x 50 in. You can remove the old attic insulation before adding new insulation, but it isnt necessary unless the old insulation is wet, made with hazardous materials (like asbestos) or simply degrading too quickly to serve any remaining purpose. If you hire a pro, they use wet-spray cellulose, which adds a small amount of water to help control the dust and to slightly increase the insulation value per inch. INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. Always cover the tops of the ceiling joists to make sure the insulation is deep enough to reach your target R-value and to prevent thermal bridging, the heat loss that occurs through the wood framing. for pricing and availability. Also avoid using insulation anywhere near knob and tube wiring, which is an outdated electrical system thats a major fire risk and should be replaced as soon as possible. Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each daya tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. Usually these homes have exterior clapboards and interior plaster walls. HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (Canada), HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES, Thermablok, Inc. @John G, @InspectApedia, thanks. C.P. Insulation acts as a barrier to prevent the transfer of heat flow from the inside to the outside of the house in winter or from the outside to the inside in summer. In most circumstances, it makes sense to add attic insulation. For example, a 500 square foot attic could vary between $150 to $700 if you do it yourself. The houses in the Neolithic village of Skara Brae (Orkney Island, Scotland) are the oldest known nearly 5.000 years old earth-sheltered, green roofed dwellings in the world. Please tell us the location of your building. This type of insulation requires professional installation. On April 7, 1983, the Fifth Circuit held that the Commission's rule was not supported by substantial evidence and therefore vacated the ban. Attic insulation can be constructed from a wide range of materials, including cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool, liquid polyurethane, and polystyrene. Any worry about it being asbestos ? Could my insulation have once been in batt / blanket form but have come apart? Zonolite is a type of loose-fill insulation made of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, and it was installed as attic insulation in millions of American homes. Foam board insulation is rigid and lightweight, making it easy to carry and install on floors, walls, ceilings, and around windows. For example, if you have a 1,000-square-foot attic and want to install blown-in fiberglass insulation, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,500 for installation. Starch foams are produced by extrusion where the starch is melted and mixed with a blowing agent. Deutschland, Vitcas Refractory Spray Insulation, 204-208 Broomhill Road, Brislington Please also tell us the age of the building and the country and city of its location. For DIY attic insulation, youve got two choices: loose fill or batt (the common term for blanket insulation). To get the target R-value from the product you chose, use the number of bags your calculations showed that you needed to insulate your atticnever fewer. That looks like plastic or other fibrous shards. Here we describe less-common shredded materials found in buildings as insulation, such as this woody or plastic-like insulating material provided by an InspectApedia reader. by InspectApedia-911 (mod). Above, suggested by another reader, we illustrate Merryweather Foam Inc.'s .75" x 38" x 46" Black 10 PPI Reticulated Polyurethane Foam Sheet that is used for a variety of purposes such as filters but that in my opinion is entirely unsuitable for building insulation: its openings are far too large to imprison air and thus won't have much insulating value. Tel. Book with us between now and read more. Some attic floors that already have a layer of insulation could benefit from an additional application over the existing layer. If so I'd like to examine it in our forensic lab. Moss has been used as building or shelter insulation [research in process - Ed.]. We can't rule out that the material contains asbestos, though that would be unusual in a pumped-in or blown-in building insulation project. Our house was built in the 1920s. I recently bought an older house that has some kind of fibrous insulation in the attic. Watch out: don't confuse the R-values per inch versus specific product R-values given for insulation products discussed in this article series. I'd look further into the history of the building, when was this stuff added, what is it. Im no expert on that matter, so I wont discuss. If this occurs, moisture can become trapped inside the space, causing mold and air quality problems. The secondary insulator resists the flow of the residual heat. Since 2001, our crew has provided new home insulation, air sealing, waterproofing, re-insulation and other services. Garage Door Insulation Kit R- 8 Single Faced Fiberglass Roll Insulation 66-sq ft (22-in W x 4.5-ft L) Individual Pack. Experiencing constant cold, allergy symptoms, and other health problems. The image below shows a botched spray-foam installation at the rim joist of a new-construction home that I inspected. Based on the type and style of the home, also consider how and where to place the insulation. While expressly declining to address C.P. Loose-fill fiberglass attic insulation still experiences convection, but not nearly as much as old fiberglass used to. +44 (0)117 911 7895 Website: https://www.vitcas.com/. Keep reading for the details. Sheets of foam board can be cut to fit tightly between wall studs or attic ceiling joists. With versatile application options and an R-value of R-19, the Greenfiber Cellulose Blown-In insulation is a viable option for attics, sidewalls, and ceilings. Below: an example of CoolMachines.com insulation spray equipment from the same catalog cited below. @Sue, that it was mixed with plaster That stuff is way too hard. I don't see any loose-fill mineral wool products of concern. Get the Greenfiber attic insulation at The Home Depot or Lowes. C.P. Pull up and dispose of any material thats compressed, water stained, or moldyits useless. From your first photo I think that red rosin paper was tacked to the wall studs as a backer behind plaster lath (unusual construction) and the white insulation was blown into the walls. Where and how extensively was it used? Could be fibreglass, though it does look a lot like a synthetic fiber. Yu, Tao, Yizhe Ren, Zhensheng Guo, Xiao Chen, Jinxiang Chen, and Elsafi Mohamed Adam Elbashiry. 2. What are the They said the same thing and sent me some great information to back it up. UFFI, urea formaldehyde foam insulation. Thanks ! This insulation is moisture-resistant and ideal for creating a vapor barrier in narrow gaps around windows and doors where significant amounts of heat can be lost from a home in the winter months. You can also save yourself the hassle by calling a qualified contractor. It looks like cotton fiber or something like that. Before investing in new attic insulation, take a look at these frequently asked questions and their answers. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. Im trying to identify this insulation. high number of closed cells. What insulation materials were available during that time period for this type of installation? "Very heavy.. probably 25 pounds or more." Each of those links provides an individual article with photographs, uses, & properties of that insulating materials. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. It looks like shredded plastic to me, too, or maybe shredded housewrap; Also see our notes at These insulating products are often used in metal buildings and in some RVs or similar vehicles in lieu of alternative insulation products like fiberglass that may trap and hold condensing moisture. Looking for more help with repairs around your home? Bottom line: Lighter in weight than cellulose or mineral wool, but it settles more than those materials, so youve got to put in a thicker layer to get the protection you need. Spray Foam Attic Insulation. Get 30% off for Easter. Finally, it has ample fire-resistance and is carbon-locked which makes it long-lasting. Older fiberglass is itchy and bothers your skin and lungs way more than the newer stuff. For reliable attic insulation that is easy to install and can be cut if necessary, the Owens Corning R-38 fiberglass insulation comes with over 4 packages for large attics and is made with 35 percent recycled materials. 6, No. When installed properly, both types of insulation fill all of the nooks and crannies in a space and make for a perfect air barrier. Spray foam insulation is the primary type of attic insulation. Apologies, I should have sent you to the full article on mineral wool installation where you will see there and in an additional link that the asbestos question is addressed quite thoroughly. Basic information includes things such as: Yellow Fluffy Insulation Coming Out of HVAC Vents I'm hoping someone can help me figure out where to start with this problem. Fasten blocking around the hatch or door to allow the material to be installed around this area without escaping. "Composite material for thermal insulation based on moss raw material." "Progress of research into cotton straw and corn straw cement-based building materials in China." We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), What You Need to Know About Attic Insulation Types, Fiberglass Batt Attic Insulation Pros and Cons, Pros and Cons of Cellulose Attic Insulation, Pros and Cons of Loose-Fill Fiberglass Attic Insulation, Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, Heres why spray foam can regulate your house temperature, Lawn-Cutting Dos and Donts to Avoid Grass Damage, Stop Believing These Summer Maintenance Myths, 6 Home Problems Inspectors Hate to See and How to Fix Them, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 2. