Cotton insulation

[jklingel]

I searched, but found zip; maybe wrong words? Does anyone have any links to unbiased reviews of Dow's SoftTouch (I think it's called) insulation? It is made from shredded blue jeans, apparently, and is mostly cotton, if not entirely. I would love to use it instead of fiberglass, but I am not sure it has passed the test of time yet. EX: Does it absorb water over time, and either drop its R-value or rot? Do bugs just love it to pieces and make nests and huge holes in it, or is it effectively treated? I know bugs get into fiberglass, and have had a few squirrels make nests in my garage ceiling insulation. But, that type of invasion into fiberglass is usually not "terrible", in general. (I also once found about a gallon of dried mushrooms in my ceiling insulation. That squirrel must have been one busy man that fall.) Thanks for any info on this stuff. It almost sounds too good to be true.

 

[trythis]

It basically has the same properties as cellulose (shredded newspaper) . It is loaded with boric acid. Bugs cant stand it. It will not mold, it can settle unless it is installed correctly. If it gets wet, it will take a long time to dry.
click on technical documents here:
http://www.bondedlogic.com/ultratouch-cotton.htm
Maybe read this for another sales pitch for a different product.
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/8327/why-i-dont-use-cellulose-or-blue-jean-insulation.

 

[jklingel]

Try: Thanks. The article discussed exactly what I was worried about. I think I'll skip the stuff. BTW: Is the finehomebuilding.com a reputable (unbiased; fact-based, etc) site, or just another place for people to share? Not that people sharing, like here, is bad, but an honest-to-God, straight-fact place has its place, too. thanks. j

 

[trythis]

I dunno. I just recently looked into insulation, It was one place of many I looked or opinions on insulation types.
Its a money / application exchange finding the right stuff to use. I HATE fiberglass. I don't care if it is gold spun, I wont use it. That's just my deal. I went with cellulose. I couldn't afford foam, it either absorbs water and holds it forever as in open cell. Closed cell is VERY expensive so I couldn't use it. Styrofoam would have been about the best for my situation, but installation time would have killed my time line on my construction loan. Blue jean is too expensive, so cellulose it was.

 

[jklingel]

Yep. I start itching even thinking about putting 'glass in again, but my plan is to insulate when it is cold so that I can wear a fair amount of clothing. It'll be old clothing, too, and it may go to the burn pile when I am done. I'll have to insulate from outside, too, so that will help (except the lid). I put 'glass in my first house, and then blew cellulose over the stuff in the lid; seems to be working well. There is no magic insulation yet, other than building in Hawaii. Thanks again for the info, and good building. j