Insulation is any material used to slow the transmission of heat or reduce the transmission of sound. Typical materials include fiberglass, foam, blown cellulose, and reflective foil. This should not be confused with weather stripping.
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384 views
Are there any types of tile with insulating properties?
Is it possible to buy insulating indoor wall tiles?
I have just bought a house and am in the process of slowly renovating it. The bathroom is an extension that was added to the house approx 40 years ...
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1answer
694 views
How do I design a 100 mm thick barrier that maximizes thermal and acoustic insulation?
I need to design a thermal and sound barrier - walls of a cuboid-shaped space. Imagine it is a free-standing bike shed in the fields. The walls can not be thicker then about 100 mm (4 inches). The ...
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1answer
404 views
Will installing an OSB floor in the attic create moisture problems?
I installed some new OSB flooring in my attic. The area it covers is about 160 sq. ft. The total area of the attic is about 750 sq. ft. There is just blown fiberglass up there, and there is no vapor ...
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1answer
180 views
How can I move loose-fill insulation temporarily?
My current bathroom fan is dead and needs replacement. I tried removing it from the inside of the house, but something is holding it. I'll need to do it from the attic.
The attic is covered with ...
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1answer
380 views
How can I install r-max insulation on the interior side of a cinderblock wall?
I am planning on insulating the lower level of my house with R-Max in a method similar to this:
I have a few question about it though:
Can I use something other than Treated wood as this is ...
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1answer
1k views
Should I add a vapor barrier to kraft faced insulation?
I am redoing our master bath. We completely gutted the room, and I have two exterior walls with R13 kraft paper faced insulation. Should I add a 6 mil plastic vapor barrier to the walls? Would it trap ...
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5answers
15k views
I added insulation to my attic rafters, but should I have left room for airflow?
I added insulation to my attic rafters and plugged the space between the outdoors and my attic with insulation. It lowered my heating bill by $150/month, but I've seen some information that I may ...
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2answers
595 views
Corrosion on copper pipes due to insulation (with foam)
My incoming water pipe is copper and it is a brand new installation with no leaks. But due to the hot humid weather (even in the basement) it sweats due to condensation. Should I insulate it?
The ...
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0answers
107 views
Whats the difference between metal and plastic insulation support fixings?
I am putting 30mm of fibre insulation on a party wall and then covering it with 12.5mm soundbloc plasterboard which will then be skimmed. Does it matter whether I use plastic or metal insulation ...
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4answers
705 views
Does building insulation wear out and have to be replaced?
First, a little back-story. I've been having trouble with the air-conditioning system in my south-Texas apartment home for almost two months so far this summer. The apartment manager has been ...
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1answer
484 views
Should central heating pipes through internal brickwork have insulation?
My house has old (large diameter) steel central heating pipes. These travel through the basement before passing up through the house. My concern is that when they pass through internal walls they are ...
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4answers
2k views
How can I insulate my garage door?
Over the past year I've been converting our integrated garage so that it's a usage space.
I've painted the walls, got lighting, power and water connected (To allow for a washing machine to be ...
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1answer
893 views
What is the proper way to insulate box sill joists in the basement?
The floor joists of the first floor are sitting directly in breaks in the concrete/cinderblock walls, and there's large gaps all around the edges. I've done some looking around and it appears that ...
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1answer
891 views
Should I add insulation to basement ceiling?
Currently doing a reno on our basement. After roughing everything out, I have insulated the outside walls with R13 (2x4). The house has never had insulation in the basement. Should I insulate the ...
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1answer
158 views
Can I spray foam up to roof sheathing when air sealing skylight tunnel?
I've been doing some air sealing in the attic with canned spray foam and I'm about to tackle my skylight tunnels. They are framed and covered with drywall. I have easy access to them in the attic and ...
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1answer
630 views
How do I insulate around conduits and into difficult edges in my attic?
I am thinking about adding a little over a foot of insulation to my attics.
I understand that there shouldn't be gaps between fiberglass batts (I read that this can reduce efficiency by 25%, whatever ...
