Insulation Mystery

Scully

in my 1950s garage is a section of wall with what looks like insulation behind cardboard. i can't figure out why the previous owner did that. is this insulation just toxic or something? what precaution should i take while removing it?



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Daniel Holzman

Exactly what is it you can't figure out? The owner may have decided to insulate the garage the lowest cost way he could figure out, and maybe decided the cardboard would help hold the insulation in place. Or maybe he liked the look of cardboard. Regardless, that looks like it may be conventional fiberglass, but if you are concerned about toxicity, you can always get it tested.

joecaption

Under sized insulation and cardboard, oh goody.
Looks like fiberglass to me to. It all needs to go to the trash. It should have been R13 and be covered with 5/8 drywall.
Insulating just the walls will do little good. Really need to also insulated the ceiling joint not the rafters like they did.

GBrackins

back in the 50's in some parts of the country it was standard practice to install cardboard. I'm guessing it was an attempt at air sealing and to help hold the insulation in place, especially blown in cellulose. polyethylene sheeting was not common, nor were all of our more modern materials.

I actually have it in my home in the attic that separates dormer walls from the unconditioned attic space. the cardboard is lapped and secured on all four sides to the wall framing.

__________________
Gary

"You get what you pay for, and sometimes free costs more!"