Re: Atticat blown in insulation for attics

[Guest guest]

barb,

have you looked into natural sources of insulation like hemp and others? sue

>Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to

>me. I have to insulate attic this spring.

>

[Guest guest]

Discussed this a little before and from what I have read and I've talked to

two friends in house building that say the rolled type is the best. Once

the blown lose type is put down you can't find things if necessary & it can

be dusty. The batting type can just be rolled down and lifted up. If you

have that type already, like we do, but perhaps want more, like we do, then

they say you can just lay it over the other but not with the foil backing.

Once you get it up to the height you want then you can lay more going the

opposite direction.

I'm am not an expert but that's what I've learned and talked to with

friends in the business. They also know my situation and understand how

concerned and nervous I get about things. I'm lucky to have a friend that's my

plumber because anyone else I would probably drive crazy. He is so understanding

but will most likely retire in a few yrs.

Sue

barb,

have you looked into natural sources of insulation like hemp and others?

sue

>Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to

>me. I have to insulate attic this spring.

[Guest guest]

I replied about the insulation on another post but wanted to mention that

we did get the Owens Corning (from Lowes) attic door insulation tent. It

fits right over the opening as you go down the stairs before you put the

ladder back up. Works very well and we are happy with it.

Sue

Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to me. I

have to insulate attic this spring.

Apparently it is those Pink Panther Owens Corning foam blocks you see at

Home Depot which is put through a shredder and then blown into attics.

Surprising to me it is also fiberglass. I didn't know those pink foam sheets

and

blocks were fiberglass but I guess it makes sense that Owens Corning would

be making glass insulation.

[Guest guest]

I would think certainly more contained than blown in.

and if the fiberglass is in bats, the fibers don't blow around?

[Guest guest]

...and if the fiberglass is in bats, the fibers don't blow around?

>

>

> Discussed this a little before and from what I have read and I've talked to

> two friends in house building that say the rolled type is the best. Once

> the blown lose type is put down you can't find things if necessary & it can

> be dusty. The batting type can just be rolled down and lifted up. If you

> have that type already, like we do, but perhaps want more, like we do, then

> they say you can just lay it over the other but not with the foil backing.

> Once you get it up to the height you want then you can lay more going the

> opposite direction.

> I'm am not an expert but that's what I've learned and talked to with

> friends in the business. They also know my situation and understand how

> concerned and nervous I get about things. I'm lucky to have a friend that's my

> plumber because anyone else I would probably drive crazy. He is so

understanding

> but will most likely retire in a few yrs.

> Sue

>

> barb,

>

> have you looked into natural sources of insulation like hemp and others?

> sue

>

> >Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to

> >me. I have to insulate attic this spring.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are contained

in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

(fm my Blackberry)

Re: [] Re: Atticat blown in insulation for attics

I would think certainly more contained than blown in.

and if the fiberglass is in bats, the fibers don't blow around?

[Guest guest]

why aren't you thinking beyond fiberglass?

>White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are

>contained in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

>

[Guest guest]

Barb,

There is spray foam that I have seen at home shows which is supposed to be mold

resistant. Right now, I can't think of the name of the product but seems like it

had the word " ice " in the name. The draw back IMO in using the foam, if one

ever wanted to remove it, it would be close to impossible. We have the blown

insulation. I am not too please with it but as long as we stay out of the attic

and keep the door sealed; we are not too worried about it getting inside of the

house.

J

>

> Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to me. I

have to insulate attic this spring.

>

> Apparently it is those Pink Panther Owens Corning foam blocks you see at Home

Depot which is put through a shredder and then blown into attics. Surprising to

me it is also fiberglass. I didn't know those pink foam sheets and blocks were

fiberglass but I guess it makes sense that Owens Corning would be making glass

insulation.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie, That's Icyene. I have been considering that. The drawback for me

is my roof shingles are very very old, nearing the end of their life I'm sure

and if I had it reshingled, if any boards needed to be replaced, the foam would

go with the boards and I would need to have it resprayed which could be

expensive. That is if I sprayed it under the rafters, overhead. I can't spray

it on the floor of attic because I have tube and knob wiring and it can't be

sprayed on those. I could change the wiring but that would be expensive and

then thing I see would still be a problem, is if any service needed to be done

on wiring, finding it and then repairing it and then getting someone in to

repair foam. It sounds great but these are problems. Supposedly there is

another foam out, Sealection, which they claim, foam can be patched more easily

than Icyene. I thought of spraying icyene around the periphery of attic where

it seems more critical and then lay fiberglass through the rest of attic but

that is most costly of all, because I have to pay for spray foam truck to come

out and then fiberglass to come separately, so I need to go with one or the

other. I'm leaning toward fiberglass bats or the fiberglass someone posted

about that is treated with mineral oil. I guess that is to keep it from

becoming airborne quite as easily.

