How to Make a Drywall Access Panel – install fiberglass insulation. This project is continued from Part 2.

Insulate the Crawlspace

The home builder cut corners and failed to insulate the rear wall of the crawlspace behind bedroom closet. Now that I’ve got an access panel it’ll be easy to insulate the wall with R-13 kraft-faced fiberglass insulation. I purchased two rolls of Ownens Corning insulation at Home Depot and used 1-1/2 rolls on the job.

Cautionary Word about Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is made of fine glass fibers that can irritate your skin and lungs. You should wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants and a dust mask. I always do… really… even for small jobs like this. Do be sure to wash off afterwards.

Install Fiberglass Insulation Batts

Working inside the cramped wall cavity between the closet and exterior wall, I measured and cut batts of insulation to length using a pair of heavy scissors, following the slope of the roof.

The insulation is stapled by the flanges as shown with a 3/8 inch staples and staple gun. Install each batt of insulation against the last column leaving no gaps.

The kraft face (paper side) of the insulation goes against the wall.

The backside of the plywood access panel is insulated as shown.

Having insulated the closet and installed the new NM 14/2 electrical cable for a floodlight, I’m ready to close the access panel.

You can use the technique shown here to make a plywood access panel to suit your needs.

Hope this helps,

Bob Jackson