How to Choose and Use Insulation | This Old House

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  • čas přidán 8. 11. 2014
  • This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the wide world of insulation. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
    SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse
    Up in the loft, Tom and Kevin discussed different types of exterior wall insulation and how they're installed, both for new construction and retrofit situations. The materials included liquid spray foam, recycled denim batts, fiberglass batts, blown-in fiberglass, and cellulose. Installation of vapor retarders over insulation was also discussed.
    Shopping List for How to Choose and Use Insulation:
    - notebook [amzn.to/2LnmzOb], pencil [amzn.to/2ZVftVe] and calculator, used to calculate and record insulation costs and quantities
    Tools for How to Choose and Use Insulation:
    - tape measure [amzn.to/2MXmOkN], for measuring room dimensions
    Tom showed Kevin a variety of materials used for insulating exterior walls, including Fiberglass Batts (faced & un-faced), blown-in fiberglass and liquid foam (open & closed cell).
    Manufacturers: CertainTeed Corp [www.certainteed.com/], Bonded Logic, Inc. [www.bondedlogic.com/]
    Supplier: Kamco Supply Corp. of Boston [www.kamcoboston.com/]
    Additional assistance provided by Anderson Insulation [www.andersoninsul.com/] (installers of several insulation types), Joseph Lstiburek, building scientist, Building Science Corp. [www.buildingscienceconsulting....]
    About Ask This Old House TV:
    Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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    How to Choose and Use Insulation | This Old House
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Komentáře • 394

  • @103realtree2
    @103realtree2 Před 2 lety +98

    I remember as a kid, being very annoying at the adults watching this old house. Now I’m an adult watching it and love it..

    • @djrelic247
      @djrelic247 Před 8 měsíci +1

      the original song would make me so sleepy. I really appreciate it now and watch a lot of videos.

    • @CertifiedMailSignatureRequired
      @CertifiedMailSignatureRequired Před 8 měsíci +1

      we should start a club. Tommy is my new uncle.

    • @leeboy244
      @leeboy244 Před 5 měsíci +1

      me too ! my dad loves this show &when I was little a hated it .haha

  • @WakandaBabe
    @WakandaBabe Před 5 měsíci +11

    I just had my attic air sealed before I added new cellulose insulation. The process was: All the old insulation was removed. Then an electrical contractor rewired the entire house; all knob and tube wiring was removed, not just deactivated. After the electrical inspection by the city, the insulation guys came back and air sealed the attic. They used foam board and various foams for cracks, etc. I saw pictures of what they did and the amount of work that was done was amazing. They also air sealed my basement in the same manner. Then new insulation was blown into the attic and more insulation was blown into the outer walls of the house. All the insulation work was done by a BPI certified contractor. Then an inspector came with a heat device and checked the heat loss. A few spots in the walls needed to be 'topped off' and that was done. The difference in my house is amazing; no more cold spots! I have a 1927 Craftsman Bungalow so I still have, and intend to keep, all the original windows, so heat loss happens there. I have caulked all the windows. I am working on getting interior storm windows but in the meantime, I put up plastic coverings. Even with the old windows, the house is significantly warmer. What a difference.

    • @TedTedness-wu4vb
      @TedTedness-wu4vb Před 2 měsíci

      What was the cost for just the full insulating?

    • @joanns.6380
      @joanns.6380 Před 24 dny

      I'm saving your comment. I want that done to my home. Just what I was looking for. Thanks for leaving your comment.

  • @FranciscoMartinez-zv2rw
    @FranciscoMartinez-zv2rw Před 3 lety +16

    Finally found what I was lookin for!!!! No other video talked about which direction the moisture barrier should be on!!!! Thanks you tommy

    • @laurabrown6002
      @laurabrown6002 Před 3 lety

      One of the Best Ideas of SoundProofing is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/

  • @ericdurrwachter957
    @ericdurrwachter957 Před 3 lety +11

    Building new house in 2021, wanted to go with closed cell, but with increased lumber costs went with wet sprayed cellulose. Thanks for the informative video!

  • @JerryJohn01
    @JerryJohn01 Před 8 lety +6

    Thank you so much! This is awesome information for a first time home owner like me

  • @clarasantiso8246
    @clarasantiso8246 Před 4 lety +10

    Love, love, love the detail in explaining the subjects of these men.

  • @jamesedwards1528
    @jamesedwards1528 Před 2 lety +1

    So glad you guys touched on vapor lock with the visqueen some very stubborn people would not listen to me about it

  • @plastifabusa5953
    @plastifabusa5953 Před 5 lety +9

    One of my favorites!

    • @laurabrown6002
      @laurabrown6002 Před 3 lety

      One of the Best Ideas of SoundProofing is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/

  • @Spooms1961
    @Spooms1961 Před 7 lety +22

    Brilliant! Thank you for clarifying some of the basic ideas with insulation. Well done guys.

    • @laurabrown6002
      @laurabrown6002 Před 3 lety

      One of the Best Ideas of SoundProofing is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/

  • @mikegrimaldi5844
    @mikegrimaldi5844 Před 3 měsíci

    Wish they talked more about the vapor control layer. It’s a topic on its own so may involve lots of details when/where/why to use.

  • @josephnorcalusa1710
    @josephnorcalusa1710 Před 6 lety

    nice info, Thank you for sharing !!

  • @alwaysrockn2009
    @alwaysrockn2009 Před 7 lety

    Great video!!!

  • @donnyjackson1908
    @donnyjackson1908 Před 3 lety +3

    I did Rockwool with Certainteed Membrain as the vapor retarder on my new build.

