Ecofoil DIY Attic Insulation

EcoFoil Products are ideal for do it yourself attic insulation projects

Whether you consider yourself an expert handyman or a weekend warrior with DIY projects, installing radiant barrier insulation products is the perfect project to increase energy efficiency with your own two hands + the two hands of a friend or partner. There are companies who offer this service at significant cost to the unwary, we're here to show you that attic insulation DIY projects will offer significant cost savings on labor and you can get the products direct from EcoFoil with no additional mark-up and very little waiting time - we ship your DIY foil insulation via FedEx within one business day of when your order is placed, and often the same day if you order before 3:00 pm.

Check out our DIY attic insulation guide and see how easy it will be to affect your energy savings:

DIY Attic Insulation - under rafter method

Installing radiant barrier=DIY simplicity. For attic rafter application all you need is 2 pairs of hands (yours and a willing helper), a hand-held staple gun (or pneumatic stapler if you prefer power tools) and a sharp pair of scissors or shears. Adding radiant barrier attic insulation is quick, clean and easy, and this method will block up to 97% of the radiant heat that is heating up your attic and transferring into your home during warm months.

1. Calculate the amount of perforated radiant barrier needed to complete your project with our calculator and place your order.
2. Round up the assistant, stapler, and scissors. Download our attic rafter installation instructions for reference.
3. Measure and double-check the lengths of your run perpendicular to your attic rafters.
4. Measure and cut your lengths of perforated radiant barrier on your driveway or yard, and re-roll individual sections to carry to the attic space.
5. Position the leading edge of your roll of radiant barrier at the end rafter of your roof line inside the attic and staple it into place. Unroll and continue stapling to the other end of the attic. Repeat until coverage is complete per the installation instructions.
6. Your do it yourself radiant barrier project is complete, prepare to see energy savings.

Note: there is no right or wrong side of perforated radiant barrier - both sides have equal reflective properties, just be sure there is air space on one or both sides of the barrier - the gap between the rafters and the sub-roof counts as one, the open air below the rafters counts as one as well. If you have insulation between the rafters of your roof, don't remove it, place the radiant barrier as directed above and the air space on the interior of the room will allow the radiant barrier to function. If you choose to finish the attic after installing radiant barrier you need to maintain a gap - use minimum 3/4" furring strips between the radiant barrier and finish materials if that is your only air space option.

DIY Radiant Barrier - Attic Floor Method

If you don't use your attic space for storage or living space, another easy do it yourself radiant heat project is to add perforated radiant barrier to the floor of your attic over existing fiberglass, cellulose or blown in insulation. Ecofoil installed via this method will help keep warm air inside your home during cooler months and increase the efficiency of your existing mass insulation.

1. Use our calculator to determine the amount of perforated radiant barrier needed to cover the floor of your attic and place your order.
2. Round up an assistant (optional), a staple gun and a pair of scissors or shears. Download our attic floor installation instructions for reference.
3. Measure the length of your floor perpendicular to the floor joists and note any cut-outs you'll need to make for electrical, plumbing and access points.
4. Measure and cut your lengths of perforated radiant barrier on your driveway or yard, and re-roll individual sections to carry to the attic space.
5. Unroll the radiant barrier sections over your existing insulation or flooring material and staple it to the joists to secure it, leaving a 6" gap around the perimeter to allow adequate air flow per our installation instructions.
6. Your attic insulation diy project is complete. If you have an access hatch to your attic, you might also benefit from adding a draft cap to the attic stairs.

Should you install both methods of DIY attic insulation? The under rafter method is important for all climates but will offer the largest energy savings in hot climates or homes with no shade coverage for the roof. The attic floor method is most effective in climates where you invest significant dollars to heat the interior of your home. If you live in a climate with both extremes, you would benefit by installing radiant barrier in both methods.

Additional safety gear: EcoFoil do it yourself insulation attic applications are safe and easy to complete - unlike installing fiberglass or blown in insulation you don't have to wear a dust mask or gloves to protect you from materials you are working with. There are no particles to irritate your lungs from EcoFoil, but you might want to wear a dust mask or protective goggles if working around existing insulation to protect yourself from particles disturbed as you complete your diy insulation-attic spaces tend to be a haven for dust, particularly when retro-fitting attics with foil.

Other DIY radiant barrier projects

• Insulating HVAC Duct Work: Read about our HVAC duct insulation wrap. This product offers easy DIY installation with R-8 insulation value for exposed duct work.
• DIY Garage Door Insulation: Use EcoFoil bubble insulation to stop heat transfer through your overhead garage doors and keep the garage cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter.
• Crawl Space Insulation DIY: If you suspect that you are wasting energy heating or cooling the crawl space below your home you're probably right. 15% or more of heat loss can be lost through improperly insulated crawl spaces. Insulate crawl spaces with bubble foil insulation.
• DIY Radiant Floor Heating: If you're starting a project to add your own radiant floor heating, DIY it right - add EcoFoil Ultra UCB under the radiant flooring to reflect heat from the underside of the tubing back into your home. A radiant barrier adds a good energy savings boost to DIY radiant floor heating systems.
• Vent/Register Insulated Covers: A large house with rooms that you don't use on an everyday basis could benefit from cutting off HVAC flow to those rooms when not in use. A quick, non-permanent DIY solution is insulated vent covers; strong magnets affix the vent cover to the vent installation screws of aluminum vents, or the vent surface of steel vents for no mess, easily reversible installation.
• Water Heater Insulation: If you have a water heater that's ten years old or older you could benefit from adding a blanket of insulation to your water heater. Check the manufacture date first though, newer water heaters carry a 10 year warranty that could be void if you apply external insulation before the warranty expires.