What is Batt Insulation?
Batt insulation consists of pre-cut sections of fibrous material, such as fiberglass or mineral wool, used to insulate walls, floors, and ceilings.
Available in various R-values and sizes for convenience, batts are an economical option for insulating new walls, although they may suffer from poor installation, resulting in diminished efficiency of up to 25%.
Benefits of Batt Insulation:
Cost-effectiveness: Batt insulation is one of the most economical options, with quick installation and fixed pricing.
Flexibility: Available in pre-cut panels and rolls, batts can be installed between various structural elements without leaving gaps.
Energy efficiency: When properly installed, batt insulation can significantly reduce heating and cooling energy consumption, sometimes by up to 50%.
Batt insulation maintains its effectiveness over time without settling and is available with or without facing, providing additional moisture and air barrier functionality.
Tips for Batt Insulation:
Ensure proper protective attire, including gloves, long sleeves, pants, and eyewear, while insulating.
When using faced batt insulation, orient the facing towards the living space.
Precisely measure the spaces between joists and studs and acquire batts cut to fit those areas to prevent uninsulated gaps. Trim batts as needed to accommodate irregular shapes.
How to Install Batt Insulation:
Fill all voids:
Achieving quality insulation entails snugly fitting batts into stud cavities without leaving gaps. Push batts to the back of each stud space and pull out front edges.
Fit batts tightly around electrical components:
Avoid leaving uninsulated space behind electrical wires by using split batts to encase them.
Fit first, then cut to length:
Start by fitting batts into place and then trim them to the desired length using a sharp tool against the bottom plate.