    • @VP411Designs
      @VP411Designs Před 4 měsíci +1

      What brand of Vapor Retrader did you use?

  • @rdooski
    @rdooski Před 3 lety +17

    Thanks to everyone in the comment section that mentioned rockwool. Its seems impossible but somehow I had never seen or heard of it. And it has all of the qualities I was looking for.

  • @robinanddad132
    @robinanddad132 Před 3 lety

    good information good old pink never let us down

  • @78910milo
    @78910milo Před měsícem

    that was everything I was asking!

  • @peterharper9703
    @peterharper9703 Před 5 lety +1

    Thanks!

  • @nic190
    @nic190 Před 6 lety

    Great video. Now I know to get the vapor retarder ,live in north east

    • @augustreil
      @augustreil Před 6 lety

      It's either paper faced insulation or un-faced and poly plastic.

  • @alexanderchuyko4889
    @alexanderchuyko4889 Před 4 lety +2

    Very nice! Especially for people who is just thinking about insulation! What exactly you would recommend for a plain 20+ years old (not commercial) single level residential house insulation? Brick veneer outside, than timber frame and plasterboard inside (with empty voids of course) :) I can see a soft maths at retail which are very similar to one of your samples. However nobody from experts can advise me about a vapour barier. How to do this? What kind of material I have to use? Is it something special or ... any plastic film can be used? A very interesting subject- what do we have to do with ... massonry "weep-holes" underneath? Should we cover them or leave them open? And, btw.... while insulating empty walls we are creating a nice environment for "crawlers". It will be convenient and warm for them to grow their colonies. How to prevent this "side effect", please? Thank you

  • @MRrwmac
    @MRrwmac Před 9 lety +5

    Two questions for Tom please? 1- How can a DIY homeowner put any of the retrofit insulation in ourselves without hiring out the job or renting a blower? 2- Why is the foam (or other full compact insulation) so popular to you Tom, when I have seen you trying to run wire or cable down the inside of an existing wall? Or for that matter, repair or run short plumbing vertically? Thanks to the team for all these Videos!! I learn something from all of them (wish your team could come to my house and video some needed repairs).

    • @tonym1279
      @tonym1279 Před 6 lety +1

      FYI...closed cell spray foam is the best insulation...BUT - you can't do it yourself and it's expensive. And if done incorrectly it can be dangerous and possibly render your house unlivable.

    • @thebeststooge
      @thebeststooge Před 6 lety +2

      I saw that on CZcams from a segment on the CBC where homes were made unlivable and people had these brand new homes but had to live in a trailer outside of the home or they would become instantly sick and the horrible smell too.

    • @larrymaloney877
      @larrymaloney877 Před 5 lety +1

      @@tonym1279 , it's not "the best" it harms our ecology big time. You can insulate inexpensively and reach zero energy.

  • @RyanJohnsonD
    @RyanJohnsonD Před 4 lety +2

    Great vid. Update please with radiant barrier materials. Please also have a series on passive house materials.

  • @c86tail
    @c86tail Před 6 lety +7

    Tom Silva is a genius. I would love to work with this guy

    • @richardwrynn824
      @richardwrynn824 Před 6 lety +1

      Tom is good at what he does. The few old timers who know their stuff and take pride in what they do are getting fewer and fewer. Cheap, sloppy and fast is the way most houses are built today.

    • @c86tail
      @c86tail Před 6 lety

      TheSeattlegreen - and your a tool. Crushing isn’t it.

  • @victorseal9047
    @victorseal9047 Před 6 lety +24

    Good information. But, no mention of what I found to be the best of all , Rockwool !

  • @ShiningSakura
    @ShiningSakura Před rokem +12

    I'm surprised they didn't talk about mineral wool or even sheeps wool as insulation. Sheep wool is a bit niche but mineral wool is very popular and readily available.

    • @vap0rtranz
      @vap0rtranz Před rokem

      I like mineral wool too. Evidently it can be blown in but I've never seen it in loose fill bags or heard a a contractor up for doing it. Hardware stores around me only carry mineral wool batts. So it's just more challenging to find it or find someone who'll blow it in.

  • @MeowfaceMusic
    @MeowfaceMusic Před 2 lety

    A-frame house in California. The section I’m thinking about currently has a sheetrock ceiling with insulation blown on top of it in the attic. Temps can get above 100F here. Can I get away with taking out the ceiling (and therefore insulation) and install stuff directly to the inside of the roof as an insulation replacement and reasonably expect the space to not get super hot on a 100-degree day?

  • @nicksmith2544
    @nicksmith2544 Před 3 lety

    Great informative but what about the new smart barriers? When should they be used?

  • @user-tx8ph4px1m
    @user-tx8ph4px1m Před měsícem +1

    I bet everyone here is an adult and loves watching their videos bec it useful to them, while my science teacher sent me 21 videos of this Chanel to watch, which I am dying from

  • @SheenaRea
    @SheenaRea Před 3 lety +1

    I'm trying to figure out how to get mold and mildew from developing in a large closet. Because it's on an outside wall, moisture seeps in. Tried DampRid (hardly any good) and a small dehumidifier (fairly ok). Does blown cellulose fix this issue? Or do I need a vapor barrier as shown at 2:38?

  • @jefftrifiletti9663
    @jefftrifiletti9663 Před 17 dny

    I work at owens corning and i never make fiberglas with a poly vapor barrier looks neat

  • @MrVocalBaby
    @MrVocalBaby Před 5 lety

    Great video, thank you!

