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Thread: Greenest insulation (mineral wool?)

  1. #1

    Greenest insulation (mineral wool?)

    Interesting article on TreeHugger:

    What is the greenest insulation? The case for mineral wool

    It would be pretty easy to use that insulation in a B&P project, I think...

  2. #2
    LHBA Member Timberwolf's Avatar
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    Actually, this is what I used behind my chinking. It is fantastic. Cuts easily, compresses without loosing much, if any R-Value, isn't itchy to work with and costs about the same as fiberglass

    But probably the best feature is how it repels water.

    As an example, I had an entire wall insulated and nailed, but not chinked when a driving rain storm blew in overnight. It was strong enough to blow water 4 feet into the house through the window cut outs on the second floor, despite the 8ft overhangs. Next morning, the insulation was completely dry, the water never soaked in at all.


    Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post
    Interesting article on TreeHugger:

    What is the greenest insulation? The case for mineral wool

    It would be pretty easy to use that insulation in a B&P project, I think...
    As a whole, the LHBA system (and it is a system) of building, is simplicity at it's core, longevity at it's heart and strength throughout.

    Build to your need, and....desire, and.....ability. And be secure in your decision.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/parent.j...gHomeBuilding#

  3. #3
    LHBA Member loghousenut's Avatar
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    Don't let this thread die a quick death.

  4. #4
    how expensive was it, Jason?

  5. #5
    LHBA Member Timberwolf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panderson03 View Post
    how expensive was it, Jason?
    A bag of batts is within a few dollars of the pink fiberglass stuff. I used a total of 5 bags of R22 (5 1/2" thick) 24" OC batts (I don't know why, but the bigger batts were easier to work with (I had a bat of 16" wide stuff left over from a project, and the cutting wasn't as efficent).

    Each bag was about $40, so not a huge expense (note, this is for outside only)

    To cut the bats, I did the following. Cut the batt in half crosswise (now have 2 pieces 24x24)
    Cut the 1/2 batts into strips the width you need (I rarely had 1" strips, most of mine were in the 3-4" range, with 2" and 5-6" as well)
    Turn each strip on it's side, and cut with the grain to split it in half.
    Needless to say, a batt goes along way.

    If you do use mineral wool, get one of these: http://www.homedepot.ca/product/mineral-wool-saw/974658
    Last edited by Timberwolf; 01-16-2012 at 05:20 AM.
    As a whole, the LHBA system (and it is a system) of building, is simplicity at it's core, longevity at it's heart and strength throughout.

    Build to your need, and....desire, and.....ability. And be secure in your decision.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/parent.j...gHomeBuilding#

  6. #6
    LHBA Member
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    Good info. Thanks guys

  7. #7
    LHBA Member rckclmbr428's Avatar
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    I have been thinking about finding some local sheep owners and trying to gather wool for a while before my next build, I like the idea of using straight up sheeps wool for insulation
    www.WileyLogHomes.com
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  8. #8
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
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    I believe there's quite a bit more to it than just stuffing sheared wool into the log openings. Isn't the wool stripped of oils or tannins or something, then borate treated? I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that there is some process needing to be done before it's ready for use.
    All my bad forum habits I learned from LHN

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  9. #9
    LHBA Member rckclmbr428's Avatar
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    I'm sure there are people in the wool business that may advocate that, but why not just go Au Natural? Maybe I need to get a couple sheep to keep my yard mowed and just start shearing them...
    www.WileyLogHomes.com
    "Hand Crafted Traditions"

  10. #10
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
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    Yea, perhaps. I would run some tests to be sure, but wonder if maybe there is an odor issue. Like if it was humid. I don't know, just guessing.
    All my bad forum habits I learned from LHN

    Rod Reidnauer
    Class of Apr. 9-10, 2005
    Thinking outside the vinyl sided box

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