alternative insulation in houses
 

Has anyone used anything different to fibreglass to insulate their attics and basements? I have been looking at different materials trying to find a non-hazardous (well, as little as possible) more environmentally friendly and low allergy alternative.

I've come across cotton/recycled denim material and also sheep wool. I've read that they are also fire resistant and the denim stuff is meant to be mold resistant but they're both more expensive (funny old thing) and I've read that the denim stuff is meant to be a bugger to cut.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Cellulose (shredded newsprint) has been used in attics for quite a few years. Stryofoam SM could be used in walls but it's expensive. Spray foam is also used as a wall and cavity insulation.

Here's some info from CMHC about various forms of insulation http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/mah...efcosa_002.cfm

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Mike Holmes was advocating the cotton based stuff wasnt he?


I would go for mineral Roxul in preference to actual fiberglass any day of the week. Much less irritating to work with in more than one sense. Its a by product of the steel industry too IIRC, so green. My basement was retrofitted with 2"SM Blue (solid foam sheeting), with 4" Roxul on top, and the difference is night and day compared to before, my guess is that although it was fairly expensive, its paying for itself.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ent/3Roxul.jpg

For attics that you dont intend to go in the blown cellulose is an effective solution, but you have the hassle of installing all the baffles to prevent it blocking the air circulation.


I though this thread was going to be about straw houses. Someone built one near me, its a neat idea.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Thanks Steve. I've been watching the home programs lately and the spray foam seems to be the mutt's nuts but I'm a little concerened if it gives off chemicals/gas afterwards.

Are you a handy-man?! - because I have lots of diy questions:)

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Yeah I saw Mike Holmes working with the cotton stuff on one of his programs.

I'd love to build a straw house!! but money, time and hubby prevent me from doing it! I'm looking at trying to make my house and garden somewhat more eco friendly/self sustainable but budget friendly too:D

Any diy buff's out there let me know coz I have lots of questions!

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

I did my own basement...
Before:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...tcondition.jpg

After:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...09007Large.jpg

Still got some trim to do:( Running out of motivation now its livable and saving me money.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

At one time, not any more.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Nice one! Should I look at jumping on to another thread about doing up basements from scratch?

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Think there was one a while back... its not the first time Ive put those pics up.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Old Basement thread here. Still loving mine and now that the TV is on the wall and speakers up too I spend way too much time down there!

I just went with the standard fibreglass insulation.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Cheers Hobbess, Just checked out the water leaking one from Kydney stone too. I'll get posting on it later after I've done some work.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Nice. The chair rail is a bit low for my liking and lining-up the joins on the floor is best avoided. Otherwise nice.

The mitre angle on that corner is probably 22.5, BTW. When you get around to it.

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Yeah, Im kicking myself about the joints in the laminate, but I'll be damned if Im going to rip it up and fix it now...

The ceiling is low, 7', so the "chair rail" as you call it, is low to create an illusion of more height. (An illusion shatterd by anyone over 6' whacking their head on the low bit where the ducts are!)

Its not really a chair rail anyway, its more there to tie in with the banquette seating with the storage underneath it that you cant see in that pic. That in itself was really there as an excuse to have extra storage and a few extra matresses for kids sleepovers... it extends along from the cupboard that all the water gubbins is now hidden away in.

Dont really have a pic of that... its in the background of this one...
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...09016Large.jpg


22.5, OK, I'll take your word for it:D

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

Yeah, dont do anything until its dry down there!

Re: alternative insulation in houses
 

I've been a certified energy advisor for the past 3 years or so, although my wife says I've been certified for many more years than that, so here is my advice on your insulation.
Recycled denim has about the same R value as fibreglass, is more expensive and yes, it's a bugger to cut. Sheep's wool is also expensive and can be difficult to source. Blown-in cellulose is OK, but the stuff that you can get and install yourself will settle in time. The product insulation contractors often use will not settle. Roxul batts are much better than fibreglass and are easier to handle. Whatever you use in the attic you will still have to maintain an airflow from the eaves into the attic space.
For the basement do the same as Iaink, he's done a grand job. 2" of styrofoam board will give a value of R10, add to this the Roxul and it gives a sound job. You don't need a vapor barrier if you follow Iaink's example shown in his photos. Make sure that the basement has no leaks before you install anything. Insulating a basement is one of the best upgrades that you can do on your home and it will make a big difference.
Finally, get an energy assessment done first. It will show you many useful things that can be done to reduce your energy bills and where your home is leaking heat. Also, in Monday's budget the feds look as if they will re-introduce their Eco-action grant scheme for another year and so there will some grant money available for your insulation works.