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0answers
164 views
Would a memory foam topper be a sufficient sound and vibration baffle for Dance Dance Revolution? [closed]
For the past several months, my roommates and I have taken to enjoying varying builds of Dance Dance Revolution in the evenings, inclusive of X, MAX 2, and Supernova 2. I personally have gotten ...
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1answer
692 views
How do I know my current R-Value for my attic?
I am a first-time homeowner. One thing that was noted on the house inspection was that we needed more insulation for our attic. In my area, the recommended R-Value is 38 according to the ornl.gov ...
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1answer
144 views
How do I lower the temperature of an electric boiler in France/Europe?
My electric boiler is delivering VERY hot water: my hands are often burned when I forget to mix it with normal-tempered water.
Do you think there is a way I can make the boiler heating the water ...
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1answer
859 views
What thickness of closed cell spray foam should I use on my basement walls?
I'm finishing my basement in southeastern Wisconsin. This is a poured full basement below grade. We are ready to insulate the walls and are going to use closed cell spray foam.
I've had two ...
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1answer
158 views
What is the best removable insulation material?
There is a crack in a wall that I would like to fill with some removable insulation.
It must be removable, as such it should just be a temporary solution.
I know of rockwool and glasswool, but don't ...
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1answer
2k views
How can I insulate a sash window?
I just moved into an old flat which has old and weathered down sash windows which let a lot of cold air in. As Scotland does get very cold at times I would like to insulate them in a cheap and ...
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1answer
522 views
Why am I getting condensation on the first floor joists of my new build?
We're building a new house in New Hampshire. We insulated the 1st floor joists with batting last winter so the minimal amount of heat we had in the basement to prevent the foundation from cracking ...
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3answers
316 views
Should I install external basement insulation that does not extend above ground?
Question : Is there a way to calculate energy savings for external, 2inch insulation on basement walls that does not extend above the soil surface, leaving the top couple feet of foundation wall ...
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1answer
328 views
How do I insulate my Laddomat 21 boiler charger?
I have a mixing device Laddomat 21 installed for my boiler + accumulator tank. I have all pipes around the boiler insulated with pre-formed moulded mineral wool insulation, but there is no insulation ...
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2answers
2k views
How should I insulate my basement?
My basement is CMU blocks and concrete floor.
I had water issues, so I waterproofed it with an interior french drain, drainboard at the edge and a sump pump. This wouldn't take care of dampness so I ...
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1answer
624 views
How do I install a vapor barrier and insulation in an existing floor?
I have a large room in my house that is built over a crawl space. The floor of this room does not have any insulation installed in it. I live in upstate New York so it is my understanding that I ...
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2answers
420 views
When insulating with closed-cell Spray Foam, what ERV and HVAC resizing considerations should I bear in mind?
I am building a 2800 sqft, two-story brick home in Austin, TX. I have heard many good things about the benefits of insulating with closed-cell Spray Polyurethane Foam (ccSPF)1, and have requested ...
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1answer
246 views
Is blown-in insulation appropriate for on the foundation block in a crawlspace?
Our home has blown-in insulation on the foundation block in the crawlspace. I've never seen this before. The other homes in the area I've seen had foam board glued to the wall. There doesn't appear ...
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2answers
3k views
Should I install a moisture barrier behind drywall in house with T1-11 siding?
My home interior walls are thick redwood paneling in the bay area mountains.
i'm about to start removing the wood in my second bedroom and want to install a moisture barrier on the 1 outside wall of ...
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1answer
225 views
What height of insulation should I use between joists in an MDF floor?
Background
I am starting my first serious DIY project - converting our garage into a playroom for the kids. The garage floor is concrete.
My plan is to run timber (Sawn Kiln Dried Timber (L)3000 x ...
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3answers
254 views
How to plan for the future when installing a new roof?
We're hiring a contractor to take off the existing roof, repair/replace any rotted sheathing and rafters, and install a new roof. We've also asked that they add a new plumbing vent stack for a new ...
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1answer
514 views
How can I reduce heat transfer around my window unit air conditioners?
I have three old window units in my house and they function as my A/C. I am concerned about the amount of heat seeping into the house and cool air leaking out around the A/C units themselves. They're ...
