How to Choose and Use Insulation | This Old House

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the wide world of insulation. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)

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Up in the loft, Tom and Kevin discussed different types of exterior wall insulation and how they're installed, both for new construction and retrofit situations. The materials included liquid spray foam, recycled denim batts, fiberglass batts, blown-in fiberglass, and cellulose. Installation of vapor retarders over insulation was also discussed.

Shopping List for How to Choose and Use Insulation:
- notebook [amzn.to/2LnmzOb], pencil [amzn.to/2ZVftVe] and calculator, used to calculate and record insulation costs and quantities

Tools for How to Choose and Use Insulation:
- tape measure [amzn.to/2MXmOkN], for measuring room dimensions

Tom showed Kevin a variety of materials used for insulating exterior walls, including Fiberglass Batts (faced & un-faced), blown-in fiberglass and liquid foam (open & closed cell).

Manufacturers: CertainTeed Corp [certainteed.com/], Bonded Logic, Inc. [bondedlogic.com/]

Supplier: Kamco Supply Corp. of Boston [kamcoboston.com/]

Additional assistance provided by Anderson Insulation [andersoninsul.com/] (installers of several insulation types), Joseph Lstiburek, building scientist, Building Science Corp. [buildingscienceconsulting.com/]

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How to Choose and Use Insulation | This Old House
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