Comments on: What I Got Wrong in Criticizing Fiberglass Batts

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:50:05 +0000

Fiberglass *can* also be manufactured into a denser, more rigid batt that can friction fit, closer to what we see with mineral wool. Instead we get paper faced fiberglass wet noodles that fail to properly fill cavities. If the industry wants a better reputation, maybe consider offering a better product. I’m sorry if I offend the fiberglass manufacturers, but what I see in the US market is crap. If you pick 10 different installers and have them insulate one wall+ceiling with fiberglass and another with mineral wool, I bet the mineral wool wins 10/10 across all categories of gaps, overall R-value, install quality, speed vs. R-value etc. All except raw material cost. But when you factor the rest vs cost, the mineral wool will win again. Unless you happen to get that amazing installer that actually *can* take the fiberglass to its’ peak performance.

As I previously mentioned it doesn’t HAVE to be this way. It’s not the fiberglass itself, it’s mostly the way the industry has chosen to manufacture and sell it.

Problem is we build houses with 2 things in mind. Lowest price possible and spend the rest on surface finishes. Why else would we get the grade of fiberglass we get?

By: rj

rj — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 00:26:35 +0000

Everybody claims to want Tort Reform until their product, company or work is publicly critiqued. Then they engage on retainer lawyers to intimidate the author.

By: Paul Szymkiewicz

Paul Szymkiewicz — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 18:30:50 +0000

Most importantly, though, we appreciate so much the kind of tribulations you, Allison, had to go through as you were developing your business and your presence in the Building Science world. This particular experience must have been scary, and uncalled for.

By: Paul Szymkiewicz

Paul Szymkiewicz — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 18:17:47 +0000

Installing insulation is like parenting. Every new generation keeps making the same mistakes. I’ve seen fiberglass 20 years ago installed in the same poor manner as 10 years ago, or just a couple of months ago. The stuff is just too fluffy, it invites sloppiness (and lawyers).

By: Fred Bacher

Fred Bacher — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 17:07:03 +0000

Once the drywall is on, unless you destroy the house, you are pretty much stuck with what they’ve done in the walls. Fixing the attic can be possible although mine has some very inaccessible areas and is very tight in spots. I went around my house in the winter and summer with a thermal camera and it was frightening what I found. I have one room that gets too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and the room facing south shows up as only half insulated. I’ve drilled some small holes to inspect and while I do detect insulation it must be horribly compressed. I’ve vowed to remove an 8×4 foot section on the bottom and fix it. The wall actually gets hot to the touch on a 90 deg hot summer/fall afternoon with direct sun on the wall! The master bedroom and bath feel cold at times in the winter and while I’ve sealed all sources of drafts I suspect the north wall area by the tub and in back of the shower tile is not insulated well and the entire wall facing east is probably the same.

By: Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:46:32 +0000

I remember that big kerfuffle like it was yesterday. Hard to believe another 10 years have got behind us Allison.

I would like to think RESNET insulation installation grading has moved the installation quality bar somewhat on the whole. What are your thoughts/experiences?

By: David Coffey

David Coffey — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:25:02 +0000

In reply to Allison Bailes. How much I dislike "wet-blown" term. Slightly damp or how about "Spray Wall Cellulose" is much more like it. Wet and Wall in the same sentence? Ur still my Hero.

By: JC

JC — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:54:04 +0000

Tract builders would do themselves some good if they reduced the amount of wood in their framing.

Years ago I was looking at a $750k townhome in Atlanta and the “luxury” builder decided it was cheaper to use the vertically install seven 2x4s sandwiched together on an exterior wall. The builder also installed corner windows which required three to four sandwiched 2x4s on each side of the windows. I was so annoyed because out-of-towners from higher cost of living areas of the US were going to spend upwards of $1M on these units and either had no idea or didn’t care.

My fears were well founded as a couple of years later the builder was having to replace most of a west facing three-story brick façade. During construction I had noticed that the bricklayer was using so much mortar that almost every course was in contact with the WRB behind it (no 1″ air gap). I wonder if that was why it was being replaced.

By: Deniz Erkan

Deniz Erkan — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 02:57:27 +0000

Not a problem if you like puzzles and have all the time in the world 🙂

Another advantage: You can spraypaint over them, such as marking where the pipes and wires are buried

By: Deniz Erkan

Deniz Erkan — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:51:30 +0000

In reply to Amanda Uluhan. Yup Amanda, this entire blog is one big red pill for us homeowners sometimes ... But I choose red pill :)