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1answer
493 views
Mold remediation in crawlspace
Just bought a 25 year old home that has improperly installed insulation in the crawlspace. The insulation is fiberglass rolls with a paper backing, and is installed with the paper facing down, toward ...
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2answers
205 views
Should I think about insulating a cheap conservatory? if so how do I do it?
I made an offer on a house today that had a cheap upvc conservitory on the back on the house.
The conservatory had a cheap plastic sloping roof on that leaked a little, the walls are very thin, and ...
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2answers
3k views
How to properly insulate a garage?
I'm considering insulating (and drywalling) my garage, which already has insulated garage doors. My main goal is to keep it from getting much below freezing during the winter.
This garage is located ...
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1answer
392 views
AC issues / Insulation of vaulted ceiling
Issue: If it's hot outside, ~90F, house temperature can't get below 79F.
Background: 6 year old house, vaulted ceiling with 1 ceiling fan in family room where thermostat is (also 3 large windows, ...
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2answers
344 views
Basement Insulation
I am currently insulating my basement. I left the studs far enough away from the concrete wall so I can put r20 in without it compressing. My main question is there is enough space between the studs ...
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1answer
351 views
Installation of Polystyrene External Wall Insulation - over old render?
I am considering installing a Polystyrene-block based External Wall Insulation system. Currently the house is blockwork with a rough render.
One contractor has told be that the existing render on ...
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1answer
593 views
Easiest/Cheapest way to improve insulation of a room
I have a home office, which has 2.5 walls that border the outside of the house, and a floor that is over the garage. It's a nasty combination. It gets quite hot during the part of the day where the ...
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1answer
218 views
When should I open a skylight vent?
I have a one-floor (plus basement) house with a large skylight in the living room. It has an openable vent. When is it proper to open the vent?
Should I open it in midsummer with the AC on, on ...
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1answer
621 views
IKEA recessed lights: extreme clearance requirements?
I'm finishing the ceiling on my basement. I'm planning to insulate the ceiling with the Roxul Safe'n'Sound Fire & Soundproofing Insulation. It is 3 inches thick so it only occupies the upper 3 ...
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1answer
275 views
How to cover gap below garage back door
I have a 3/4" gap between my garage back door (see image. blueish color is outside evening light).
Looking for a good way to cover this gap with two goals in mind:
Stop rodents from coming in
Help ...
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4answers
117 views
What to do with this exterior insulation?
We have these sheets of pink insulation with a light coat of concrete-paint-like stuff (?) wrapped all the way around the base of the house, and as can be seen, it is degrading in both appearance and ...
2
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1answer
208 views
insulating exterior walls
I have an old house with no insulation. The walls are 2x4 with plaster and lath. The outside is aluminum siding, in good shape. I would like to blow cellulose insulation inside the wall cavities from ...
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1answer
234 views
PIR/PUR laminated panels…sources? Similar products? (Interior insulated panels)
We have a 1/2 story that was cheaply finished prior to us moving in. Looking into it, it looks like we have 4-5" of fiberglass bat insulation in the ceiling which is, if we're lucky, something like ...
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2answers
2k views
Installing bathroom exhaust fan: what to do with vapour barrier and insulation?
I'm adding a bathroom exhaust fan, which is being mounted in the ceiling of the bathroom (in the attic) and venting out through a vent in the wall.
right now, there is a vapour barrier (paper) ...
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2answers
1k views
how to achieve a reduction of noise of -60 dB in as little thickness as possible of insulation material?
I am looking into materials to acoustically insulate a room, and I need to do it in as little thickness of the material as possible.
I found something called Balterio which is a 3 mm thick stuff sold ...
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1answer
320 views
Reducing Attic Fire Risk
When I had my house built, it got cold and so we called the local power co-op energy savings expert to give us advice. One of the things he said was that we had the wrong kind of insulation in the ...
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2answers
492 views
What is the best way to seal this old fireplace vent?
I am doing some minor renovations to my basement with the drop ceiling and found that one of the geniuses that owned the house before me, used fibreglass ceiling tiles to seal off an old vent for a ...