> >

> > Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to me. I

have to insulate attic this spring.

> >

> > Apparently it is those Pink Panther Owens Corning foam blocks you see at

Home Depot which is put through a shredder and then blown into attics.

Surprising to me it is also fiberglass. I didn't know those pink foam sheets

and blocks were fiberglass but I guess it makes sense that Owens Corning would

be making glass insulation.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I would like to use bag of fiberglass but I don't know how that would work

between boards where in some areas wires run through, electric and in some other

cable. Right now I no insulation but I could discuss with an insulation

contractor. Thanks for the product name!

>

> White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are contained

in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

>

> Carl Grimes

> Healthy Habitats LLC

> (fm my Blackberry)

>

> Re: [] Re: Atticat blown in insulation for attics

>

>

> I would think certainly more contained than blown in.

>

> and if the fiberglass is in bats, the fibers don't blow around?

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

" Icenene " is what I think you mean. Never been able to get conclusive proof from

them or other company who made similar claims along with non-toxic. Went on up

the line calling for msds sheets, etc. Would be grateful if someone on the list

has been more successful. 

From: jackiebreeze <jackiebreeze@...>

Subject: [] Re: Atticat blown in insulation for attics

Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 8:26 PM

Barb,

There is spray foam that I have seen at home shows which is supposed to be mold

resistant. Right now, I can't think of the name of the product but seems like it

had the word " ice " in the name. The draw back IMO in using the foam, if one

ever wanted to remove it, it would be close to impossible. We have the blown

insulation. I am not too please with it but as long as we stay out of the attic

and keep the door sealed; we are not too worried about it getting inside of the

house.

J

>

> Has anyone looked into Atticat insulation. A dealer mentioned it to me. I

have to insulate attic this spring.

>

> Apparently it is those Pink Panther Owens Corning foam blocks you see at Home

Depot which is put through a shredder and then blown into attics. Surprising to

me it is also fiberglass. I didn't know those pink foam sheets and blocks were

fiberglass but I guess it makes sense that Owens Corning would be making glass

insulation.

[Guest guest]

Sue, what kind of insulation do you suggest? I'm looking for more ideas.

Thanks

>

> why aren't you thinking beyond fiberglass?

>

>

> >White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are

> >contained in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sue, what do you suggest? I'm looking for more ideas. Thanks

>

> why aren't you thinking beyond fiberglass?

>

>

> >White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are

> >contained in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

The US Dept of Energy has a Web site at:

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/ind

ex.cfm/mytopic=11510 with a table listing 9 forms of insulation,

made from about 20 different materials. Including other

information plus determining the R-value for a particular use.

It's good to consider other options. Just be aware that some have

different chemicals and the " safer " ones are often organic (not as

in organic food, but are readily digested by bacteria and mold if

damp). Therefore, most have an anti-microbial and flame

retardant added. You need to check these out so you aren't

reactive to them. Or you may want to avoid exposure to those

chemicals. Get the MSDS and label information.

Anti-microbials on insulaton are not intended to last for the life of

the building. Just long enough to be installed and " protected "

from the elements. If they get damp they will grow mold faster

and bigger than the dust which accumulates in fiberglass. So pay

extra attention to the structure of the building and how the

subcontractors build it. They all too frequently install flashing

backwards, if they even use it.

The same precautions are true for fiberglass insulation and all the

other forms and types. It's just we tend to skip the details and the

individual compatibility steps when we hear of something better.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

Sue, what do you suggest? I'm looking for more ideas. Thanks

>

> why aren't you thinking beyond fiberglass?

