HOW TO MAKE AND INSTALL YOUR OWN INSULATION...FOR 5? OR LESS A SQUARE FOOT!

(Page 5 of 5)

November/December 1977
 
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The idea seems to have merit and our propane torch tests indicate that approximately another one cent in chemical costs can be shaved off every square foot of 6"-thick attic insulation with no reduction in fireproofing value when this method of distributing the borax and aluminum sulfate is used. That increases the saving on the cellulose fiber's installation cost for 1,300-square-foot house from $253.50 to $266.50. Not a great additional saving, to be sure, but one that you should know about.

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INSTALLATION

MOTHER's homemade cellulose proved just as easy—no more and no lessto install as its commercially available counterpart. It's extremely easy to pour and spread around between the joists and other structures of an attic. And it's just as easy to add even more later, anytime you wish.

Putting the insulation into walls and other closed spaces is somewhat more difficult. This usually requires that a series of holes be drilled through a house's exterior siding (or that some of the siding actually be removed) so the material can be forced into the cavities with an insulation blower. Building supply stores sometimes have these blowers for rent ... and some clever do-it-yourselfers have actually forced their cellulose into walls with a hose attached to the exhaust end of a heavyduty vacuum cleaner.

One final point: Any cellulose insulation—whether of the store-bought or I-made-it-myself variety-will absorb moisture when exposed to dampness of any kind. This, of course, reduces the material's "R" value ... and cellulose fibers should be used to insulate only those attics, walls, crawl spaces, etc., that you know will remain dry.

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  • Chad 9/16/2009 12:47:53 PM

    At home depot here in central va
    $10 for 40 sq ft @1 inch

    You can rent the machine to blow it in for about $40 a day I beleive.

    Jorge. I would suggest using fiberglass with the wire peices to hold it up if it is exposed. If you want to nail board or sheetrocks up you could use cellulose if you feed or blow it ontop from one end but that is still sketchy because cellulose just falls toward gravity, down.
    You might even consider foam as a ceiling that prevents heat loss through the beams. Cellulose does however work great around a tub if you seal any holes suceptible gravity (great stuff works well for this). I am not sure if it is a bad VOC but it has saved me tons of time and energy.

  • Jorge Binder 6/3/2009 3:02:05 PM

    Wonderful idea! But, is it possible to insulate the roof of a basement? I have a wooden floor and it's separated of the basement by just the wood and the structure. Can I insulate the floor with cellulose? or it would fall off ?

    Jorge B.

  • Mike Miller 4/26/2009 6:34:45 PM

    where would somebody find the alum and borax for those prices?

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