Dense-Pack Cellulose Disintegrating

13 years ago

So, we spoke to our builder today about cellulose insulation. We are up in the air about block or stick construction but the original plan was we were going to do stick with open-cell soy based spray foam BUT we have a few chemically sensitive people in our family and we decided it wasn't worth the risk. So, we decided on cellulose but our builder couldn't find anyone in Florida really doing it anymore. One outfit said they used to do a lot of it but because of our climate (we basically live in a swamp), moisture was causing the cellulose to disintegrate. This confused the heck out of me because my thought was, "why is moisture getting into the cellulose in the first place?" Has anyone heard of this? If not cellulose, what would someone use to be somewhat natural while still getting really great insulation?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

worthy
13 years ago
Cellulose insulation is one of many types of insulation recommended by Building Science Corp. for a hot- humid climate.

Any problems builders are having are likely caused by: 1) a poorly-designed wall structure that inhibits drying to the interior or leaks air and water; 2) a failure to immediately close in the insulated wall, so the cellulose keeps pulling in damp ambient air and the moisture that's in new building materials.

I'd love to know what the cellulose "disintegrates" into.

But if you're set on a builder who refuses to install cellulose for whatever reason, there are alternatives. (See link above.)

This post was edited by worthy on Tue, Dec 4, 12 at 17:54
User
13 years ago
The insulation industry is extremely competitive. The trade organizations that represent the different kinds of insulation materials are not controlled by the manufacturers (they only pay them) and each makes extraordinary unproven claims about the other materials. It is sometimes impossible to track down who wrote the damaging claims.

But you can be sure that if someone says one insulation is dangerous or will not last, they are selling a different material and have attended a seminar on how to sell it.
Related Professionals
Texarkana Architects & Building Designers · Des Moines Architects & Building Designers · Willmar Architects & Building Designers · Williamsport Architects & Building Designers · Vincennes Design-Build Firms · McAllen Design-Build Firms · Saint Cloud Design-Build Firms · Norfolk Design-Build Firms · Colorado Springs Design-Build Firms · Cornwall Design-Build Firms · Greenville Home Builders · Mankato Home Builders · Burlington Home Builders · Olympia Home Builders · Hilo Home Builders
energy_rater_la
13 years ago
cellulose disintergrating?
never heard of that one.

with air & moisture tight to exterior
and air tight to interior walls, you
can use any insulation and get spec'd
performance.

as the building industry seems to be able
to make walls farily tight, type of insulation
usually isn't an issue.
while foam sprayed walls aren't worth the
price..in hot humid climates with ducts
& equipment in attics, spray foaming the
roofline to keep attic semi conditioned
is a good investment.

don't know if you are going stick build
or concrete block (as per your other post)
but I'd chose stick build over block.

put foam sheathing to exterior of wall
over solid sheeting for hurricane strengty
tape seams seal holes in foam prior to cladding.
conventional insulation in walls
and air tight drywall to interior.

the problem with walls drying to the inside
in our climate is oversizing of hvac systems
that don't allow a/c to run long enough.
short cycling of a/c doesn't allow proper
dehumidification.

with concrete block..foam sheathing to exterior
and frame walls with conventional insulation &
drywall to interior. lot of extra cost imo.
the few concrete block houses I've seen here in
La. have condensation on the inside of the
exterior walls. concrete block has little insulation
value & transfers heat/cold well.

check out buildingscience.com's builders guide
to hot humid climates.

best of luck.