[greenbuild] Re: cotton insulation, wood treatments, durablock

From: guillermo metz <gmo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: greenbuild@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 16:00:13 -0400

I just looked into cotton batting ... Robinson Lumber in Elmira (not their
store in Odessa) has something like 60 rolls of it. It's pricey but I can't
recall how pricey (enough to scare me away but all I was intending on using it
for is sound insulation). You may want to hurry?apparently it's been a poor
seller and when these rolls are gone they're not planning on getting more.

As far as durablock, there are several such things, usually used behind tubs
and showers (that's the application most people are familiar with in case you
ask at your local shop). There are some that are made for exterior
applications as well, and in that subgroup, some that need to be painted and
some that don't (but in general these exterior ones are much harder to find).
Kelmar Construction (Ithaca, in the inlet next to the Haunt) has, I think, the
best selection of such things in this area (and they're pretty helpful). The
boards are usually thin (1/2" or so) and come in various sizes (3'x5' is
common). They're heavy and somewhat fragile but pretty easy to work with.

Good luck.
-Guillermo

Michael Burns wrote:

> Does anyone have any experience with cotton insulation?
>
> I am planning to insulate my new home with blown-in recycled celluse
> insulation, but would like to consider other non-toxic possibilities, in
> particular cotton. Does anyone have any information about where cotton
> insulation can be purchased?
>
> I also have alot of wood that I would like to treat and wonder about what
> non-toxic treatments are avaliable.
>
> Also, I am considering using "durablock" which is essentially like drywall
> but made out of concrete in smaller panels for the inside, south facing
> walls of my new house. I'm thinking these would absorb more heat from my
> southside windows and woodstove than drywall. Is this stuff difficult to
> work with? Is it hard to finish nicely? Too expensive? Am I crazy?
>
> If anyone has any company names, ph #s, web sites, etc. that offer
> information or products I would be very appreciative of your help.
>
> By the way, I am building a 1000 square foot, two story home, with the
> northside earth-bermed, the southside w/ plenty of glass, and using
> passive solar and wood to heat the house. The house is being built with 8"
> and 10' walls to be filled with cellulose or some other ecologically
> sane insulation. I am using a standard construction grade Pine with
> the exception of a few choice applications where I've used white oak (rot
> resistant) and custom-milled lumber (ceiling joists). The roof is metal.
> Electric will come from PV modules in a system being designed by Julie and
> Benj of Wood, Wind and Sun, Inc. I could go on-and-on describing the design
> features but can sum up the design as outwardly conventional-looking
> (sort of...) with components systems chosen with a priority for natural
> materials and energy conservation.
>
> I am hoping and praying that I'll be in the house by the
> first snowfall 'cause nights are getting cold, especially at my
> elevation (1,350).
>
> Likewise I miss the intellectual stimulation and sharing many of us
> enjoyed during last year's Sustainable Ithaca series and hope something
> like it may occur again. Also, I miss attending the Natural Builders
> Group's meetings and look forward to the day when my home is completed
> enough to allow time to attend once again, or even host a meeting!
>
>  ### burns@xxxxxxxxx ###

References:
- [greenbuild] cotton insulation, wood treatments, durablock
  - From: Michael Burns

[greenbuild] Re: cotton insulation, wood treatments, durablock

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