  • @Gogala
    @Gogala Před 2 lety

    Hi - my bedroom is right above my garage. I am planning to have closed cell spray foam insulation on my garage ceiling. Do I need to put dry wall after or can I leave the spray foam exposed? I live in Toronto and it gets very good here during winter months. Thanks in advance.

  • @myhandletre3
    @myhandletre3 Před 3 lety +1

    Closed cell 2” all you need. The best!
    Open cell max fill cavity then trim. Second best!

  • @antimatters6283
    @antimatters6283 Před rokem

    Good, QUICK review.

  • @scottwebber652
    @scottwebber652 Před 4 lety

    My question is would a layer of blue or pink board on the studs but under the drywall be effective ? Live in Minnesota

  • @davidthompson7344
    @davidthompson7344 Před 5 lety +50

    Something no one talks about and most people don't realize is that the rigid spray foam insulation offers no sound proofing. My neighbor spent a fortune insulating his entire house with it and now he can hear someone's conversation on the sidewalk as if they were in the same room. Personally, I would spend the money on ICF instead.

    • @JayKay9112000
      @JayKay9112000 Před 5 lety +7

      You can use a combination, 2” closed cell to get your air and canoe barrier, then 3.5” of rock wool, then 5/8” sheet rock.

    • @JayKay9112000
      @JayKay9112000 Před 5 lety +2

      There’s also sound dampening you can put behind the drywall

    • @davidthompson7344
      @davidthompson7344 Před 5 lety +2

      @jaykay9112000 - I actually wouldn't do that either as it puts the vapor barrier (the foam) too close to the cold side of the wall (for my climate zone anyway - zone 6), asking for condensation and mold. Plus, who wants to hang entire homes in 5/8 board? Not me.

    • @briand.1694
      @briand.1694 Před 5 lety +4

      Because it dries hard, it become a sound 'conductor'. It creates a 'circuit' for sound to travel from the exterior to the interior. The other insulation's do the opposite with 'Rock-Wool' having probably the best sound-proofing characteristics. As with many things, there are trade-offs. . .

    • @JayKay9112000
      @JayKay9112000 Před 5 lety +5

      Brian D. I have now put spray foam in my ceiling and exterior walls, and I don’t notice anymore sound than when I had fiberglass. If you look at the sound dampening tests spray foam is only slightly below fiberglass in the testing

  • @33khamilton
    @33khamilton Před 4 lety

    Looking for advice, what insulation should i use on an attached to house garage wall? Paper out with a poly vapor barrier? Or no paper with a poly batrier? Thank you very much.

  • @yellowdog8092
    @yellowdog8092 Před 2 lety

    Great information. My home is about 50 years old i have no insulation in the floor and very little in the attic. What are my options?

    • @rudymmirelez6289
      @rudymmirelez6289 Před rokem

      What is the construction of your home? Open attic? Walkable? What's What's siding? Basement? Crawl? Slab?

  • @mickmage91able
    @mickmage91able Před 5 lety

    Which would be better to insulate the plywood side of a house. Open or closed cell foam. I live in the middle region. R38 is what I've been recommended

  • @jesfrex
    @jesfrex Před 2 lety

    Faced insulation can be used in garage attic, with faced going below and also installing plywood boards on top of joists for walk over?
    Should be unfaced be used instead of faced?

  • @ellypotamianos1846
    @ellypotamianos1846 Před 6 měsíci

    Which is the best retrofit material for a cathedral ceiling through the fascia & soffit to add present bat insulation in Illinois weather. Venting along the soffit was shut due to the moisture condensation inside & vents at top of roof left open cause scaling at top of beam inside. Thermal imaging was done and the corners & a 4 x 5 foot area over the front door was missing insulation. Advise would be greatly appreciated.

  • @gjkrisa
    @gjkrisa Před 2 lety

    I’m not so sure that heat wants to transfer to cold but cold with add force to heat. I’ve noticed this with my insulated over shoe that in the truck I will have the heat on high and not feel the heat in my boots but 30 seconds after I step out side I feel my feet getting really warm and can feel it for awial. Now with houses I’ve noticed ac will run for 15 minutes at a time during the day when it’s 90 outside but as soon as temps out side reach 60 starting at 7pm I notice inside temps go up and the ac is running almost none stop till 2am we keep inside temps at 65 2x6 fiberglass insulation with internal vapor barrier.
    Also before adding ac inside temps would be ok at 75 during the day till it started getting colder outside then temps would reach 90 inside with all the windows open the best way to solve the issue was to have fans on one side of the house sucking and another blowing it out to force the air otherwise it didn’t seem to really move.
    I’m thinking a heat shield may work better if you could build a awning around the whole house with a air gap atleast three in from the actual house may help? Since heat Shields work very well for car exhaust. Even better would be to add a three inch vacuum chamber around the whole house but can’t think of any good way of creating that

  • @evankaden657
    @evankaden657 Před rokem

    We need an update that includes Rockwool in the comparison.

  • @maudessen573
    @maudessen573 Před rokem

    Looking for up-to-date info on insulating full masonry buildings like my 1903 residence in St. Louis.

  • @reddog418
    @reddog418 Před 4 lety +8

    If you're here in 2020, it's been determined that water vapor amounts for about a quarter of a pint over the period of a year. Compare that to almost 12 quarts of water with just a 1 inch hole in your wall. Air movement > water vapor, every time.
    Also, a latex primer over your drywall is more than enough of a water vapor barrier.

