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General => General Forum => Topic started by: jimbob44 on September 13, 2005, 02:55:19 PM

Title: Prevent celulose insulation from settling ?
Post by: jimbob44 on September 13, 2005, 02:55:19 PM
I am wondering how to prevent celulose insulation from settling, leaving an air gap, when installed between floor joists and also when installed in walls.
For the floor, I thought that maybe if the celulose was mounded up and then compressed with the subfloor, that a settling gap might not occur. Anyone tried that?
For the wall, go back in later through a hole at the top of the wall and top off the celulose after it's settled.
Comments please...
Title: Re: Prevent celulose insulation from settling ?
Post by: Amanda_931 on September 13, 2005, 09:01:30 PM
Two not-so-easy ways to use cellulose products that don't settle not supposed to anyway.

1. dense-pack cellulose.  Somebody named John Raabe mentioned it in the old forum.  Wonder if he's still using it?   ;)

http://www.countryplans.com/bbs/messages/3896.html

here's a link to a manufacturer/installer.  Problem is that it doesn't seem to be a DYI system.

http://www.regalind.com/regal_wall.htm

2.  Cotton batts.  A couple of companies make them, claim, of course all kinds of super properties.  Run a search for manufacturer's info.

http://www.toolbase.org/techinv/techDetails.aspx?technologyID=227

This last link also mentions the use of wool as insulation.  Naturally pretty fireproof, if it's straight off the sheep apparently moth-proof as well.

But you're on your own there,  no way for a company to start a sheep factory, although the last time I looked at wool, there was at least one company in the US or Canada selling unprocessed fleeces for insulation.  That should make the farm more money than selling them to a broker to sell to a .................. to sell to you as a nylon-wool sweater and been around the world twice.

Cotton batts certainly can be DIY, seems like a couple of years ago they were being sold as direct replacement for fiberglass--not the bend to put in that's in that link.  


Title: Re: Prevent celulose insulation from settling ?
Post by: Jerry Hambley on September 15, 2005, 07:00:51 PM
I had cellulose blown into my office walls and attic using a technique that mixed the cellulose with a light water spray. It forms a sticky crust (like a spit ball) and pretty much stays right where it was blown when dry.

I have included some photo links below:

http://www.alpinecreek.com/parkerkansas/images/insulate/dsc_0062.jpg

http://www.alpinecreek.com/parkerkansas/images/insulate/dsc_0065.jpg

http://www.alpinecreek.com/parkerkansas/images/insulate/dsc_0078.jpg

I have 2 x 6 wall construction and 2 x 10 rafters. R-21 in the walls, R-40 in the ceiling.

The web site of the gentlemen I used is:
http://www.insulatekc.com
Title: Re: Prevent celulose insulation from settling ?
Post by: Jerry Hambley on September 15, 2005, 07:11:28 PM
I forgot to mention that they used a netting in the catherdral ceiling and blew the cellulose behind it. The entire cavity was packed (no venting as with typical fiberglass)

here is a photo of the netting:

http://www.alpinecreek.com/parkerkansas/images/insulate/insulateweb.jpg
Title: Re: Prevent celulose insulation from settling ?
Post by: Amanda_931 on September 15, 2005, 08:27:46 PM
And all it needs is to be DIY to be perfect!

(I'm not being sarcastic)

This seems to be the manufacturer's web site.

No mention of the netting, but it sounds like a pretty good idea.

http://www.centralfiber.com/xcell.html