Installation is easy. You stack one bale on top of the other. Make sure to anchor the straw bales well to the foundation and roof.
How do you install greenfiber ceiling insulation?
Consider laying a kneeboard across the ceiling joists to provide a platform for standing or kneeling during installation. Open a bag of GreenFiber and gradually feed the insulation into the hopper, making sure to break the material down manually by hand to reduce clumps and prevent the blowing hose from getting clogged.
What are the steps to install insulation?
Instructions. 1 Step 1: Choose Your Materials. Before installing, determine the insulation material best suited for your home. There are several types of batt and ... 2 Step 2: Choose Your Insulation Type. 3 Step 3: Determine R-Value. 4 Step 4: Calculate How Much You Need. 5 Step 5: Prepare the Space. More items
How do you fill an attic with insulation?
Hold the hose approximately 3 feet above the installation surface and distribute the insulation evenly. Do not block soffits or cover heat sources with insulation unless they are type IC rated for contact with insulation. Fill to the desired depth, using attic markings and rulers as guides. Use all the bags required to achieve your desired R-value.
How do you insulate a wall with plastic?
Check the insulation manufacturer's instructions for the necessary thickness of plastic. Overlap the seams by about 12 inches and run the plastic up the walls at least 6 inches. Tape the plastic to the walls and seal the seams with tape or hold them in place with lumber.
How do you apply cellulose insulation?
1:352:50Cellulose Insulation -How To Install Blown Insulation by YourselfYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you have some tight spots like under the eaves in your house or and this is a cathedralMoreAnd if you have some tight spots like under the eaves in your house or and this is a cathedral ceiling. Take a four or five foot piece of two-inch PVC pipe. And duct tape it to the end of the hose.
How do you install insulation fill?
0:060:49Installing Faced Batt Insulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe fit should be snug. And the vapor retarder should face the conditioned interior space unless youMoreThe fit should be snug. And the vapor retarder should face the conditioned interior space unless you were instructed otherwise. For your safety carefully remove any loose wood or nails as you proceed.
How deep should loose fill insulation be?
When blown into attics and wall spaces, loose-fill fiberglass offers an average R-2.5 thermal value per inch (the higher the number, the greater the insulating effect). You'd need a thickness of about 7.5 inches of insulation to match the insulating value of a batt of R-19 insulation (R-19 is a common batt value).
How do you install cellulose insulation in walls?
A series of 2-inch holes are drilled horizontally through the drywall so the holes are centered in between each wall stud. The nozzle or fill tube is placed into each hole in turn to fill the wall cavity. When using the nozzle, the Cellulose insulation is sprayed directly into the wall cavity until it is filled.
Does the foil side of insulation go in or out?
If you're wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room.
Does insulation have to be stapled?
Stapling the insulation batts is not necessary to secure them in most cases. However, it is the easiest way to keep them in place, as most products are already equipped with tabs or strips for stapling into the framing joists.
Can you have too much insulation in your attic?
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
Is blown-in insulation better than rolls?
The Differences Between Blown-in and Rolled Insulation In terms of R-value, they tend to be equal, although you can choose rolled insulation with varying R-values depending on your needs and your budget. The lower the R-value is, the less effective it will be as insulation – although it will be cheaper as well.
How thick should insulation be in walls?
In the walls: Typically, there is not an abundance of space inside your walls, so packing in the insulation isn't a bad idea. To get an R-value of 13 to 16, you will need four to five inches of insulation. However, if you use a more effective type of insulation, you may be able to get away with less.
How do you insulate a wall without removing drywall?
Injection foam insulation is the answer to insulating walls without removing drywall. There are several types of injection foam available out there, including the RetroFoam product we use. These materials don't require the drywall in your home to be taken down.
How do you install loose-fill insulation in walls?
