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| Since fiber glass blankets compress so easily, can I increase the effectiveness of my
insulation by squeezing a 5 1/2", R-21 blanket into a 2 x 4 wall instead of using 3 1/2", R-15 blankets? |
No. Compressing fiber glass blanket insulation into a smaller wall space will not necessarily increase
your insulation's efficiency. Fiber glass insulation works on the principle of trapped air pockets. By compressing
fiber glass insulation, you decrease the amount of air trapped in the material. For example, compressing R-19 into a 2x4
wall will give you an R-13 value. It would be better to buy the product that best fits in the space. R-13 or R-15 batts
are the best products for a 2x4 wall.
To see a general compression chart, click here.
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| Should I staple the facing to the front of the stud or to the inside? |
Either is acceptable. Most drywall installers prefer to have the kraft paper stapled to the inside. Inset stapling allows them to
glue the drywall and gives a smoother surface to attach to. The flanges are not part of the vapor retarder so faced stapling does
not give you a better seal.
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