Use fiberglass and cut to the exact size
Fiberglass is an easy way to insulate your mobile home if there is sufficient space behind your wall frame. Every gap or compressed batt in the wall leaves room for cold and heat to escape. It’s important to cut the fiberglass into an exact fit, but you can always add about ¼ to your measurement to make sure it fits snugly. To do this, you can compress the fiberglass to line up with a 4 to 6-inch strip of plywood or board at the base of the wall and then cut with a utility knife. Use a scrap of plywood under your batt to prevent scratching or dulling to your floor.
Fiberglass is readily available because of its popularity and comes in a standard width and thickness that fits between studs and joists. Foil and paper-faced fiberglass versions come with stapling flanges that make installation very easy. Fiberglass can be quite itchy to install, and you will need to wear protective clothing first, particularly eye protection. The fiberglass rolls must be cut by hand to fit your exact measurements. However, fiberglass compresses easily and is likely to lose insulation faster than other methods.
Use Rockwool batts and blankets
Rockwool batts and blankets have a few advantages over fiberglass insulation because they are more fire resistant and don’t itch. Installation is also easier because they are staple free and spring into shape against the studs. However, as good as they sound, they are not as readily available as fiberglass. It’s also important to note that Rockwool batts retain moisture, so if they get damp they are more likely to harbor mold.
Use cotton batts
Cotton batts, also known as denim or blue jean insulation, are another form of mobile home wall insulation that you can use to manage the heating and cooling of your home. Like Rockwool batts, cotton batts also do not itch like fiberglass and are very easy to install and to fit around pipes. Although they provide excellent insulation for your walls, they are not readily available and tend to be more expensive than other insulation methods.
Loose fill insulation
If you live in a mild to moderately cold climate, loose fill insulation could be a useful way to insulate your mobile home. This type of insulation involves blowing fluffy strands of fiber into the wall. It’s easy to install and helps to fill tiny nooks and crannies that other types of insulation can leave behind. But beware! Although loose fiberglass is widely available, the material can be so fluffy that it loses half its effectiveness in cold weather.
Loose fill cellulose
If you live in a frigid climate, loose fill cellulose may be a solution to your mobile home insulation needs. This insulation type works better than loose fill fiberglass because the colder it gets, the more effective it is. Installation is easy, and you can do it yourself, but you should know that after some time, it could settle up to 20% and hence lose some of its efficiency.
Use foam to fill narrow gaps
Seal your door and window jambs using expanding spray foam. The main reason why it helps to use spray foam is that it can seal the windows to prevent air infiltration. Make sure you use the kind of foam that is meant for windows and door insulation because it is a minimal-expanding type and prevents the jamb from warping. If there is still some space left even after the foam cures, you can use small strips of fiberglass insulation to fill them.
Fit the space
If you want to install insulation efficiently, the key is secure placement. Try not to compress the insulation because it will only lower efficiency. Ensure that the corners and edges are fit snugly to eliminate gaps and voids and enhance insulation.
Electric cables and pipes
When installing insulation, you should take time to encapsulate electrical boxes and cables. When dealing with batts, make sure you cut pieces that fit the wires. Be very careful that you do not cut any wires and make sure that they fit snugly around the electrical boxes as well.
Use the right tools during your mobile home wall insulation process
Fortunately, for most of these insulation methods, you won’t need highly specialized tools. Tools like a utility knife, staple gun, tape measure, putty knife, and straightedge are some of the tools you will need. Make sure you have sharp blades to make the cutting job easier and accurate. With a dull knife, you risk the chance of injuring yourself. These tips are simple ways for you to install your mobile home insulation yourself.
Enjoy the benefits of your mobile home wall insulation
Insulation is a cost-effective way to help maintain a more comfortable home while also reducing energy costs. Checkout our article on mobile home floor insulation and read this article for some great insulation ideas for your entire home and create a warm, relaxing atmosphere this winter.
