to prevent air from leaving or entering your home, air will simply be able to travel through the gaps. Thus, you'll likely still experience the draftiness in your home that made you want to install insulation in the first place.

Should you leave a gap between insulation and roof?

Insulation (and it's proper location), vapor barriers and ventilation help control condensation and the problems associated with it. So unless your house is so tight that no air flow will occur you will need to leave an air space between the ceiling insulation and the roof to vent moisture.

Can insulation touch electrical wires?

It is perfectly safe for household insulation to touch wires provided the wires or cables are electrically insulated. There also are techniques to make insulation fit better around wires. However, under no circumstances should thermal insulation make contact with live uninsulated wires and cables.

Can insulation touch electrical boxes?

Fiberglass Insulation Around Electrical Boxes

In most municipalities, surrounding or covering an electrical box with fiberglass insulation is allowed as long as the electrical box doesn't contain a heat source. You can even stuff the junction box or electrical outlet.