Sunday, August 28, 2005
Insulating and Drywall Tips
Question: "I'm insulating some areas in my home, but I don't have much experience in this area. Do you have any tips and techniques for installing insulation and drywall into my home?”
Thanks so much for your question. Insulating and drywalling is a simple process, but there can be some tricky maneuvers that you will need to prepare for to make sure that the job is done right. Following these guidelines will ensure that you projects turn out perfect.
Insulating
It is critical to maintain a positive air flow between the insulation and the vents in your roof. Installing baffles between the rafter crossings in the walls will maintain a good air flow and equalize temperatures. By installing the baffles, you will be keeping the insulating from jamming up against the sheathing. If you live in snowy climates, skipping this step means that snow can melt into the roof and refreeze, causing leaks and water damage.
Kitchen Drywalling
The main thing to keep in mind when drywalling your kitchen is to measure the height of the ceilings. 8 foot ceilings are perfect in that they accept 4 foot drywalls perfectly. But for ceilings higher than 8 feet, you must plan out your sheets in order to have them match perfectly. You can also use your cabinets to successfully hide the joints of the drywall.
Using Drywall Stilts
I recommend that you not use drywall stilts if at all possible. These are professional tools used to save time. It takes practice to stay on them without falling off, and the possibility for injury is high. But if you get the hang of it, drywall stilts are great in that they allow you to move freely around your kitchen without a cumbersome ladder. They are similar to walking in tall ski boots.
Thanks so much for your question. Insulating and drywalling is a simple process, but there can be some tricky maneuvers that you will need to prepare for to make sure that the job is done right. Following these guidelines will ensure that you projects turn out perfect.
Insulating
It is critical to maintain a positive air flow between the insulation and the vents in your roof. Installing baffles between the rafter crossings in the walls will maintain a good air flow and equalize temperatures. By installing the baffles, you will be keeping the insulating from jamming up against the sheathing. If you live in snowy climates, skipping this step means that snow can melt into the roof and refreeze, causing leaks and water damage.
Kitchen Drywalling
The main thing to keep in mind when drywalling your kitchen is to measure the height of the ceilings. 8 foot ceilings are perfect in that they accept 4 foot drywalls perfectly. But for ceilings higher than 8 feet, you must plan out your sheets in order to have them match perfectly. You can also use your cabinets to successfully hide the joints of the drywall.
Using Drywall Stilts
I recommend that you not use drywall stilts if at all possible. These are professional tools used to save time. It takes practice to stay on them without falling off, and the possibility for injury is high. But if you get the hang of it, drywall stilts are great in that they allow you to move freely around your kitchen without a cumbersome ladder. They are similar to walking in tall ski boots.
