Insulation question

ahypio

I recently purchased a home built in the 1950's. The exterior walls appear to be a brick vaneer on fiberboard sheathing with 2x4 walls. I can not tell if there is anything between the fiberboard and the brick. There is currently no insulation in the walls and I want to blow in some cellulose. Do I need to worry about moisture issues i.e. the cellulose absorbing moisture that would normally breath out the fiberboard and brick? Also is there a trick to blowing in the cellulose or do I just cut a hole in the top of the sheetrock wall, stick the blower hose in and blow away. Thanks.

handy man88

Instead of cellulose, you could also consider having expanding foam professionally sprayed in between the studs also. Foam has a higher R value, and would be a bit less intrusive since no large holes need to be punched into your wall. This would eliminate the moisture issue. Just make sure you have all your structured wiring done beforehand though.

jmosh

you might be better off finding the air gap in the attic (likely 1 to 1 and a half feet away from the outside edge) use expanding foam to close the air gap in each beam cavity right across the roof wall joint and then do the same in the basement or crawl space for the bootom of the wall. you will stop air travel and from the attic through the wall to the crawlspace , and viseversa. its easier, cheaper, faster, neater and blowing insulation could still be done later . not to mention this would need to be done anyway , weather you are blowing insulation or not.

AtlanticWBConst.

Here's some information on cellulose and moisture concerns:

http://www.builditgreen.org/resource...detail&rowid=7

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joasis

The higher "R" value of foam is correct, but insignificant when considering the cost increase, plus, incorrectly installed can cause structural damage, trapped moisture, inclomplete fill, and other issues. The home shows are making foam a high demand product, but it is going to be 3 times as expensive as blown cellulose.

Fiberlite cellulose is fire safe, insect and mice resistant (borate treated) and a green product. When we install it in existing homes, we drill a hole through the top plate or top of the outside or inside wall and blow it full with pressure, probably filling it 95% or better at a cost in out area of .60 cents a sq/ft.

By filling the wall cavities with cellulose, you also won't have a real problem if you ever have to open up a wall, or do a repair later, since it can be swept up.....try that with a foam filled wall.

The srayed foam systems have their place, but for most residential applications, cellulose is a much better choice, Read the link Atlantic posted.....but one last thing...some guys blow fiberglass in a wall...avoid this...it will not work as well, and testing confirms it.

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AtlanticWBConst.

Joasis,

Thanks for the info...(I know you install Insulation and I was waiting on your input)....

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jmosh

I dont know if it would work out 60 cents a square foot if you are talking about dense packing a wall the costs could go a bit higher , it would definately be the best fix but i think the cost compared to the just air sealing the tops and bottom of the cavities , not to mention the mess and time and work involved in the process of opening each cavity and fill and than closing , might not be worth it , but definatly most effective.

joasis

The motto on the back of our insulation trailer says it all: You only pay for insulation once, you pay utility bills every month!

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handy man88

One of the beauties of blown cellulose is that you can do it yourself without hiring a contractor. Home stores like Lowe's generally give you a free rental of their equipment if you buy enough bags of the cellulose.