Question
What material and where can we purchase it to insulate our walls?
The building is a shed that we are turning into an all weather work shed for sewing/painting/craft projects. We don't want to use fiberglass as I hate working with it. Thank you.
Answer
There are several options available for wall insulation other than fiberglass.
- Lowe's recently added denim blanket. Denim has similar thermal characteristics to fiberglass but is easier to work with and more environmentally friendly.
- You might also consider using cellulose.
Most big box stores that sell cellulose will rent you a blower so it can be injected into the wall cavities (after the drywall is installed). A simple shed might not be too difficult to inject from the interior side. You'll have to drill holes in the drywall and patch when complete.
Cellulose manufactures have also introduced a blanket product. The material comes in 4 x 8 feet sheets either 1.5 or 2.5-inches thick. This material is often used in areas where it is going to be exposed because it gives continuous insulation and has a Class I fire rating.
You can also purchase consumer packs of two part, spray foam. Fomo is one brand available to the consumer on the Internet here.
- Expect to pay $600 for 600 board feet of material.
- This is a pricey material but it will outperform either denim or cellulose in stopping convection (air leaks) and it also is a moisture barrier.
For more information:
Read "I want to add wall insulation to my 1920 home. I have two locally available options -- Icynene and Tri-polymer foam. Can you advise me?" a Q&A answered by Alex Georgiou.
