Cotton Insulation

ENGR 308Mitch Friedman

Ashley Ragus

What is cotton insulation?

• Alternative to fiberglass insulation

- No itch! - No VOCs

• Requires no carcinogen warning labels

Image from Dave Eiermann Woodworking Bloghttp://blog.daveeiermann.com/2007/12/07/cotton-insulation-made-from-blue-jeans/

Where does it come from?

• Post-industrial scraps

• Post-consumer recycled denim

Image from the Global Denim Project, http://www.ucl.ac.uk/global-denim-project/

Reasons for product

• Alternative to traditional insulation types and methods

Images from Inhabitat blog http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/10/lets-talk-about-insulation-baby/

How is it made?• Shredded cotton• Formed into batts• Treatment: fire

retardant, fungicide, insect and rodent repellant

Image from http://www.strawsticksandbricks.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=31_57

Impacts

• Can be recycled or composted

• Requires less energy to make than traditional insulation

Cotton plant, from Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, http://www.djc.com

When should it be used?

• Superior acoustic barrier

• R-value range from R-13 – R-19

• In some climates, needs a vapor barrier

Image from Super Soundproofing Companyhttp://shop3.mailordercentral.com/supersoundproofing/products.asp?dept=24

Installation• Professional installation recommended• Safe to install, no gloves or mask required

Image from http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-Ultra-Touch-recycled-cotton-denim-ins/

Where can I buy it?

• Bonded Logic – UltraTouch most popular on the market

• EcoBlue – Recycling program