Comments on: Are You Confusing Insulation with Air Barriers?

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 22:01:50 +0000

I looked at the home page of
I looked at the home page of the 'un-named' insulation manufacturer that sent you the threatening letter. I was looking for their installation instructions. (I could never locate them.) The very first picture you see on their page is batt insulation installed incorrectly.

By: Jack Lofstrom

Jack Lofstrom — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 08:36:55 +0000

In reply to Nate Adams. I get involved in water
I get involved in water intrusion therefor mold, indoor air quality and occupants health issues. We can tighten the standards but the occupants who are living in these environments have to be educated before they become victims of their own doing. We can make the homes hospital clean but we are not educating the occupants on what is needed to maintain a health environment. It is not hard it is mainly common sense and some of the problems are not picked up by the medical or testing community since they are not experts in construction.

By: Rick Mancuso

Rick Mancuso — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 22:18:42 +0000

Thanks Allison, all good
Thanks Allison, all good points. Really enjoy your blog. BTW, is there any way for you to use larger images in your articles such that they can be clicked and expanded? It's very difficult to discern the details you mention when many of the photos are under 500px. Thanks again.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 23:58:00 +0000

In reply to David Butler. Thanks, David. When I first
Thanks, David. When I first started writing the article, I had meant to do that but then forgot. I've added one now.

By: David Butler

David Butler — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 23:45:12 +0000

For counterbalance, you
For counterbalance, you should include a photo of fiberglass done right, no?

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 20:31:53 +0000

In reply to John Proctor. That's the refrigerator vent,
That's the refrigerator vent, John. Surely they do that out in California, right? ;~) I took that photo in my in-laws' home. I was crawling around the attic and saw a big black spot in the insulation. When I pulled it back, that's the hole I saw. They'd had their kitchen redone a few years earlier and someone must have had the bright idea to cut a hole above the fridge to vent the heat from it into the attic. One of the stupidest holes I've ever seen.

By: John Proctor

John Proctor — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:37:43 +0000

Allison: I am having a hard
Allison: I am having a hard time determining what I am looking at in your second photo. Can you tell me what I am looking at (a wall, a chase, a duct)? Thank you John

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:12:50 +0000

In reply to Nate Adams. Yep. It's perfectly normal
Yep. It's perfectly normal for homeowners not to understand this, Nate, but contractors, designers, and home energy pros ought to know better.

By: Nate Adams

Nate Adams — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 19:07:26 +0000

Thanks, Allison. Most clients
Thanks, Allison. Most clients tell me initially that their houses are poorly insulated, when usually it's an issue of air leakage. It's fun to hear them quoting their blower door numbers at project completion... and to hear stories of how their house changed!