>

>

> >White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are

> >contained in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

> >

>

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[Guest guest]

what about sheets of styrafome<spelling? cut to fit between rafters? does

styrafome resist mold growth?

> >

> > why aren't you thinking beyond fiberglass?

> >

> >

> > >White fiberglass in a bag has no chemical binders and the fibers are

> > >contained in the bag. s Manville and CertainTeed both have it.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I don't have a clue. We think about things and really do need to add

insulation but just don't know which way to go. We were going to have the loose

type but then I thought more about it and decided no. Then we thought about

adding batting type but then someone told me you can't get it all the way

to the end were the roof meets the joists and that could cause a problem so

we don't know what to do. We get different answers from different builders

and contractors. It's always such a giant headache but we want to get the

house up. I'm find here and have no plans to move. Only problem is the

washer and dryer are in the basement which in years to come could present a

problem as we get older.

what about sheets of styrafome<spelling? cut to fit between rafters? does

styrafome resist mold growth?

[Guest guest]

I hear you. I keep hoping for a wealthy old man or lady who has no family

that would love to share some money before they pass away and leave it to

their dog. Just a little bit would be helpful and make me feel so much more

comfortable and safer in my home. I get up every AM and go check the water

heater just to make sure it isn't leaking. Every time it rains I have my

poor husband climbing to the attic to make sure all is well. My neighbor's

tree scares me to death every time it's windy or we have snow and ice. It's

so big it should be in a forest not between two homes. I just hope the wind

is blowing the right way when it decides to fall down. I worry, worry,

worry, about everything. I don't think it would be so bad if I knew the right

answers about how to replace or add to the house. It's well built but it

needs some upgrades so we can stay here and be safe for years to come.

Probably one of the kids will move home soon and then I have to worry about

another person using the shower and making sure it is dried completely the way

I

like it to be. I only use the bath tub so I know it's dry when I leave it.

>>>barb wrote:

The styrofoam sheets would not let any moisture through and whatever you

use needs to allow moisture to go through it so it doesn't get caught up in

walls or underneath..The styrofoam sheets would not let any moisture

through and whatever you use needs to allow moisture to go through it so it

doesn't get caught up in walls or underneath..<WBR>..moisture is such a

problem!!! I wish I knew years ago what I know now! Now the problem is with

contractors, who blow off all this stuff and think you are worrying 'too much'

about it.

[Guest guest]

The styrofoam sheets would not let any moisture through and whatever you use

needs to allow moisture to go through it so it doesn't get caught up in walls or

underneath....moisture is such a problem!!! I wish I knew years ago what I know

now! Now the problem is with contractors, who blow off all this stuff and think

you are worrying 'too much' about it. Anyway, therein lies the problem, needs

to slow down air movement out of house but not stop it entirely. In my attic,

noone would be able to get close enough to corners of attic to put batts

actually, now that you mention that, so it edges would have to be either blown

in or foamed in.

The safest option I think is foam but I think it only makes sense, with my old

roof, to reshingle first, so also is the most expensive option, and what's new

there? Everything to clean up or protect from mold seems to be alot of money.

I could reshingle roof. Then they would replace any boards that need replacing,

put a new liner on top of that, then the new shingles, and then after making

sure everything is okay but waiting through some rainy days, foam the attic in

and that should hold it for long time. Oh yea, if only I were a multi

millionaire. I could achieve the 'healthy house'!

The people who have it made are my friends that have a 'second home' but that's

tough when you are single. Maybe I put myself up for adoption by one of them.

>

>

> I don't have a clue. We think about things and really do need to add

> insulation but just don't know which way to go. We were going to have the

loose

> type but then I thought more about it and decided no. Then we thought about

> adding batting type but then someone told me you can't get it all the way

> to the end were the roof meets the joists and that could cause a problem so

> we don't know what to do. We get different answers from different builders

> and contractors. It's always such a giant headache but we want to get the

> house up. I'm find here and have no plans to move. Only problem is the

> washer and dryer are in the basement which in years to come could present a

> problem as we get older.

>

> what about sheets of styrafome<spelling? cut to fit between rafters? does

> styrafome resist mold growth?

