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cinder block walls

clem | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on February 26, 2006 12:27pm

Hi,

 Hoping to tap some of the experience out there.  I am looking at purchasing an older building, built in 1907.  I am concerned about how to insulate it.  It has a cinder block exterior wall and looks as if there’s just furring strips with drywall on the inside.  I realize the drywall is not original but without tearing into the walls any further that is what I found.  Is it possible that the block is insulated internally? Is the only solution to build interior walls than insulate or is there another solution?  It has a tin ceiling so I’m not sure how I would build an interior wall without having a problem where the wall meets the ceiling.  Perhaps I should just walk away.  Hate to sound ignorant but that’s what I am. 

Appreciate any input.

Thanks

Tom  

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Feb 26, 2006 03:38pm | #1

    It could have vermiculite or pearlite in the cores. Mouse turds for sure.

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

     

    1. User avater
      MarkH | Feb 26, 2006 04:55pm | #4

      What's the R value of a mouse turd anyway?

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Feb 26, 2006 05:19pm | #5

        depends how dry they are. Them little steamers ain't no good at all.

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

         

        1. User avater
          MarkH | Feb 26, 2006 05:20pm | #6

          LOL

    2. clem | Feb 27, 2006 01:14am | #9

      Thanks for the input. Looks like insulating from th eexterior may be a better bet than tearing everything out on the inside and then re-drywalling.  Until then I'll stop trapping the mice and start feeding them.

      Tom

  2. Danno | Feb 26, 2006 04:42pm | #2

    Even if the block has vermiculite or whatever in the cores, that isn't very good insulation--lots of "thermal bridging" through the webs. You could probably remove the drywall and install Styrofoam and re-drywall. Or, like you mentioned, build 2x4 walls inside the exterior walls and insulate those with whatever you want.

  3. User avater
    MarkH | Feb 26, 2006 04:54pm | #3

    Put foam on the outside and stucco or side over that.  Gives a bit of thermal mass to the inside.

    1. User avater
      PearceServices | Feb 26, 2006 05:34pm | #7

      I agree with mark, you want to do this from the exterior if you can afford to, this will address any infiltration issues.

      another option is to cover with rigid foam insulation and cover with vinyl, but stucco or some type of EIFS will work great.

      I was asked to do some repairs on a 100 year old block building, that had some type of coating (with fibers embedded into it) spray over the exterior of the building, the stuff is failing and actually funneling water into the walls.

      In the spring we will cover it with foam and vinyl.

  4. MAsprayfoam | Feb 26, 2006 09:04pm | #8

    I'm insulating a similiar building right now by spraying closed cell (Corbond) foam on the walls and ceiling on the inside of course.

    The owner is very pleased with the results. This blocks virtually all air infiltration and takes very little space since it's R7 per inch.

    The up front cost is there and it is an investment. Is your plumbing or electrical going to pay for themselves in energy savings? Probably not.

    Stu

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