  • @steveclements399
    @steveclements399 Před 6 lety +3

    great video. I live in New England and will be building a new home. I want to use closed cell spray foam and have had others suggest 1" of foil backed board over the spray foam on the inside of the house to stop thermal bridging - what is your take?
    Thanks

    • @GhostRiderSpiritOfVengeance
      @GhostRiderSpiritOfVengeance Před 10 měsíci +1

      Hey, I was curious what decision you went with, if there was anything you wish you knew in advance, and how is it holding up 5 years later?

  • @davidgunther1282
    @davidgunther1282 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I can't believe there was no mention of faced vs unfaced and the benefits of each, especially when talking about moisture/water vapor.

  • @campampates
    @campampates Před 5 lety +1

    which one keeps the house cooler during the summer and keeps it warm during winter!!?? Vegas weather is killing me heereee

  • @ModSquads
    @ModSquads Před 2 lety +1

    Love this show.
    Can the retrofit blown insulation be used for plaster lathe walls? I have a brick colonial.

    • @chrisdix1390
      @chrisdix1390 Před 2 lety +1

      Yes it can

    • @ModSquads
      @ModSquads Před 2 lety

      @@chrisdix1390
      Great. Thank you

    • @WakandaBabe
      @WakandaBabe Před rokem +1

      I have lath and plaster walls and had insulation blown in my exterior walls...no problems at all. I have a 1920s bungalow. If you have knob and tube wiring I would make sure you can blow in insulation over that. I was told that is a no no.

  • @cwhite8860
    @cwhite8860 Před rokem +2

    Thank you, good information! Is there any health risk with anyone of these types of products or anything to look out forward when having a company install?

  • @badairbnbguests.robert6516

    There is so much more about INSULATION - thermal barriers and air sealing and perm ratings, testing the air tightness using a blowerdoor. and then there is the off-gassing of foam, and then there is the carbon emissions of creating the product. what product is natural ? Healthy ? Affordable ?
    DENSE PACK CELLULOSE

    • @calebstarcher4934
      @calebstarcher4934 Před 4 lety +1

      Closed cell spray foam has a much larger R-value however.

  • @angelabaldwin9
    @angelabaldwin9 Před 5 lety

    boy I go around and around with how to insulate my old house, I know there is some in the walls but not much. I have an old lath and plaster home. very cold What would any one suggest for an update for insulation ? Thank you Cold in Montana

    • @AnaIG4
      @AnaIG4 Před 3 lety

      Easily closed cell

  • @temichel
    @temichel Před 2 lety +1

    What is the best insulation for an attic?

  • @organicvids
    @organicvids Před 2 lety

    They make pourable closed cell foam. Dont mix more that 16z pours at a time in 2x4 wall cavities.

  • @richardmitchell7339
    @richardmitchell7339 Před 6 lety

    What about external insulation products to reduce damp and black mould inside the home.

  • @johnagricola5954
    @johnagricola5954 Před rokem

    Question i have a shed the wall are open cavity. I also live in Flroida, very hot. My concern is wall are open, so can i installed a vapor barrier push in between the studs and thn installed? avoid mositure and mold.

  • @coreysgmail7261
    @coreysgmail7261 Před 8 měsíci

    Hi in New York, NYSERDA and coned offer company’s to come in with a rebate and insulate attic with loose fill and closed walled with a blown in insulation without removing the pink.
    It feels like they just want to get in and out. And make a lot of money
    Can you tell me what I should use in the attic and in the walls …. Should they suck out old stuff

  • @ajoy2w
    @ajoy2w Před 4 lety

    I have a house built in 1935 and it has no insulation on the outside walls. All it has is wood vertically going across the frame of the house then this black paper and finally the original wood siding. Should I use a Vapor Retardant on both sides of my fiberglass insulation? I live in Northeast Ohio so we get weather like New England.

  • @zachwilkinson9470
    @zachwilkinson9470 Před 2 lety +1

    What about insulation for interior walls, like for multi-zone interiors or for sound insulation?

    • @ZachAshcraft
      @ZachAshcraft Před 2 lety

      Rockwool is a great option for this, great sound deadening properties. Matt Risinger has some good videos on it

  • @JimmyBamis
    @JimmyBamis Před 3 měsíci

    Can i insulate interior walls of my attic? I have a furnace in the attic and want to keep it as warm as possible since it's very cold in 10 degree temps in winter time.

  • @Preppy_Olivia13
    @Preppy_Olivia13 Před 4 lety

    I live in Ohio, can I and/or should I use Open Cell spray foam? We've gutted the lower level so it would be like applying it to new construction but the upper level will be retro fitted.

  • @rubbersole79
    @rubbersole79 Před 3 lety +4

    Anyone know of an option for insulating a beatiful old cabin with log siding ext, and vertical pine solid paneling inside?

    • @hayden9102
      @hayden9102 Před 2 lety

      It’s hard

    • @CogitoBcn
      @CogitoBcn Před rokem

      Probably reframing exterior walls inside and re-panelling them, but depending on the footage of the rooms you will lose quite percent of it.

  • @ricardoclemente3255
    @ricardoclemente3255 Před 6 lety

    things to considered in any insulation: fire; sound; temperature; moisture

  • @almostrvperfect6203
    @almostrvperfect6203 Před 4 lety

    In the first minute of this video I heard Mr. Silva say heat travels to cold. So, in the north put the vapor barrier inside where the heat is. In the south put the vapor barrier on the outside, where the heat is. My question, I am building a four season camper van, Promaster, to be traveled very north and very south. It is going to be insulated. Any suggestions as to where to install a vapor barrier. Thanks.

