Who makes balsam wool insulation?
Wood Conversion was the assignee of a variety of patents describing the production of balsam wool and other wood fiber (and even animal hair) insulation products. The wood product insulating batts shown in these photos was produced by Weyerhaeuser corporation.
Is Balsam wool insect resistant?
Balsam wool, depending on the wood species used to produce it, may be naturally insect resistant (Balsam) as are cedar, cypress, and some other wood products. It might have been treated with a fire retardant, I don't yet know (am researching the question).
What is silvawool insulation?
The Silvawool trademark was fully registered in 1952. The company's literature (found by trademark search) described Silvawool as "... Silvawool is a product related to chemically impregnated wood fiber for use as insulation material. " Silvawool insulation is no longer in production.
How can you tell the difference between asbestos and balsam wool?
Matt most forensic labs can identify different types of insulation; but there is little or no physical resemblance between balsam wool and asbestos, nor was asbestos used as a brown fiber enclosed in batts, nor does asbestos resemble long woody fibers. Take a look at the insulation; Balsm wool is usually pretty easy to identify by eye.
Does Balsam wool have asbestos?
Does Balsam Wool Insulation Contain Asbestos? Balsam wool insulating blanket used wood fibers from tree bark, wood pulp, or other lumber byproducts. As such it is a wood or cellulose product and not an asbestos-containing material.
When was balsam wool insulation used?
"Balsam Wool" is a wood product or "cellulose" insulation that was widely used in homes in the U.S. in the 1940's and earlier. It is probably treated with borax as a fire retardant.
Does Kimsul insulation contain asbestos?
Kimsul, looks like layered creped paper and is impregnated with asphalt. It is not known to contain asbestos. It was manufactured from the early-mid 1930s through the early 1950s.
What is wood fiber insulation?
Wood fiber insulation is a safe, natural, and high performing alternative to many synthetic insulation options currently on the market. Wood is a renewable resource and a natural carbon sink.
What type of insulation was used in 1955?
Many homes built in the early 1950s often featured little in the way of wall insulation. However, when insulation was used, it usually consisted of a product called rock wool or stone (or slag) wool. Still in use today, it's made by melting down rock and sand and then spinning it together to make an insulating fiber.
Is there asbestos in Rockwool insulation?
Rock Wool Manufacturing Company Facts In 1988, the company added wrapped pipe insulation to its product line. Rock Wool still makes products for residential, industrial and commercial buildings as well as marine applications, none of which contains asbestos.
When was vermiculite insulation banned?
The vermiculite from Libby is part of the longest man-made environmental disaster in American history. It was mined there for more than 50 years, ending in 1990. The insulation, which was known by the brand name Zonolite, is most often found in residential attics.
How do I know if my pipes have asbestos insulation?
The best way to find out if there is asbestos in your ductwork or pipe wrapping is to hire a professional. Experts recommend using a laboratory or an environmental consultant, neither of whom will be financially motivated to offer pricey options if asbestos is determined to be present.
How do I know if its asbestos?
You can't tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. Only testing by a NATA accredited testing facility can determine if asbestos is present. If you're not sure if a product may contain asbestos, treat it as if it is asbestos and take all the appropriate precautions.
Is wood fibre insulation any good?
Although wood fibre is one of the more expensive materials to insulate a home with, the benefits outweigh the initial cost. It is breathable, adaptable and has the huge bonus of being a carbon neutral product. It may not cross every box, but it does contribute enormously to the green homes agenda.
Is wood wool a good insulator?
Insulating with wood wool is an ecological way of insulating. The material comes from sustainably managed forests and it is completely recyclable according to the 'cradle to cradle' principle. Wood wool has a high heat storage capacity, it is vapour permeable and it has good sound insulating properties as well.
Can you walk on wood fibre insulation?
Question: Can you walk on these boards if used in the loft? Answer: I would not recommend to walk on these boards at all, if you are looking to use something for a trafficable surface, I would recommend using an 18mm thick ply board, as that has the structural integrity to withstand being walked on.
Is balsam wool asbestos?
Balsam wool and Silva wool are shredded wood products, some treated with borax as a fire-retardant. They're considered natural products and also are not known to contain asbestos. Kimsul, looks like layered creped paper and is impregnated with asphalt. It is not known to contain asbestos.
Is rock wool an asbestos material?
Rock wool is not an asbestos material. Also if mineral wool or rock wool was produced at a facility that also handled asbestos there is a possibility of some cross-contamination between the materials.
Does rockwool contain asbestos?
Older forms of rockwool insulation are composed of fiberglass, mineral wool and could contain asbestos. Homes built after 1960 that contain rockwool insulation most likely do not have asbestos. Breathing in asbestos could possibly cause lung-restrictive illness and death.
When was balsam wool insulation installed?
What type of tape will stick to the insulation or is there another material that can be used. Otherwise the insulation which was installed around 1978 is in good shape.
What is balsam wool?
Kevin the article BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION opens with#N#"Balsam Wool" is a wood fiber product or "cellulose" insulation that was widely used in homes and in a variety of other applications in the U.S. from at least the 1930's.
What type of paper is used for fiberglass batts?
The paper used with fiberglass insulation is often just that, paper. The two common varities of facing for fiberglass batts are aluminum-foil faced paper or kraft paper that is more brown or tan in color. Often the fiberglass is bonded to the paper facing by asphalt or an equivalent adhesive.
What color are batts?
The batts have a plain light brown, thin paper front and solid black, thicker paper back. There are no markings/brands/labels of any kind. The side seam is black. The insulation is heavier than fiberglass and clumped and just falls right out, since the paper is now brittle. It is a tan color and short fibers.
Is balsam wool insulation easy to recognize?
Thanks for the added comment, Balsam. It's helpful to our readers. I agree that Balsam wool insulation is rather easy to recognize, as shown in the photos in the article BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION
Is balsam wool asbestos?
Balsam wool is a wood product, not asbestos. I think your balsam wool insulation, enclosed in a foil facing or reflective liner / barrier, is a Weyerhauser product. The product imprint includes "Reflective Liner Blanket Insulation and Double-Thick".
Is balsam wool insulation good?
Robin#N#What is the concern here? Balsam Wool insulation is a perfectly acceptable insulating material as long as it's in place and intact. Any insulation that is ripped, fallen, torn, dirty, or "missing" is of course something worth correcting.
adding to old insulation ('balsam wool')
We have a poorly insulated space behind the knee walls of the second floor in our cape cod home. Current insulation is foil-faced 1" Balsam-wool between the studs, stapled. Any idea what the R-vazlue of this stuff is?
Comments (5)
I think I have seen this type of insulation as a loose fill, is it a brown or tan color? Either way 1" is way insufficient. 1" inch will only give you a total R-Value of 2.2 or 3.4 if it's loose fill, or 3.25 if it's blankets or batts.
