I am renovating a c1910 wood framed house and will be insulating the walls. We will strip the interior and install the insulation from the inside. Given the age and condition of the exterior lap siding and trim, I’m concerned that some water will continue to make it into the walls. What form of insulation is the most mold resistant?
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What form of insulation is the most mold resistant?
Probably a closed-cell spray foam. Which will be a more expensive answer than other insulation materials.
Where are you located? Bringing up insulation means raising the evil spectre of which side must the vapor barrier go on--might as well get that out of the way <g>.
I'm on the Central Coast of California. Below freezing temperatures are rare and shortlived. I've used both the sprayed in paper and cotton based products in new construction. They seal the wall well, but my bigest concern here is something that won't support mold. Considering the house has managed for 100 years with absolutly no insulation, getting the last bit of R out of a product is not a major concern. I am going to put batts in the attic and under the floor.
Yeah, but it's not just freezing to think about, it's any water vapor getting in, and then condensing. Vapor barriers are very necessary things--the debate jsut gets to inside or out.
Spray foam will give to a leg up on that, while also being very mold resistant.
But, I'm biased, being in a very warm climate that is also humid.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Actually, fiberglass is probably the most "mold resistant". Mold won't attack glass.
The problem isn't generally mold in the insulation itself (cellulose is treated to prevent mold in most cases), but rather mold growing in the wood and dust in the stud cavity, abetted by the insulation to the extent that it holds water and prevents airflow that would otherwise dry out the cavity.
I know mold won't attack or grow on glass, but fiberglass has other things (some sort of bonding agent?) in it--I've seen fiberglass insulation that's been black with mold and not just on the kraft paper. Maybe the mold is growing on dust or sawdust from the cosntruction that got into the fiberglass, but it was definitely there.