    • @johnbecich9540
      @johnbecich9540 Před 3 lety

      Sounds like you had better design for fault-tolerance. You are really stretching the conceptual envelope here; this is not a forum for vehicles.

  • @chrishotrod6603
    @chrishotrod6603 Před 4 lety

    Which one is good gor blocking outside noise?

  • @soahcalm
    @soahcalm Před 6 lety

    i have an old house 1930 no insulation.. stick built.. it has a cavity to insulate.. but right now its got a lot of wet on the bottom of some of the walls.. about a foot off the floor.. those floors are close to the ground the crawl space, is literally so low you cant crawl under those parts.. there is vinyl siding outside but i do not think there is a vapor barrier at all.. its just the clapboard and walls, i think its plaster but i dunno if someone has put sheetrock over it in an attempt to cover wet walls.... i have to drill in to see if its plaster, but i'm guessing that it is due to its age... how can i insulate these exterior walls.. can i use foam in insulation with a vapor retarder on the inside and put up new drywall.. ripping out all the exterior plaster walls. or will it still sweat and get damp because there is no vapor barrier outside ? i know i cannot strip all the clapboard cladding off the house and add vapor barrier i just don't have the funds.. can a vapor barrier be put between the vinyl siding and the wood clapboard siding? or will this trap moisture.. another thing i thought about doing was taking down the outside walls, putting an inch of cut to fit styrofoam between the studs leaving a little room between the clapboard siding and foaming all around the styrofoam... to stop air infiltration and then putting the fiberglass batting inside and then drywall... will this work? or is there a way i can blow something in the walls and not cause it to get damp and rot down the walls. i've read that blow in in an old house with plaster can cause house rot and damp walls and attract bugs.. ?? any suggestions? i am driving myself nuts trying to figure this out... we have two trooms at the back that we tore the wet wallboard all out of its a board batten type of add on, no airspace, it has wood clapboard on the outside and then vinyl on top of that, i want to build new 2x4 walls and insulate the walls in these rooms but what should i do.. should i just strip off all the wood and vinyl outside and put on plywood and a vapor barrier? or is there a way i can do it without having to strip off the clapboard siding... i really don't want to have to do that if i can get by another way... the house is right nearly on the ground towards the back, all the sills have rotted, they have poured a concrete ditch all round the side of the ouse in a U shape in an attempt to direct water away from the foundation.. im worried that this is the reason for all this dampness its just not doing its job... help!!

  • @ximenoworks
    @ximenoworks Před 8 lety +129

    Nothing was mentioned about Stone Wool or Roxul or fire prevention.

    • @Engineer9736
      @Engineer9736 Před 7 lety +7

      ximenoworks There was something mentioned about fire prevention.

    • @lindamunsey9898
      @lindamunsey9898 Před 6 lety +3

      How do I get insulation into existing walls

    • @shawnr771
      @shawnr771 Před 6 lety +13

      Linda Munsey He covered it at the end.
      Home Depot rents a machine. Drill about a 2" hole at the top of the wall between each set of studs. Lots of holes. The machine grinds it up and blows it into the cavity. Then repair the holes.

    • @tutubee507
      @tutubee507 Před 6 lety +7

      Shawn R, dont forget a hole at the center. 😉

    • @astroko
      @astroko Před 6 lety

      Outside, inside og in between :)

  • @alexfr811
    @alexfr811 Před 6 lety

    Hi! Really useful video.,. I'd like to ask a question... I live in Mexico, near Mexico City, where temperatures in winter go to 0 or 1 degree Celsius, so it's super cold but still it's very cold. My house is specially cold since it's oriented to North so it's also very dark in winter. So my question is, is it absolutely indispensable to insulate all the walls of the house or it'd be ok to insulate a couple of walls and see how better it gets and then pick up from there?... Thx so much for the advise. Regards

    • @serpientexx
      @serpientexx Před 6 lety +1

      Biker BMW - todas las paredes del exterior es muy importante para conservar energía.

  • @Bunkysworkshop
    @Bunkysworkshop Před 7 lety

    We have a attic with no insulation at all. . We want to go with the spay foam but what kind do we use and what company to trust? HELP This old house is more then welcome to my home.

    • @Labbestuss
      @Labbestuss Před 6 lety +1

      Dont use foam. Dont risk your families health. Also it difficult to get out or install stuff in it. Use fibreglass or rockwool.

  • @hvnlyangellee
    @hvnlyangellee Před 5 lety

    How about foam panels? Also which way does the foil side face. This is for a wood shed in Fl. No barrier on outside of shed.

    • @johnbecich9540
      @johnbecich9540 Před 3 lety +1

      If you have FOIL, that's a radiant barrier. It MUST have an air gap (vacuum would be better, but that's impossible on earth) and the foil should remain SHINY for best effect. Why? Because conduction (intimate contact of foil shiny side with other building materials) defeats the radiant stop. So never put shiny where it will get dusty or coated with anything. Radiant barriers work both as high reflectors and low emitters; they work in "the dark" and are fabulous for attics, to retard radiant heating of attic from hot roofing shingles. Shiny side DOWN; or IN. EXCELLENT for garages that suffer from sun exposure in hot climates. Caveat: sub-rafter foil is a rat haven! So you must defend against rat infestation.