2:414:19ProCat® Professional Loosefill Insulation for Walls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInsert the wall hose attachment toward the bottom of the cavity through the 3-inch hole you've justMoreInsert the wall hose attachment toward the bottom of the cavity through the 3-inch hole you've just drilled continue to insert the hose to the proper depth marker.
Is cellulose insulation good for walls?
When done right, dense-packed cellulose is a highly efficient option for insulating exterior walls. It insulates as well if not better than the average batt (R3. 5-3.8/inch), and slows air flow through walls making your house cheaper and easier to heat and cool.
How do you install loose fill insulation in walls?
2:414:19ProCat® Professional Loosefill Insulation for Walls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInsert the wall hose attachment toward the bottom of the cavity through the 3-inch hole you've justMoreInsert the wall hose attachment toward the bottom of the cavity through the 3-inch hole you've just drilled continue to insert the hose to the proper depth marker.
Which side of insulation faces out?
It should always face the warm-in-winter side. Thus, in cold climates, it should face the interior; in hot humid climates, it should face the exterior. If a vapor barrier is installed on the wrong side, it can trap moisture inside wall cavities causing condensation to accumulate.
How do you add insulation to an existing wall?
To add insulation to any exterior wall, holes are drilled between the studs of the existing walls. Then, spray foam, cellulose, or another form of loose-fill insulation can be blown in to fill up the wall cavities. Finally, the holes must be plugged up and refinished to match the rest of the wall.
Can I put blown in insulation by hand?
Wouldn't it be far easier to just bring a few bales home and sprinkle it around by hand? Yes, it is. And you can absolutely install loose fill insulation without a machine. If you have a small section that you need to tackle, this is a great way to get it done without the hassles of weighty machinery.
Different Types of Green Insulation
Look at your options when it comes to environmentally-friendly insulation. There are many different types of insulation that are eco-friendly, healthy for you, and energy-saving in the long run—all the things you want. Find the one that works best with your home and your budget.
Green Insulation in Your Home
Green insulation is better for the environment and it’s better for you, too. Other than cost, there’s really no downside to using green insulation in your home.
How Much Should I Add?from energystar.gov
The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
How to make a platform for a purlin?from insulation.org
Create a “platform” with banding under the purlins and over frames by securing the bands to the end wall frames and eave struts. There should be parallel and perpendicular banding. Refer to suppliers’ instructions for proper spacing.
Why should faced insulation be perforated?from insulation.org
If faced insulation is used, either the interior or exterior facing should be perforated to avoid a double vapor retarder condition. The side to be perforated is climate and occupancy dependant. See Section C for insulation R-values and girt depths required to meet specified U-Factors. Insul-Hold.
How to know if a floor is stable?from insulation4less.com
Ensure the floor is stable by checking the joist stability . If there is plyboard installed, remove part of it to inspect the condition of the joists underneath. If your attic is finished, the size should be 2x8. If your attic is unfinished, the size may be 2x6 or 2x4. The boards should be less than 16 inches apart, measured between one joist center and the next one.
How much heat does attic insulation transfer?from insulation4less.com
It radiates heat transfer as much as 97%, which is extremely important when you install attic insulation due to the proximity to the sun as a major heat source
How to install a fabric liner panel?from insulation.org
Locate the correct fabric liner panel for the bay to be installed. Stretch this panel from frame to frame and eave strut to eave strut or eave strut to splice point atop the banding platform under the purlin. Secure fabric in place temporarily with clamps. The liner panel will be wider than bay so as to allow the liner fabric to be adhered to the top of the primary structural framing.
How much does it cost to replace insulation in an attic?from insulation4less.com
If your attic has already been insulated and you are considering replacing your insulation, this will cost between $2 and $8.50 per square foot , on average. Removing your old insulation may cost around $1 to $1.50 per square foot. Of course, the exact amount depends on the type of insulation you choose.
What is the best insulation for studs?
