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Celing Insulation

GSmooth

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Jan 8, 2009
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North of Milwaukee,wi
I am trying to decide between R values for my 1440sqft outbuilding ceiling. I have chosen blow-in fiberglass insulation.

Johns Manville @ Menards
R-38 Est $830
R-44 +$140
R-50 +$270

Is R-44/R-50 worth the extra dollars? Oh and I live near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Any thoughts?
 
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jvitez

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The extra $140 sounds like a reasonable addition. However, blown in fibreglass loses R value the colder it gets. Do a 'net search to get the details.

I spec'd blown in cellulose for my house, despite the contractor usually using fibreglass. Cost was actually the same for both.
 

6768rogues

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If you can afford it and there is room without sacrificing ventilation space, I would go with the most, the R-50. Energy costs are bound to go up and the more they go up, the more money you save. It is also a function of how long you plan to stay there.
 

trythis

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I would consider cellulose if you haven't. It doesnt mold if you ever have a leak. Bugs cant live in it because of the borates. It also doesn't itch if you have to deal with it for electrical work, etc.

Its just as easy to install and has slightly higher R value. It can be packed in too.

Sorry if you have spent 6 months researching it and decided against it.

I just HATE fiberglass.
 

OccupantRJ

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I personally think that the fiberglass insulation texture of today is way different than it was some years ago. I am insulating the sidewalls of my shop, no gloves, handle it anyway I want to, and no itch! I went under my house today to run a cable, and you can definitely feel the texture difference in the two. I'm also pondering on what to use in my shop ceiling, with attic.

RJ
 
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jimmie jam

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fort lauderdale, fl
i just had my 600sf garage addition insulated the other day. i went with the cellulose. i paid for R-19 but the installer did not realize that my bottom truss members were 2x6's and not 2x4's so using the wood as a gage he put in eouugh to give me R-38 :shocking:. what a deal for $250. i would stay away from the glass today. they will be back in a couple of weeks to redo the house which has blown fiberglass that has settled after 34 years to nothing. the cellulose won't do that.
 

PurdueSD

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Cellulose in an environment where there are drastic humidity swings is not a good idea... imo
 
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trythis

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Cellulose in an environment with drastic humidity swings shouldnt cause any problems. I paid for access to a study done in Canada that determined that Cellulose was safe to use in unvented flat roof ceilings. (I would post it here, but it is copyrighted) Here is a link if you want to buy it: http://jen.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/28/3/269
They tested it with a vapor barrier, without, and with no insulation.
Water accumulation over a year in the attic was best with a vapor barrier below the insulation, but without, it made no difference in mold growth. (remember this is the North where it is cold more than it is hot) Borates in the cellulose prevent damage. The water dries out completely over the summer and it was very little moisture to begin with.
In the more southern regions in the states, the vapor barrier wouldn't be good because it would trap water the wrong way during half the year so its kinda pointless. In the deep south, you can put in on the outside of the insulation.

I used cellulose in a flat roof with no venting and no vapor barrier, but it is half hot and half cold during the year.

My insulation contractor told me about a company that installed it wet on the walls, which is normal, and the drywallers did not wait for it to dry. The insulation didnt work at all wet cause the water transferred the heat right through it, but after three years the wet insulation did not mold. They had to tear out the drywall, let the insulation dry and it was OK.

The good cellulose will have glue in it. The glue is water based, so the moisture at worst would activate it and keep it shaped right. (in a perfect world)

Mold can grow on fiberglass, mice will make nests in it. If it gets wet, it will collapse. Bugs can crawl through it all day.
Cellulose is resistant to all this, and you can pay extra to get it with extra bug pest resistance.
Did I mention , I hate fiberglass. YUCK, and yes the new stuff I had to use to patch little spots the cellulose wouldn't fit was itchy. I certainly dont want to breath microscopic glass fibers either.
 
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GSmooth

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Thanks for the information. I was always told cellulose would settle and it was better to go with fiberglass. Now I must go and price cellulose and take another look at it. I am definitely going to be living here awhile, so i want the best choice. Damn and I just saw blow-in fiberglass is on sale this week at Menards...
 

PurdueSD

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Obviously trythis and i share different outlooks, thats the beauty of an open forum- you get all different opinions.

I would suggest calling around to some of your local insulation installers and suppliers to see what they recommend. In my area it was overwhelmingly advised to avoid cellulose for a detached garage like the clap. I live in a very humid area where we see numerous 100% humidity days in the summer. So make sure you check around with what is common practice in your area. Goodluck!


Also another fyi, don't just price shop at the big box stores. Most of the local lumber yards and smaller suppliers are now selling to the general public. (because they need the sales) I found 2' x4' R30 batts 15% cheaper than lowes or home cheapo had...
 
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trythis

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st louis
I would be sure to price having an insulation contractor do the work. My cellulose installer only worked with cellulose, I think the fiberglass people only work with fiberglass. The equipment is specialized.
The stuff at home depot probably doesn't have the glue in it, but that is not something I researched. I had 2000 sq feet of 2x 10 deep ceiling done. They could pump that stuff in so tight, you couldnt compress it down without pushing pretty damn hard.
The home depot machines cant do that. If it was a vented attic space, I would have had no problem with the HD

PurdueSD is right about having the local peoples input. But if the contractors there are like they are in St Louis, you'd want to hear from several of each kind for opinions because they are probably specialized.
 
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GSmooth

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North of Milwaukee,wi
It is well ventilated attic area. I put rafter vents w/ baffles in each rafter. Roof ridge also has ridge vent. I think i definetly will call a bunch of insulation contractors to see what they say.



Thanks
 

rwhite692

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Central Valley, CA
I personally think that the fiberglass insulation texture of today is way different than it was some years ago. I am insulating the sidewalls of my shop, no gloves, handle it anyway I want to, and no itch! I went under my house today to run a cable, and you can definitely feel the texture difference in the two. I'm also pondering on what to use in my shop ceiling, with attic.

RJ

Agree! I recently finished insulating the vaulted ceiling of my 24x36 detached garage with Certainteed 24"wide kraft-faced batts and there was no "itch" like in the past.
 
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