  • @skinnygumbo2700
    @skinnygumbo2700 Před 5 lety +1

    I am remodelling an old house, I'm doing this for the first time and now I am about to insulated the exterior walls. The problem is that the distance between studs varies from 10 to 19 inches so if I use fiberglass batts it's going to be a nightmare. I wonder if blowing cellulose wouldn't be a better idea, but I am also worried about the cost. Can anybody give me a suggestion here? Thank you.

  • @saharasimpson4350
    @saharasimpson4350 Před 3 lety

    So I’m 22 buying an apt and need to insulate I’ll probably keep/ live in the house for 3-5 years but eventually sell any recommendations

    • @AnaIG4
      @AnaIG4 Před 3 lety

      What did u end up doing? Closed cell has a high return on investment, but high initial cost

  • @joesmith5302
    @joesmith5302 Před 4 lety

    Closed caption essential for these high info, instructional videos. Sound quality seems to vary greatly video to video.

  • @oscarroque01
    @oscarroque01 Před 9 lety

    What type of insulation would you use on a shipping container home (tiny home) where the walls are not flat and you're trying to keep the outside heat from the inside?

    • @firemedic-86
      @firemedic-86 Před 9 lety

      Is there any type of framing on the inside or is it just the shipping container's wall?

    • @oscarroque01
      @oscarroque01 Před 9 lety

      Ryan J Just the wall

  • @sherylnapier6020
    @sherylnapier6020 Před 6 lety +1

    Can anyone tell me what that vapor barrier is actually called? I am speaking of the 2nd one he mentions that allows some ventilation. Thank so much from Maine, USA

  • @zacharywarner1678
    @zacharywarner1678 Před 4 lety +4

    What's ur opinion on rock wool. I've heard alot of great things. Fair price as well. Building at 10,ooo ft. Need to be warm.

    • @jeff15
      @jeff15 Před 3 lety

      I recently installed it on part of my basement, saw a difference right away. Wear gloves and eye protection. I recommend to anyone. I paid about $51 for one pack covers about 59 sq feet of space. Good luck.

  • @alonzoeldenjohnson6341

    What to do in rust belt of South Dakota?

  • @mousearebec
    @mousearebec Před 7 lety +21

    I watch this show on You Tube and the the TV....... it's just too bad we don't have these type of craftsmen in the Houston area...... where things are very often built the "Houston way".......... aka, build it so it "lasts" a year, after which, the warranty is up and it is the homeowners problem. See these poor workmanship issues all over town. Especially on the west and northwest side. Pretty sad.

    • @cup_and_cone
      @cup_and_cone Před 7 lety +3

      Mickey Cook - Cough DR Horton Cough. That's what happens when you get a home builder that only goes with the lowest bidder on everything, and a lead contractor who is never on-site to make sure quality is met as workers come and go.

    • @mousearebec
      @mousearebec Před 7 lety +5

      Yep I was doing an inspection out in Katy/Cinco on Friday..... $350K house with the most basic AC system you could put in. Only 9 years old. You could see them in most of the houses in that subdivision. Even the house next door to this one had 3 different types of siding/brick. Two different types of brick and Hardi also....... what was that about. But you'll still have people buy this junk.

    • @lavastonesnull6686
      @lavastonesnull6686 Před 7 lety

      Mickey Cook

    • @HollywoodCreeper
      @HollywoodCreeper Před 6 lety +3

      That is what happens when you hire illegals and find out who built your house.

    • @shawnr771
      @shawnr771 Před 5 lety

      @@mousearebec See if that was one of the last houses built in that subdivision. Many times the developers will use up left overs on the last house.

  • @thedyslexic9936
    @thedyslexic9936 Před 7 lety

    We can go from -40F (-40C) in the winter to 104F (40C) in the summer. Would you consider that to be like New England when it comes to vapor barrier/vapor retarder?

  • @ReeseAnderson
    @ReeseAnderson Před 7 lety +1

    At 2:40 the guy talks about a vapour retarder, would this be something to go on both sides if you get hot and cold weather ? I'm wondering if it would need to go next to the exterior wall and on the other side next to the interior wall.

    • @drummerjosh1984
      @drummerjosh1984 Před 7 lety +2

      Livin In A Box I live in an area where we get get hot and cold. from my understanding the vapor barrier faces the conditioned space. This would be why bat insulation isn't sold with the paper face on both sides. You wouldn't want to trap moisture between the two barriers.

    • @skylerhall1537
      @skylerhall1537 Před 6 lety

      I actually had this exact question bc I want to retrofit a barn into a small home for myself and was wondering about keeping myself efficiently warm and which way to face the retardant for the blue jean batting when I put it up! Yay for prowling the comments for answers!

    • @augustreil
      @augustreil Před 6 lety

      Yes, the plastic or paper faced insulation always faces the heated area. It's not really a retardant, it's usually just called a vapor barrier.

    • @coffeymeister17
      @coffeymeister17 Před 6 lety +1

      I'm insulating a room now and have vinyl faced 4 ft wide r13. I have to double it over because I have 2x6 walls. Was curious if I need to remove one side of the batting to avoid mildew?

    • @augustreil
      @augustreil Před 6 lety +1

      tyler coffey, here in New England, we would remove one of the vapor barriers. The remaining one would be facing you or towards the heated/conditioned area.

  • @ltcajh
    @ltcajh Před 7 lety +6

    I like a show that teaches you how to fix and build. All the other shows entertain, but don't teach you much.

