July 29 2008
Cotton Insulation
A natural fiber that is gaining popularity for being used as insulation is cotton. Cotton fibers resulting from post industrial waste found at blue jean factories are bound together and formed into batts for installation in stud cavities, floor frames and in ceilings. This simple yet effective insulation provides many advantages to homeowners and the environment.
The material used to form cotton insulation is from the cutting room floors of blue jean factories, not from old previously worn pants, skirts or jackets. The scraps of cotton are pulled apart by machines that free up the individual fibers. Think of the pair of jeans you own that have frayed at the hem or cuff. This is the best analogy of what the cotton fibers resemble after passing through this machine. The cotton fibers are then saturated in a fireproofing solution, dried and mixed with polyolefin fibers. Once heated, the melting polyolefin fibers form the “glue” that holds the insulation together.
Boric acid is used as the fireproofing solution. Borates also help to keep insects out of the insulation. According to Bonded Logic, Inc., one of the manufacturers of cotton insulation, there are no harmful chemicals or irritants used in production and therefore no off gassing issues are present.
Cotton insulation comes unfaced. A vapor barrier must be installed separately. Installation is easy. The batts can be cut with a toothless knife or a motorized foam cutter. The product is soft to the touch and does not present a skin irritation issue. Batts are available in 16" and 24" widths for easy placement into standard framing.
A value of R-3.7 per inch makes cotton insulation attain R-13 in a 2 x 4 wall frame, and R-19 in a 2 x 6 thickness.
Environmental organizations and the green building industry are giving cotton insulation favorable reviews. The use of post industrial waste, naturally occurring fire and pest control and its very low toxicity make cotton insulation a choice worth considering for your next construction project.
Source: Reed Construction Data
