I picked up 60 or so bin-bags of shredded paper loft insulation, which I am planning to use in the garage.
The plan is to get it below the roof-felt, between the rafters.
One way to do this would be to fix hardboard to the rafters, seal off the bottom end, and pour it in.
Or I could do something similar, but keeping it bagged (less messy).
Any tips?
Daniele
I presume it has been treated in some way. It's not uncommon.
Daniele
It had been installed in someone's loft. I got it via Freecycle.
"How on earth did you manage to get all this into the bags?" I asked.
"With a dustpan and brush."
Daniele
I vaguely recall hearing of it years ago. There were probably good reasons for them getting rid of it. Why don't you buy some proper mineral wool loft insulation rolls from B&Q or somewhere. It's astoundingly cheap, something like =A33 for a big roll ISTR.
I'm pretty sure its not suitable as roof insulation, yuo'd get interstitial condensation.
NT
Pete (GymRatZ) seemed to have considered its use as loft insulation in the thread "Shredded Paper..." 16/2/12 10:49 but as no one challenged him about it I thought he must have been kidding.
NO ... this is a vermin & fire hazard.
I have all my house insulated with recycled newsprint .. (Warmcell) but it is treated to be fully fire proof, and vermin proof.
Why?!
This stuff (and sheep wool) sucks if it gets anywhere near moisture. I live in Wales...
Right! This is partly why I wonder whether keeping it in the bags might be a better idea.
Daniele
Yes I was thinking that. It most certainly burns well. Brian
Papercrete.
I was watching one of those 'how do they make it' programmes on Quest. On a huge scale waste paper is pulped, treated, dried and bagged as insulation material.
Just googled this, seems to be fairly informative.
"D.M. Procida" wrote in message news:1kg15c4.jy2duwnhldhbN% snipped-for-privacy@apple-juice.co.uk...
As I understand it, loose insulation material (of known source with a guarantee against flammability) is suitable for laying between joists on the floor of a loft where it settles out evenly. The ends of the joist runs should be blocked to prevent the insulation material blocking the ventilation from un der the eaves. It is not suitable for using in the sloping area directly under a roof because it will settle downwards leaving the top of the roof uninsulated. It will also block any airflow when it settles, causing long term damp mand rot problems. In any case you have to be absolutely certain that it was fire retardant when manufactured and is still fire retardant now.
It is almost certain that it was not previously used directly under roof tiles. Loose insulation is not suitable for this application - nobody should use any type of loose insulation for this purpose.
It is probably worth almost what you paid for it.
You should be looking for rigid or semi-rigid insulation which can be fitted between the rafters in such a way that it retains its shape and maintains an air gap to allow air to circulate and prevent damage from damp.
You say you are thinking of leaving it in the bags. What kind of bags? Hopefully not supermarket carrier bags which degrade over time then disintegrate.
With others who have already responded, I don't think your 'free' insulation is fit for the purpose you describe.
Cheers
Dave R
Yes, that's exactly what we had in our previous house.
I hadn't thought of that; OK, that's out then.
Black bin bags, but they disintegrate too, so that's not too much help.
It doesn't sound like there's going to be a way to put them to use in the garage.
Daniele
I did wonder though if that's what the OP meant.
We have some in part of our loft, that the installers blew in as it has poor access.
Though it's not really shredded, more like little fluffy bits.
When they did our house about 15 years ago, they pumped it in from their truck, up a large hose.
That's the stuff.
Daniele
Yup, that's whatt they did here.
Horrible to handle though. Light and fluffy and dusty
Not really sure it's going to be the thing for your situation though
Oh, the blown fibre stuff? My wife's brother has that at his place - it's cheap and effective, but I don't know about longevity (particularly if there are any moisture problems). I can say that it's an absolute sod if you ever want to move it out of the way to do any electrical work!
cheers
Jules
Looks like grey fluff loose blown into loft .... mine is 300mm deep It was sprayed 'damp' into the horizontal walls (panels) and then troweled off flush, it sets liked Maderia cake ... with incredible sound absorption qualities.
The walls stuff was sprayed in damp .. it contains a glue which sets as it dries.
The loft was loose blown dry 'fluff' plus all the stuff swept up after trowelling off the walls. (150 panel depth)
I also live in Wales - and tried to use as many local suppliers & products as I could ... the product is made in Wales ... Warmcell Industries.
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