Building a Chicken Coop Pt. 6 - Installing Insulation and Vapor Barrier + Sheathing Interior Walls, by Traplines and Inlines on YouTube. 31 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 31 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Measure the wall cavities between the studs so you know the width and thickness of insulation to buy. Note the depth of each bay so the batts sit flush with the stud faces.
Put on safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask before handling fiberglass. Cut each batt slightly wider than the cavity so it stays in place by friction.
Press the batts into the wall cavities, paper or foil side facing the warm interior. Fill every bay fully and tuck the edges tight around wires and corners.
Stretch the poly vapor barrier over the insulated wall and staple it to the studs every 6 to 12 inches. Overlap seams by at least 6 inches.
Seal all seams, edges and staple lines with vapor barrier tape or a bead of acoustic sealant. Cut around outlets and vents, then tape those edges too.
Measure and cut OSB panels to fit the walls, leaving openings for the door, windows and vents. Score and snap or saw along your cut lines.
Hold each panel against the studs and screw or nail it in place, driving fasteners into the studs rather than the insulation. Work from one corner across the wall.
Check that the vapor barrier is not torn anywhere before you close up the last section. Patch any holes with tape so moist air cannot reach the insulation.
Tips and common mistakes
Never compress fiberglass batts, because squashing them cuts their insulating value.
Keep the vapor barrier on the warm side of the wall so moisture does not condense inside the insulation.
Leave small gaps at the top and bottom of walls for ventilation, since chickens produce a lot of moisture.
Wear a dust mask and gloves when cutting fiberglass and OSB to avoid itching and breathing dust.
Questions
Do I need a vapor barrier in a chicken coop?
Yes, in a heated or well-sealed coop a poly barrier keeps warm moist air out of the insulation. Without it, moisture can condense inside the wall and rot the framing.
Can I use foam board instead of fiberglass?
Yes, rigid foam works well and is easier to cut cleanly. It costs more but resists moisture better in damp coops.
How thick should the insulation be?
Match the batt thickness to the depth of your stud bays, usually 3.5 inches for 2x4 walls. Fill the cavity fully without compressing the material.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