  • @simeondimchev122
    @simeondimchev122 Před 4 lety +1

    I was thinking about putting 2 in. XPS and 4 in. roxul on top of it in my 2x6 exterior walls. Something like a combination between those two types of insulation in search of better performance for less price. But Im not sure. Im afraid of possible moisture collection inside the wall because of this XPS. I live in climate zone 5 (upper part, actually almost zone 6). Do I have to worry and do I have to use vapour barrier/retarder in this case?

    • @ronwest7930
      @ronwest7930 Před 4 lety

      I am curious what you ended up doing?

    • @simeondimchev122
      @simeondimchev122 Před 4 lety +1

      @@ronwest7930 I didn't do it after all. Just put 6 in. Roxul and smart retarder on top of it. Didn't dare to use XPS inside of the wall considering climate zone I'm in. Also nobody that I asked encouraged me to do so.

    • @ronwest7930
      @ronwest7930 Před 4 lety

      @@simeondimchev122 I am curious how much the Roxul cost? I am planning a small home and trying to figure out what insulation to use that doesn't break the bank.

    • @simeondimchev122
      @simeondimchev122 Před 4 lety

      @@ronwest7930 Probably can't help you with the price just because I live in Europe, Bulgaria, but definitely it's cheaper then XPS or any open or close cell spray foam.

  • @raeleenmandy6359
    @raeleenmandy6359 Před 3 lety

    What about califorina , do you need air vapor barrior

  • @stacktier8257
    @stacktier8257 Před 3 lety

    on retrofit, how is a vapor barrier added for cellulose or fiberglass?

    • @infinitusvires1
      @infinitusvires1 Před 2 lety

      I'd definitely like to know the same. I am insulating the common wall in my garage in Ohio and I'm dreading custom cutting the poly to fit every bay.

  • @orangejuli07
    @orangejuli07 Před 7 lety +3

    I live in Southern Ohio, we get both hot summers and cold winters here in the midwest. My home was built in the early 1950's and has very scattered fiberglass insulation on the attic floor. If I wanted to turn the attic into a usable space during the summer and winter, would I have to insulate interior of the roof instead? Currently it is just framing, nothing but wood. Also- would this mean leaving what is on the floor? replacing it? or adding to it?
    All recommendations welcome!

    • @augustreil
      @augustreil Před 6 lety

      Leave the insulation in the floor/add to it also and yes you need to insulate the roof rafters. Please make sure you have soffit vents and bay vents as well as ridge vents to make sure you shingles have proper air flow below them. Hope this helps.

    • @BenRSnyder
      @BenRSnyder Před 6 lety

      If you want to use the attic year round, you would probably need an HVAC run to it, plus lights and outlets. Being a heated and cooled space, I would think you'd want to remove the insulation on the floor to take advantage of radiant heat from below. The ceiling would need to be insulated but to get enough R value in the rafters cavities you'd need closed cell spray foam or fir strips to build the cavities out, and you need adequate ventilation too. It's a rather big job to do it right.

    • @harryschultze6690
      @harryschultze6690 Před 6 lety

      Mario Cartolano leave the insulation in the floor and put plywood over the top of it. Then insulate between the rafters and the end walls. I prefer John's Mansville because it does not have formaldehyde in the insulation. Make sure it has a vapor barrier that's pointed towards you. You can leave it that way or drywall over the top of it if you want to turn it into usable living space.

  • @seanmets5403
    @seanmets5403 Před 5 lety

    What's the best insulation to help sound proof and is good for South Dakota weather

  • @jonathangwynne1917
    @jonathangwynne1917 Před 7 lety +4

    For simple stud/joist bays, I prefer rock-wool. Better R-value than fiberglass, waterproof, fireproof and better sound deadening.

    • @larrymaloney877
      @larrymaloney877 Před 5 lety +2

      Those qualities are determined by which rockwool you buy. You don't get high R-value and high fire resistance in the same package.

    • @tarlach1280x960
      @tarlach1280x960 Před 5 lety

      @@larrymaloney877 you're full of Bologna mr. Maloney

    • @larrymaloney877
      @larrymaloney877 Před 5 lety +1

      @@tarlach1280x960 have big mamma read you the labels, child. You can if you want.

  • @SteveP-vm1uc
    @SteveP-vm1uc Před 6 lety +1

    So are there any issues with first coating with closed cell and then once set, second coating with open cell? Or is there a reason not to do this? I am in the Tampa Bay area, so most of the time we are trying to keep the heat out. Also, what would happen if we used closed cell against the inside of the roof and then over the years we developed a roof leak? Where would that water go and how would you even know it to know it needed repair? Also, what about fire safety? No one ever talks about fire issues.

    • @stevenrieger3666
      @stevenrieger3666 Před 6 lety

      "Foam it Green" actually recommends open cell sprayed in the cavity first followed by open cell for the rest.

    • @larrymaloney877
      @larrymaloney877 Před 5 lety

      @@stevenrieger3666 , how do you recommend stopping the foam form decomposing or separating from the wall or losing it's R-value over time?

  • @Dlmcd00
    @Dlmcd00 Před 4 lety +2

    Hello guys, why there is no closed caption? Please do the closed caption for all deaf and hard hearing to learn more everything as you said on video, it is very important to us to know what to do to our improvement in our future! Thank you...Dave

  • @ronsmith7739
    @ronsmith7739 Před 2 lety

    Use rockwool, it's the best. Fire proof too.

  • @robertyoung1777
    @robertyoung1777 Před 2 lety +2

    Closed cell foam may transmit noises through the wall.
    What’s the best for clean air in the house?
    Do these emit toxic fumes?

