How to Insulate With Denim

What do you think of the idea of insulating your new home or addition with old blue jeans? No, it's not a joke. Denim insulation, friendly to both people and the environment, has been available for a quite a while, but now is gaining popularity. It's manufactured from blue jean remnants or recycled cotton material.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 6-mil plastic sheets
• Denim/cotton insulation (batts)
• Construction adhesive
• Construction stapler
• Framing lumber

Denim Insulation

1. Making insulation from cotton (rather than fiberglass) originally used virgin cotton, so it wasn't cost effective or very environmentally friendly.

2. Manufacturing denim insulation now uses mainly denim remnants that are cleaned, cut into strips and then imprinted with a fire retardant (boric acid). Denim that used to go into landfills now goes into people's homes as insulation.

3. Denim insulation is available as rolls or batts suitable for use in 2x4 or 2x6 framing. (It's also available in loose form and can be used as blown insulation). It has an R-value (insulation or thermal resistance value) of about 3.4 per inch (similar to fiberglass).

Insulating with Denim

1. Installing denim insulation follows the same process as insulating with fiberglass, but it's more environmentally friendly.

2. Frame your walls to standard dimensions (16" on center or 24" on center) using 2x4 or 2x6's for your framing lumber. Install your wiring and rough plumbing through the framing.

3. Fit the denim insulation into the gaps between the studs; the batts are designed to be held in place by just a press fit in between the studs. Be sure to fit insulation in behind the wires and the pipes. Don't overfill the cavity with insulation (use the correct sized batt for your framing).

4. Spread a bead on construction adhesive along the edges of your framed wall (on what will be the warm side of the wall).

5. Place a plastic (6 mil) vapor barrier over the framing, covering the insulation and press the plastic firmly into the adhesive, stapling it every 6 inches of so. Be sure to overlap the plastic sheets at the seams.

6. Cut the plastic around switch boxes and outlet boxes so you have access to install the receptacles and switches.

Tips & Warnings

• Denim insulation has a number of unique characteristics. There is no formaldehyde used in its manufacture, it cannot cause carcinogenic respiratory problems and in keeping with environmental sustainability, it is recyclable.

• Cotton/denim batts can theoretically absorb volatile organic compounds (VOC's). However, if the insulation is properly covered with a vapor barrier, the VOC's won't be able to enter the insulation.

• The down side to using cotton/denim insulation is a price premium of 15 to 20% more than fiberglass.