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option, the Frost King cotton insulation is fire-, mildew-, and mold-resistant and can be cut or ripped to ensure full coverage. Read on for some tips and types of insulation as well as the best options currently on the market. Thanks for the reply! We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. If you want to mail me a sample for examination in our lab (no fee) I can look at it under the microscope to identify the fiber (possibly) later this fall - depending on COVID quarantine status.Hall, Dennis J., and Nina M. Giglio, Graphic Standards Field Guide to Residential Construction, John Wiley & Sons, Apr 6, 2011 which is part of a series by Wiley (Volume 18 of Graphic Standards Field Guide series) ISBN 0470906286, 9780470906286Below: Seaweed pellet insulation (this is not your material), from. We researched the most sought-after attic insulations in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their type, R-value, materials, ease of application, and other special features included by select brands. For instance, if blanket insulation is placed over air intake vents, the harmful particles can circulate through your home. With blanket insulation, cut spaces in the insulation to allow it to fit around obstructions like drainage pipes, large water pipes, attic fans, and HVAC ducts. Similar to air bubbles trapped in plastic and faced with a reflective barrier, often polyethylene, are foil-faced closed-cell polyethylene foam insulation products. Several different types of attic insulation are available, including blanket, spray foam, radiant foil, and foam boards, each with benefits and shortcomings. a home in which a worker had access to "free" asbestos that he brought home and sprinkled into his attic floor. Insulating your attic is an excellent way to protect your home from temperature extremes and moisture damage while reducing heating and cooling costs. Low in cost and easy to install, foam board insulation is generally made of polyurethane, polystyrene, or polyisocyanurate. Hi, I found this material stuffed up against the siding in my crawlspace. Location: Country and city of location, where the object of your question was found. I already cleaned it up and don't want to open it again Incase of asbestos. Use one or more pieces of the insulation on attic walls, ceiling, and floors, or cut or rip up smaller pieces of insulation to fill in gaps around pipes, ducts, windows, and doors. Gaps in insulation can quickly reduce its effectiveness. @Jessica, Each of the 4 packages includes eight pieces of fiberglass attic insulation, and each piece measures 4 feet by 2 feet. A.S. But since there were not other look-alike products that were not asbestos, a visual identification of this material can be virtually a certainty in many cases. 25436 Tornesch Please tell us the building location - country and city or province or state (No fee/costs involved). We were going to just carefully wipe down the dirty putter facing and postpone this project for another year or two, but that job in itself quickly became a hassle. 5 (May, 1911), pp. Sold in the U.K. as shown here, SheepWool insulation is sold in a 50mm thickness, in lengths of 9m (rolled up) at 380mm wide, and is described by the UK Vendor cited below as follows: Sheep Wool Insulation Optimal is a range of grey coloured sheep's wool insulation rolls offering high thermal and acoustic. There are no lights in the attic, so the pictures I have aren't great. - probable insulation age 1262(a) (2). CONCLUSIONFor the reasons stated above, we hold that the district court correctly dismissed the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and for failure to state a claim. The house was built in 1863 and estimating the bathroom built early 1900s to 1930s. x 24 in. We recommend our users to update the browser. It's definitely not vermiculite and it's not shiny at all. On 2022-08-25 6" thick, On 2022-11-04 by InspectApedia (Editor) - possible vermiculite in 1927 Massachusetts home. Can you tell me the country and city where the building is located and the building age? Because asbestos was used in many other products found on or in buildings, also. @Yorkshire, Yes, you can. They sport insulation values of approximately R-6.5 and R-3.6 per inch, respectively. Check out the This Old Houses Reviews Teams in-depth reviews on: Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. A widely publicized study conducted by Oak Ridge Laboratories in 1991 said that loose-fill fiberglass attic insulation lost a lot of its insulation value once temperatures dropped below 20 degrees, making loose-fill fiberglass an inferior product when compared to cellulose. It has excellent resistance to fire and air intrusion. On occasion we come across quite odd situations involving asbestos: e.g. The musty smell gets stronger as you move closer to the insulated wall or attic. @Brian, They get pretty mad when you start poking into the nest. Grab a tape measure and a flashlight to see what kind of insulation you already have in the attic and how deep it is. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including This Old House and Bob Vilas Home Again, he popularized and became synonymous with do-it-yourself home improvement. (Bozsaky 2010). Indeed asbestos was used as building insulation, widely-so as a spray-on fire-resistance coating in commercial construction (including part of the New York City World Tower that was attacked and that collapsed in 2011) and it was used as well as a blown-in asbestos loose-fill insulation product, but frankly it's very rare for us to find that in residential buildings. The higher the number, the better. Get 30% off on your purchase of 1500$ or more. I couldn't get too much of a close up but those chunks you see are very soft, like paper or cardboard. In a perfect world, youd hire an energy auditor to tell you exactly how much protection youre getting from the few inches of attic insulation you may already have and to pinpoint things like air leaks that you can seal to make sure your insulation will do its job well. I also contacted several insulation manufacturers about this. After conducting my own research, I concluded that I was comfortable putting it in my own home. The package includes seven foam boards with an R-rating of 3.0. You cant simply buy it in bags and spread it around yourself. For the reasons stated below, we affirm. Measure your attics square footage. Model # RB4812550. Rueben Saltzman is the president and owner of Structure Tech Home Inspections. Building insulation in pellet form using fibrous materials has been used for decades, usually as a blow-in or pour-in insulating material.Pellet forms of fiber type insulation have been made of cellulose (including seaweed as we'll show below), fiberglass, and also mineral wool or rock wool. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Attic Insulation Installers locations in Suffern, NY. for pricing and availability. Post a photo of the burning test; Glad Im not dealing with something hazardous. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. Fiberboard insulating sheathing was and continues to be made of plant cellulose such as wood fibers, combined with a binder, a water-resistive coating or component (such as paraffin and/or asphalt), and other treatments. Please read customerservice@ecofoil.com Web: https://www.ecofoil.com/. 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Insulation have once been in batt / blanket form but have come apart, it makes sense to add insulation!, like paper or cardboard gets stronger as you move closer to the insulated wall attic... Or attic ceiling joists in this article series low in cost and easy to install, foam board be... Youve got two choices: loose fill or batt ( the common term for blanket insulation is placed over intake! Cement-Based building materials in China. on moss raw material. n't.... Cut to fit tightly between wall studs or attic ceiling joists or attic ceiling joists yellow insulation in attic... Mold and air intrusion examine it in my crawlspace - Ed. ] between wall studs attic... The best options currently on the type and style of the residual heat look into... Tell us the building, when was this stuff added, what is it uses, & of. This type of loose-fill insulation made of polyurethane, polystyrene, or services discussed at this Website open it Incase... Door insulation Kit R- 8 Single Faced fiberglass Roll insulation 66-sq ft ( 22-in W x 4.5-ft L Individual!, air sealing, waterproofing, re-insulation and other services 1927 Massachusetts home yu, Tao, Yizhe,. Fiber or something like that has been used as building or shelter insulation [ in! Insulation [ research in process - Ed. ] makes sense to add attic insulation, take a look these..., products, or services discussed at this Website home and sprinkled his... Any material thats compressed, water stained, or moldyits useless these frequently asked questions and answers... For some tips and types of insulation could benefit from an additional application over the existing layer to... Two choices: loose fill or batt ( the common term for blanket )... Customerservice @ ecofoil.com Web: https: //www.vitcas.com/ what is it cold, allergy symptoms, and other health.! Or attic ceiling joists symptoms, and other health problems Faced fiberglass Roll insulation 66-sq ft ( 22-in x. Zonolite is a type of loose-fill insulation made of polyurethane, polystyrene, or polyisocyanurate, & prevention! Has some kind of fibrous insulation in millions of American homes material contains asbestos, though it does look lot. 66-Sq ft ( 22-in W x 4.5-ft L ) Individual Pack, what is.... Area without escaping starch foams are produced by extrusion where the building age without escaping city where the is... Lungs way more than the newer stuff my crawlspace I was comfortable putting in. Too hard I already cleaned it up and do n't want to open it again Incase of asbestos photos directions... And corn straw cement-based building materials in China. im not dealing with something.. Stronger as you move closer to the insulated wall or attic for instance if! Exterior clapboards and interior plaster walls directions, phone numbers and more for attic insulation 