The attic was initially insulated with with two "layers" of stuff. The old layer is vermiculite and then over that, probably installed in the 60's is a layer of shredded condensed Fiberglas. It's really messy stuff (both layers) and the R-value of the composition was calculated to be between 12 and 18. I wanted to add additional R-value while also encapsulating these two layers to limit dust and debris in the attic.
For the insulation, we chose Ultra-Touch, a recycled cotton product. We chose this because we wanted a sustainable option: something that was recycled and as "inert" as possible. We purchased the insulation at the local sustainable building supply store, Greenmaker. This was my first trip there and I am both excited and impressed that we have such a resource at such a relatively close distance from our home. 
I enlisted the help of my friend Steve for the job and we quickly laid down the blanket of new insulation. We didn't have much "thinking" to do for this project and just laid the insulation from wall to wall in the attic. Our ventilation at the eave is already above our attic walls so we didn't even have to worry about blocking these areas.
One note: if you are considering this option, the bundles of insulation are considerably larger than the rolls of Fiberglas you might get at the hardware store. We took two trips and had to use a large vehicle for transport. Also, getting them into the attic would have been pretty much impossible in a house as tiny as ours so we had to cut the stuff open in the living room. It was a little messy but not a big deal.
The result of this work (though it looks neater up there) remains to be seen. I'll have to figure out how to represent an energy audit of the house this winter to observe the effects.
3 comments:
Oh, I have to do the same project and am so dreading it (the PO tossed down stuff but had the vapor barrier on top, so it is a now disgusting, ineffective mess). I was interested in the insulation you chose. Presumably no itching or need for a mask? Also, does the stuff you chose have a vapor barrier?
This stuff does not have a vapor barrier and given that I am installing it in an open roof area, I am not too concerned about that. If I were installing it tight to the structure, with little or no air movement, I may be more concerned. Also, the only messy part of doing this was that the substrate insulation(s) were loose so we had to be careful not to push around too much dust when dropping and moving the new batts so little or no protection or precaution was needed.
Looks good! The PO's in my house put in SO MUCH loose fill insulation i the attic that it will be decades before it all settles. We're lucky here!
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