Blanket-type insulation comes in two forms: rolls and batts, either of which is a good choice for insulating interior open-stud walls. Both rolls and batts—a rectangle of insulation, sold flat in packages—typically come in 8-foot lengths, a standard ceiling height. Insulation is sized to fit between studs, usually spaced 16 or 24 inches apart; be sure to measure the space between the studs before buying.
How to calculate how much insulation to buy?
To calculate how much rolled or batted insulation to buy, measure floor to ceiling and multiply by the number of between-the-studs spaces you need to fill. That's your total lineage. Measure the distance between the studs; that will determine the width of the insulation you buy. To calculate the number of rolls or batts you need, divide the total lineage by the length of the batt (usually 8 feet) or roll (different lengths are available) you'll be working with.
What is a batt made of?
Batts. Generally made of fiberglass, insulation batts and rolls are available either with face coverings or without. Brown Kraft paper is a common facing. Fire-retardant foil sometimes is used to cover batts that will be left exposed in unfinished spaces, such as a garage or basement.
What is the R value of insulation?
Before shopping for insulation, it is important to understand its R-value or its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance to heat loss. The Federal Trade Commission mandates that each package of insulation carry a label that includes its specific R-value as well as health and safety precautions.
What is insulation in a home?
Don Nichols/Getty Images. Insulation is the home improvement that keeps on giving. It keeps you comfortable, saves you a fortune in heating and cooling costs, and even buffers noise within your home. Insulation is very easy to work with. It doesn't require strength or tremendous skill.
What to wear when working with fiberglass insulation?
Always wear tight-fitting breathing protection and safety goggles when working with fiberglass insulation, as it can irritate eyes and airways. For extra comfort, wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves, which will keep the scratchy fibers off your skin where they can cause a rash.
How long has Lee been remodeling?
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years.
What insulation is good for building?
The thermal performance, sound control and fire resistance that cellulose insulation like Greenfiber provides help builders create quality.
How to reuse GreenFiber insulation?
Open a bag of GreenFiber and gradually feed the insulation into the hopper, making sure to break the material down manually by hand to reduce clumps and prevent the blowing hos e from getting clogged. Any spilled insulation should only be reused if it is free of debris. Of course, it’s important to keep your hands, feet and clothing away from moving parts inside the hopper.
What is a soffit baffle?
Soffit baffles. Metal barrier material for three-inch clearance around recessed lights and other heat sources. Do not use paper, cardboard or other potentially combustible materials as a barrier. A vehicle to transport the blowing machine, Greenfiber Insulation and other materials.
How to keep heat from getting trapped in attic?
Check your local code requirements for barriers. Heat trapped by any type of insulation can be a fire hazard. Use baffles or vent chutes to maintain attic ventilation.
What is a tarp for blowing machine?
A tarp to be placed under the blowing machine to catch excess material.
Does insulation cover soffit vents?
Insulation should not cover attic soffit vents. Determine the desired installed thickness of the insulation, and then measure and mark the rafters as a guideline to be used during application. Prepare a rigid barrier around the attic access hole to prevent insulation from falling out when you open the attic door.
How to adjust airflow on a machine?
Make the proper airflow adjustment by either opening your machine’s product slide gate 3/4 of the way or, on some machines, closing the air valve to approximately 1/4 inch.
What is the R value of fiberglass insulation?
Lightweight and cost-effective, fiberglass is a common insulation choice for both new homes and retrofitting older construction. It has a 3.14 R-value per inch ( 2 ). It is available in blankets in either batts or rolls. You can also choose loose fill blown in.
What is Aerogel insulation?
The key to energy-efficient home design is good insulation. Aerogel is a high-tech insulating material used in spacecraft that is now becoming available for residential applications.
What is mycelium made of?
Mycelium is made from the rootlike structures of mushrooms. It can be grown into different shapes and sizes. Currently, people are using forms to grow mycelium into bricks. While the bricks are not strong enough to add structural integrity to your home, they seem to be an excellent natural insulation option.
Why is denim treated with borates?