>

[Guest guest]

I dont think I'd worry about the edges, maybe some air there is a good thing.

it's hard these days, with heat bills, but seems those old uninsulated houses

are just better for you.

maybe it's better to insulate the floor of the attic and let the roof rafters

go. ? it seems that the more barrior between insulated roof rafters and the

outside cold or heat would cause sweating/condensation and no insulation there

would delete that problem. would there be enough veritable than between the roof

rafters and the insulated attic floor to stop either/or?

my old house from long ago just had the attic floor insulated not the rafters,

never had any problems with it.

>

> The styrofoam sheets would not let any moisture through and whatever you use

needs to allow moisture to go through it so it doesn't get caught up in walls or

underneath....moisture is such a problem!!! I wish I knew years ago what I know

now! Now the problem is with contractors, who blow off all this stuff and think

you are worrying 'too much' about it. Anyway, therein lies the problem, needs

to slow down air movement out of house but not stop it entirely. In my attic,

noone would be able to get close enough to corners of attic to put batts

actually, now that you mention that, so it edges would have to be either blown

in or foamed in.

> The safest option I think is foam but I think it only makes sense, with my old

roof, to reshingle first, so also is the most expensive option, and what's new

there? Everything to clean up or protect from mold seems to be alot of money.

I could reshingle roof. Then they would replace any boards that need replacing,

put a new liner on top of that, then the new shingles, and then after making

sure everything is okay but waiting through some rainy days, foam the attic in

and that should hold it for long time.

[Guest guest]

The attic is the worse, because you have to get up there to check it, and I have

an irregularly shaped roof line so one really has to go up and look around, on

top of these beams! Then I figured that means I have to give up having a home

BUT wherever I'd live, even in an apt, I'd have an ATTIC, it's just that it

would belong to someone else, so really no improvement, or maybe worse than

having my own because then I'd have to depend on someone else to keep an eye on

it. That's when people say I 'worry too much'. No, I think they worry too

little! I had two roofers say my attic is in very good condition. They have

said 'you ought to see the attics' we go up into, they are all moldy or have

algae in them. Roofer I had a week ago said he has never seen an attic as clean

as mine...but I have cleaned it up over the last couple of years, but never had

mold up there, just took the old dirty insulation out, dead bird and nest,

closed off holes animals could get into, etc. Vaccumed it out.

>

>

> I hear you. I keep hoping for a wealthy old man or lady who has no family

> that would love to share some money before they pass away and leave it to

> their dog. Just a little bit would be helpful and make me feel so much more

> comfortable and safer in my home. I get up every AM and go check the water

> heater just to make sure it isn't leaking. Every time it rains I have my

> poor husband climbing to the attic to make sure all is well.

[Guest guest]

I don't know but I'd love to get an answer from an expert as the best thing

to do. I don't want to spend the $$ then find out it was the wrong thing

to do. I want to do it right the first time.

what about sheets of styrafome<spelling? cut to fit between rafters? does

styrafome resist mold growth?

[Guest guest]

I never intended to insulate the roof just add more to what is already on

the attic floor. One contractor wanted to blow in the loose type but we

really don't want to go that way. Our house is well built and is about 42 years

old. Never had a water problem and I feel fine at home but we just want to

keep things up since we certainly plan to be here for a while. I also

agree that a house needs to breathe and not be completely tight. We have the

original wooden windows and during some windy winter weather you can feel

the air around the edges but that's really okay with me. I think a little

fresh air is good. I got sick in 2003 so since then we really have thought

about redoing anything. We just make sure we are water free and everything is

working well, etc. New windows sound great but I'm not sure we should do

that either. What's the old saying don't fix what isn't broken?!! I think

we will probably just add more batting to the existing insulation on the

attic floor and we will probably need a new roof in about 5 yrs.

I dont think I'd worry about the edges, maybe some air there is a good

thing. it's hard these days, with heat bills, but seems those old uninsulated

houses are just better for you.

maybe it's better to insulate the floor of the attic and let the roof

rafters go. ? it seems that the more barrior between insulated roof rafters and

the outside cold or heat would cause sweating/condensatimaybe it's better

to insulate the floor of the attic and let the roof rafters go. ? it seems

that the more barrior between insulated roof rafters and the outside co

my old house from long ago just had the attic floor insulated not the

rafters, never had any problems with it.