Insulation installation question

[Chalco]

Is it hard to install insulation?

The guy who said he would insulate my addition has not showed up. I need this done and am thinking about doing it myself. Is this difficult. It is a cathedral ceiling, 12 ft, with recessed lighting. Other than that its just working around windows, etc.

Thanks

[Longhorn]

1. I insulated the entire attic of my house

but the attic space was barely high enough to stand up in, let alone require a ladder. I used the pink stuff that comes in rolls. Be sure to wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants to keep the fiberglass off your skin. I seem to recall that there's a wrapped insulation that is easier to handle as far as causing itchiness. You use a utility knife to cut the length and a stapler to attach the paper tabs to the studs.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask and I'll check with my husband, the remodeling contractor. :D

[DancingBear]

2. Does the cathedral ceiling "meet" the roofline?

IOW, is the only thing on the other side of those sloping ceilings the roof? If so, you will need (probably) something called "proper vent" to be placed in the bays (usually 16" o.c.) before you insulate. Proper vent, as the name implies, allows this portion of the roof to breathe, for lack of a better term.

It is usually pink in color, and looks like a styrofoam tray. It merely staples to the sheathing or the rafter joists, depending on what type you buy.

Installing insulation on 12" ceilings is fun - you'll love it!!! :)

[Chalco]

3. Yes, the only thing on the other side of the sloping

ceilings is the roof, plus shingles of course. No one told me about this pink stuff. Yikes!

[dweller]

4. goggles, facemask

are recommended, along with longsleeves as advised above. Better yet, a lightweight set of coveralls. Wash seperately.

hard? no. Boring? imo, yes.

dp

[Stinky The Clown]

5. I'd suggest one of those disposable coveralls ... (tyvek?) .....

.... that you can use a few times and then just throw away. Last time I tried to wash some clothes I'd used to do insulation, the fiberglass got into the washer and got on the next load, got into the dryer, and also caused a slight clog ..... uh ..... 'issue' ...... in the sink drain into which the washer empties.