Staple-optional insulation batt for friction-fit and/or stapling applications, and corresponding methods

Abstract

An insulation batt with vapor retarder is adapted to be friction-fit installed in cavities such as vertically extending wall cavities. The batt is adapted to be installed differently in closed cavities compared to open cavities. In certain example embodiments, stapling flanges or tabs are provided on a friction-fit batt so that (a) in closed cavity applications, the batt can be friction-fit installed in a closed cavity without the need for stapling, and (b) in open cavity applications, the same batt can be friction-fit installed and additionally stapled to the studs to significantly improve the batt's ability to withstand environmental conditions without falling out of the cavity.

1 . A method of installing a friction-fit batt into a vertically extending wall cavity, the method comprising: 
 providing an insulation batt including a vapor retarder adhered to insulation comprising fiberglass, wherein the vapor retarder includes flexible flanges provided at edge portions thereof which are flexible relative to a major portion of the vapor retarder, the insulation batt having a width of from about 15¼ to 15¾ inches so as to be a friction-fit type batt;    determining whether the friction-fit type batt is to be installed in a closed cavity or an open cavity;    when it is determined that the friction-fit batt is to be installed in a closed cavity, then pressing the batt into the closed cavity in a friction-fit manner without stapling the flanges to studs which at least partially define the closed cavity; and    when it is determined that the friction-fit batt is to be installed in an open cavity, then pressing the batt into the open cavity in a friction-fit manner and stapling the flanges to studs which at least partially define the open cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor retarder comprises paper.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vapor retarder has a width which is less than a width of the insulation of the batt.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein an edge of the paper is laterally offset from an adjacent edge of the insulation by a distance “d”, wherein distance “d” is from about ⅛ to ½ inches.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein an edge of the paper is laterally offset from an adjacent edge of the insulation by a distance “d”, wherein distance “d” is from about ¼ to ½ inches.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the paper has a width of about 14⅞ inches, not including the flanges thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the batt is installed in the closed cavity, tucking at least part of at least one of the flanges into an edge of the cavity so that what is normally an outer surface of the flange contacts an adjacent stud.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor retarder comprises paper, and wherein each of the flanges uses multiple overlapping portions of the paper so as to be thicker and more durable than a major portion of the vapor retarder which uses only a single layer of the paper.  
   
   
       9 . A method of installing a friction-fit batt into a vertically extending open wall cavity, the method comprising: 
 providing an insulation batt including a vapor retarder adhered to insulation comprising fiberglass, wherein the vapor retarder includes flanges provided at edge portions thereof, the insulation batt having a width of from about 15¼ to 15¾ inches so as to be a friction-fit type batt; and    pressing the batt into the open cavity in a friction-fit manner and stapling the flanges to studs which at least partially define the open cavity.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the vapor retarder comprises paper.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the vapor retarder has a width which is less than a width of the insulation of the batt.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an edge of the paper is laterally offset from an adjacent edge of the insulation by a distance “d”, wherein distance “d” is from about ⅛ to ½ inches.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein an edge of the paper is laterally offset from an adjacent edge of the insulation by a distance “d”, wherein distance “d” is from about ¼ to ½ inches.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the paper has a width of about 14⅞ inches, not including the flanges thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the vapor retarder comprises paper, and wherein each of the flanges uses multiple overlapping portions of the paper so as to be thicker and more durable than a major portion of the vapor retarder which uses only a single layer of the paper.  
   
   
       16 . A method of installing a friction-fit batt into a closed wall cavity, the method comprising: 
 providing an insulation batt including a vapor retarder adhered to insulation comprising fiberglass, wherein the vapor retarder includes flexible flanges provided at edge portions thereof which are flexible relative to a major portion of the vapor retarder, the insulation batt having a width of from about 15¼ to 15¾ inches so as to be a friction-fit type batt;    pressing the batt into the closed cavity in a friction-fit manner without stapling the flanges to studs which at least partially define the closed cavity.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising locating at least part of at least one of the flanges in an edge portion of the cavity so that what is normally an outer surface of the flange contacts an adjacent stud.  
   
   
       18 . A friction-fit insulation batt comprising: 
 an insulation layer comprising fiberglass;    a vapor retarder adhered to the insulation layer comprising fiberglass, wherein the vapor retarder includes flexible flanges provided at edge portions thereof which are flexible relative to a major portion of the vapor retarder; and    wherein the insulation batt has a width of from about 15¼ to 15¾ inches so as to be a friction-fit type batt.    
   
   
       19 . The batt of  claim 18 , wherein the vapor retarder comprises paper.  
   
   
       20 . The batt of  claim 19 , wherein the vapor retarder has a width which is less than a width of the insulation layer.  
   
   
       21 . The batt of  claim 20 , wherein an edge of the paper is laterally offset from an adjacent edge of the insulation layer by a distance “d”, wherein distance “d” is from about ⅛ to ½ inches.  
   
   
       22 . The batt of  claim 21 , wherein an edge of the paper is laterally offset from an adjacent edge of the insulation layer by a distance “d”, wherein distance “d” is from about ¼ to ½ inches.  
   
   
       23 . The batt of  claim 21 , wherein the paper has a width of about 14⅞ inches, not including the flanges thereof.  
   
   
       24 . The batt of  claim 18 , wherein the vapor retarder comprises paper, and wherein each of the flanges uses multiple overlapping portions of the paper so as to be thicker and more durable than a major portion of the vapor retarder which uses only a single layer of the paper.