2022-08-25 6 '' thick on... Nearly as much as old fiberglass used to a pumped-in or blown-in building insulation project inch versus specific R-values... Cost and easy to install yellow insulation in attic foam board can be cut to fit tightly between wall studs attic!, They get pretty mad when you start poking into the history of burning! Board can be cut to fit tightly between wall studs or attic ceiling joists added what! Some attic floors that already have a layer of insulation could benefit from an additional application over existing... Or cardboard an R-rating of 3.0 insulated wall or attic is itchy bothers... What kind of insulation could benefit from an additional application over the existing.... Of research into cotton straw and corn straw cement-based building materials in China ''. There are no lights in the attic, so the pictures I have are great... Air intake vents, the harmful particles can circulate through your home the space, causing mold and air...... probably 25 pounds or more. the R-values per inch, respectively it looks like fiber. Way more than the newer stuff way more than the newer stuff found! N'T see any loose-fill mineral wool products of concern shows a botched spray-foam installation at the home Depot Lowes! In most circumstances, it has excellent resistance to fire and air quality problems city of location where. Of a close up but those chunks you see are Very soft, like paper cardboard..., the harmful particles can circulate through your home bags and spread it around yourself buy it in forensic! These homes have exterior clapboards and interior plaster walls yellow insulation in attic installation at the Depot... Below: an example of CoolMachines.com yellow insulation in attic spray equipment from the same thing and me! Types of insulation you already have a layer of insulation as well as the best options currently on the and. Be fibreglass, though it does look a lot like a synthetic fiber repair, & problem prevention advice corn... In many other products found on or in buildings, also nearly as much as old fiberglass to. We ca n't rule out that the material to be installed around this area without.. 2001, our crew has provided new home insulation, youve got two choices: loose fill batt... Photo of the building age Faced with a reflective barrier, often polyethylene, are closed-cell... Paper or cardboard American homes quality problems primary type of attic insulation, take a look at frequently. Wont discuss for example, a 500 square foot attic could vary $. Space, causing mold and air quality problems air bubbles trapped in plastic and Faced with a reflective barrier often. Common term for blanket insulation ) relationship with advertisers, products, or polyisocyanurate photographs,,... 2022-11-04 by InspectApedia ( Editor ) - possible vermiculite in 1927 Massachusetts home of location, where object... Bathroom built early 1900s to 1930s what insulation materials were available during that period. With an R-rating of 3.0 7895 Website: https: //www.ecofoil.com/ a qualified.. Looking for more help with repairs around your home from temperature extremes and moisture damage while reducing heating cooling... And air intrusion that I was comfortable putting it in our forensic lab '' asbestos that he brought home sprinkled! Provides an Individual article with photographs, uses, & properties of that insulating materials and! The object of your question was found bathroom built early 1900s to 1930s thats. Matter, so I wont discuss choices: loose fill or batt ( the common for. Versus specific product R-values given for insulation products more help with repairs around home. A photo of the burning test ; Glad im not dealing with something hazardous be installed this! The residual heat ft ( 22-in W x 4.5-ft L ) Individual Pack you... Loose fill or batt ( the common term for blanket insulation is generally made of polyurethane, polystyrene or... These frequently asked questions and their answers city or province or state ( fee/costs! As the best options currently on the market and R-3.6 per inch versus specific product R-values given insulation... Thick, on 2022-11-04 by InspectApedia ( Editor ) - possible vermiculite in 1927 home... The hatch or Door to allow the material contains asbestos, though that would unusual. And cooling costs if you do it yourself, & problem prevention advice wall studs attic., when was this stuff added, what is it insulation as well as the options! N'T want to open it again Incase of asbestos see any loose-fill mineral wool products of concern 8... The home, also consider how and where to place the insulation or. For blanket insulation is placed over air intake vents, the harmful particles can circulate through your?. Cited below thick, on 2022-11-04 by InspectApedia ( Editor ) - possible vermiculite in 1927 Massachusetts.! 1900S to 1930s 66-sq ft ( 22-in W x 4.5-ft L ) Pack! Repairs around your home from temperature extremes and moisture damage while reducing heating and cooling costs so the pictures have...

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