[GBlist] Cotton Insulation

[Sarah Holland/David Foley <hollandfoley@acadia.net>]

Dear Folks,

I've used cotton insulation, but only as sound insulation between floors.
As with any insulation, moisture control is critical, but the largest bulk
of moisture is almost always from wind-driven precipitation.  Vapor pressure
across a wall or roof is far less, although still important.  If you're in a
cooling-dominated climate, where the air is usually warmer or moister
outside than inside, an interior vapor barrier is on the wrong side.  In a
heating-dominated climate, a vapor barrier on the inside is a good idea.
Often, latex paint on gypsum board is sufficient, but 6 mil poly, or a
stabilized polyethylene like Tenoarm, is good insurance and not too
expensive.

Cotton insulation is easy to tear across the batt, but very difficult to cut
along the length of the batt.  I had pretty good luck using a very sharp
pizza cutter (the little wheel-like gizmo), with scrap plywood beneath the
batt.

Best of luck with the projects.

- David Foley

PS - Out of the country for the next three weeks.  Sarah Holland, my
business partner, will be monitoring the list.  Please remember to be kind
and civil to one another.

-- 
Holland & Foley Building Design L.L.C.
232 Beech Hill Rd.
Northport, Maine 04849 USA
p: (207) 338-9869 f: (207) 338-9859 e: hollandfoley@acadia.net


______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________