We are looking for insulation with little or no formaldehyde.
1. There are two kinds of fiberglass insulation, and one type is treated to reduce formaldehyde. How do I tell the low formaldehyde from the regular?
2. What types of batt-insulation, with vapor barrier, are available besides fiberglass, which are more environmentally sound?
The code in our city calls for R-15 on vertical walls, R-30 along the rafters, and R-38 in the 2nd floor ceiling.
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Replies
Andy,
Johns-Mansville just came out with formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation. It's white and it is prominently labeled.
I don't know how big your project is, but you might consider an insulation sub. I just had a house insulated with the white stuff today for less (L&M) than it would have cost me to buy the insulation at the local big box.
These guys showed up at 9 am and were off the site by 2:30 the same afternoon, and did a good job including R-38 in the ceiling, R-19 in the exterior walls and sound batts throughout the interior walls as well.
There are plenty of folks here who will tell you all about cellulose.
Cotton insulation is available in some parts of the country, often touted as a "green" product, but I have my doubts. If you've ever seen what kind of agricultural practices are involved in cotton farming, it makes fiberglass look like a good idea.
I just stumbled onto that cotton insulation at http://www.built-e.com. They claim it is made from cotton scraps, mostly denim, from the clothing industry.
Thanks for the link, Jim.
If that's the case, it might be worth a look.
The only other reservation I'd have about cotton is you'd want to make sure it stays put inside the wall or in the ceiling.
One of my would-be green building friends used that stuff in an older house with a few too many holes in it and the cotton dust just never stopped showing up all over everywhere. I think a little bit of 4-mil poly or something like it would have gone a long way.
I used it in new construction about 5 years ago, and so far so good. Everything we insulated was plastered over, and we haven't had any problems yet.
I'd certainly consider using it again, especially if it's recycled.
DRC