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Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva discusses the options for insulation with host Kevin O’Connor.
Steps:
- Fiberglass insulation is sold by wall thickness and that should be adhered to so the insulation doesn’t get compressed and lose effectiveness.
- Open cell spray foam has the same R-factor as fiberglass, but it goes around any penetrations and acts as an air infiltration barrier.
- Closed cell spray foam has a higher R-factor per inch, but it is more expensive.
- When retrofitting, cellulose, made from recycled newspaper, can be dense packed into the stud bays. It’s treated with borate for insect and fire resistance.
Resources:
Tom showed Kevin 3 types of insulation: Spray foam, fiberglass and blown-in cellulose. Insulation specialists can be contracted to install spray foam and blown cellulose. Fiberglass insulation can be found at the home center.