what's the best insulation to put in walls? please read?

Question

i have an old home that has some pink loose insulation in the walls, can i put new insulation with the paper face over top of old stuff? thanks

Answer 1

You can put the new stuff in, but take the old stuff out first. The paper is to help hold the insulation in the wall with a stapler. You don't want to pack the insulation tight in the wall, because this will defeat the purpose of insulating. The insulation needs to be loose in the wall. The 3 1/2 inch is what most people install in the walls and 6 inch in the roof and floor unless you are in a really cold climate. Then you may add extra to the roof or floor. The walls is kind of hard to add extra to unless you make the walls out of 2x6 instead of 2x4 studs.

Answer 2

Insulation does not work as well when compressed. Does the old insulation fit the space. Has it been damaged by water or critters. If you are going to make the cavity thicker you should pull out the old and put in the correct R value for your area. But don't try to jam more than space allows. The entrapped air is part of the insulation properties.

Answer 3

I believe the best insulation is something called cellulose. Basically what it is, is shredded up newspaper that is blown into your walls. The R value is much higher than the regular pink insulation.

Answer 4

hay and straw. seriously. you would be surprised. look at some sites for eco friendly houses...its cheap and works better than most.