Denim insulation is treated with borates to make it more fire-resistant and less appealing to pests.
How much R value is straw bale insulation?
The R-value of straw bales varies depending on how tightly packed the straw is, but it ranges between 2.38-0.94 per inch. This value may seem low, but you have to realize that building with strawbale, you have larger than average walls ( 3 ).
Why do sheep's wool sweaters feel warm?
You know how nice and toasty you feel wearing a warm sweater in the winter, even when it’s cold and damp? That’s because of the wonderful natural insulating properties of sheep’s wool.
Why is cellulose insulation not wet?
It is essential cellulose insulation not get wet as it will retain water and slowly settle and deteriorate. It also loses its fire-retardant properties.
What is recycled denim insulation made of?
This insulation is made of recycled blue jeans, i.e. 100% cotton. It is easy to install as it requires no special protective clothing or equipment. What’s better, unlike many other insulation types, recycled denim is not going to emit any unpleasant or dangerous gases into your living space.
Is cellulose insulation good for the attic?
Cellulose insulation is basically made of recycled paper. It is suitable for attic floor or roof insulation and is installed via an electric blowing machine. Cellulose is relatively cheap but not particularly healthy: it is highly flammable and mold-prone. Moreover, it can become a breeding ground for various pests.
Is icynene a good insulation?
This is a strong, durable insulation material, which is sold in the form of spray-in foam cans . Unlike other foams, Icynene does not produce any off-gasses. Its main disadvantage is the price—it is three to four times more expensive than regular fiberglass. Moreover, because it is water-blown, Icynene must be installed by a professional, which further raises its cost.
Is sheep wool insulation good?
Sheep wool has excellent insulation qualities (not surprisingly, people have been making clothes from sheep wool for centuries). Moreover, it is totally eco-friendly and can be used both as a ceiling and sidewall insulation. Unfortunately, sheep wool insulation is not manufactured in the USA and needs to be imported from England, which, of course, raises its overall price.
Why Loose-Fill and Why Blow It In?from thespruce.com
Because heat rises, attics and other above-ceiling areas need a lot of insulation. For places where a high R-38 insulation is required, the recommended thickness of the insulation is as much as 14 inches. With attics' many vents, pipes, and electric cables, it can be difficult to lay down that much insulation with rolls or batts.
What Is an Insulation Blower?from atticsandmore.com
An insulation blower is the tool that roofers and insulation installation professionals use to fill a space with loose fill insulation. This can include attics, walls, or any other area that needs to be insulated with cellulose insulation, fiberglass, or mineral fiber.
How much insulation does a rental blower blow?from thespruce.com
Some rental facilities will deliver the blower. A typical rental insulation blower has a hopper capacity of 4.25 cubic feet or 25 pounds, pushing out 350 pounds of insulation per hour. Weighing 177 pounds, it will require a truck to transport it to your home.
How long does it take to blow insulation into an attic?from thespruce.com
At a maximum, you will be able to blow insulation into an attic within the span of one week.
How many bags does a heat seal blower push?from thespruce.com
Top-quality blowers have a large capacity and enormous speed. For example, the Heat-Seal 5500, pushes between 82 to 135 bags per hour of cellulose or fiberglass. Contractor-grade blowers often exceed 1,500 pounds, with dimensions of 6 feet by 4 feet.
Where is the blower machine located?from thespruce.com
That's where loose-fill blown-in insulation comes in. Located on the ground and outside of the house , the insulation blower forces cellulose, rock wool, or fiberglass insulation into those hard-to-reach areas. The blower machine consists of a hopper (for dumping in bags of loose insulation), engine, the blower itself, and a hose.
What happens if you stand on a joist in the attic?from bobvila.com
If you stand on joists in the attic and lose your balance, your foot will go right through the drywall ceiling below. Don’t risk injury and damage to your home. Instead, position two pieces of about two-by-three-foot plywood across the joists to give you a stable standing area.