    • @KnightofAntiquity
      @KnightofAntiquity Před rokem

      Make your house as cold as possible or as hot as possible for your climate. Then open all your windows.

  • @CyndiLH
    @CyndiLH Před 5 lety +5

    What about the chemical off gasing of the foams, Boron on cellulose, etc...?

  • @jamiefm484
    @jamiefm484 Před 8 lety +4

    which is best for a sound proof wall ?

    • @doomaster4
      @doomaster4 Před 8 lety +5

      I'm thinking stone wool

    • @bigbadpman
      @bigbadpman Před 7 lety +2

      Open cell without a doubt it has by far the best transient noise reduction levels 70% at 120mm thick

    • @2127862858
      @2127862858 Před 6 lety

      Jamie FM
      Deaf neighborhood,

    • @foghat34
      @foghat34 Před 6 lety

      Cellulose insulation has the best soundproof.

    • @sirlancelot836
      @sirlancelot836 Před 5 lety +1

      Roxal stone wool

  • @SledgeHammer43
    @SledgeHammer43 Před 5 lety

    Ask Tommy about Airkrete.

  • @ninjazzrhythm400
    @ninjazzrhythm400 Před 3 lety

    Ummm, so why would he say keep the fiber glass loose and then later keep them dense? So which is it?

  • @SHANKDAWGBABY
    @SHANKDAWGBABY Před 6 lety +2

    Have you discussed insulating a crawl space on this channel?

    • @johnbecich9540
      @johnbecich9540 Před 3 lety

      Matt Risinger has. But I wouldn't want any flammable foam beneath my feet; that would be an accelerant in the event some fire (or even malicious intentionally-set blaze) began in said crawl space. Rats chew wires, too. Smoke from polyurethane foam is notoriously toxic. Smoke rises!

  • @esclavosoy1
    @esclavosoy1 Před 8 lety

    I live in an old house in Fresno, Ca and have hot summers and cold winters. I want to blow in insulation but I'm afraid I'll get mold. What do you guys suggest?

    • @varun009
      @varun009 Před 8 lety

      +esclavosoy In any case, you're going to need a contractor. I doubt you have the tools and material to blow in cellulose information, so they should have it covered. You're on the right track, though, picking blow in as opposed to traditional application methods which are much more invasive.

    • @esclavosoy1
      @esclavosoy1 Před 7 lety

      yakyakyak69 thanks for the info.

    • @tonym1279
      @tonym1279 Před 6 lety

      Retro-foam. They fill your walls with foam insulation - and you don't have to tear walls out to do it. They simply drill holes in the walls and pump in the insulation. All you have to do it patch the holes.

    • @johnbecich9540
      @johnbecich9540 Před 3 lety

      @@tonym1279 The problem is the "old house in Fresno" will be a water leaker. It rains in winter, and water runs into the exterior walls, from defective and aging roofs. By adding foam (whether closed cell or open cell) to the stud bays, you are increasing risk of water retention inside those walls. That means fungus and mold. Here in SoCal, everything dries out if it's not hampered by foam, plastic layers, etc. It's even hotter and drier in Fresno in the summer, and that suggests that radiant barriers are appropriate. Those foam ideas seem to be more appropriate in Toronto and Boston.

  • @thedyslexic9936
    @thedyslexic9936 Před 7 lety +1

    Doesn't shaving off the top "skin" of the foam diminish the vapour barrier effectiveness...or can you combat that by spraying in two or three goes?

    • @augustreil
      @augustreil Před 6 lety

      That's open cell. You need a spray vapor barrier or 4 mill plastic.

    • @tonym1279
      @tonym1279 Před 6 lety

      closed cell foam sprayed outside the house - on a roof for example - MUST be coated to protect the foam from UV rays which will break it down. If done correctly, I've seen spray foam roofs last 30 years and never leaked.

  • @wvaraujo1
    @wvaraujo1 Před 5 lety +3

    What about the 2×4 wood spots? They don't get any insulation?

  • @mescetacy
    @mescetacy Před 4 lety +1

    what about mineral wool?

  • @zobomaz
    @zobomaz Před 8 lety +32

    how about rock wool insulation ? the fire proof insulation?

    • @dngriffiths8105
      @dngriffiths8105 Před 6 lety +3

      If you want to have some comfort as to which material to put in your home, check out this video: czcams.com/video/RKZd1ZTjvzE/video.html
      It's a slam dunk: Roxul rock wool every time.

    • @howtomakepottery
      @howtomakepottery Před 5 lety +2

      1200 C. From the Rockwool site, "ROCKWOOL insulation won’t burn, or release toxic gases or smoke when exposed to high heat. Smoke kills-fire produces toxic fumes and these fumes tend to rise, so danger increases at higher levels in the room. ROCKWOOL resists temperatures of up to 2150◦F (1177◦C) without burning or melting which is well above heat levels of typical house fires."

    • @larrymaloney877
      @larrymaloney877 Před 5 lety +5

      @@howtomakepottery , tread lightly. There are several grades of Rockwool. Some have great fire retardant qualities but a lower R-value. The better R-valued Rockwool gives up its fire retarding abilities. The manufacture obscures that fact in its literature and advertising, in my opinion. The low R-value, fire retardant variety is great for blocking holes during new construction.

    • @tarlach1280x960
      @tarlach1280x960 Před 5 lety +1

      @@larrymaloney877 you're full of Bologna.

    • @larrymaloney877
      @larrymaloney877 Před 5 lety +2

      @@tarlach1280x960 , Have your mother read you the labels as a bedtime story.