mgbinspect Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I see this insulation, now and then in the attics of old homes. This home is 1942. I've alway assumed it's cellulose, but would hate to be wrong. Anyone got a bead on this stuff? I know it's not vermiculite or fiberglass. I'd like to finally nail this one down for my future reports. [:-magnify Click to Enlarge 46.4 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I've always thougt that was rock wool, but I may be wrong. I'm sure Les will know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 balsam wool tree bark brown stuff sometimes found mixed with mineral wool or slag not very tasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Thanks Les. I've always wondered - odd looking stuff. Now I can add it to my drop-down menu for insulations. But, that has me wondering, is it flammable, Les? Or, has it been treated with some lovely, now known to be nuclear or carcinegenic flame retardant meterial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Nearly all the materials I have tested have had traces of borate. Some I have "Jim Katen field tested" actually did support combustion. Either not treated or leached out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Bless you kind sir... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 balsam wool tree bark brown stuff sometimes found mixed with mineral wool or slag not very tasty Is it correct then to call it "cellulose"? I think so. The reddish-brown shredded wood, I call "shredded wood", as it appears to be less thoroughly processed than what I've been calling "cellulose". I sometimes see "sawdust" that looks like it came straight from the mill. That stuff will burn, I'm sure. What I call "Rock wool" would be predominantly mineral based, and looks like gray fiberglass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 balsam wool tree bark brown stuff sometimes found mixed with mineral wool or slag not very tasty Is it correct then to call it "cellulose"? I think so. The reddish-brown shredded wood, I call "shredded wood", as it appears to be less thoroughly processed than what I've been calling "cellulose". I sometimes see "sawdust" that looks like it came straight from the mill. That stuff will burn, I'm sure. What I call "Rock wool" would be predominantly mineral based, and looks like gray fiberglass. But, Balsam Wool has such a nice ring to it -kinda like the difference between a statin and Lipitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 balsam wool tree bark brown stuff sometimes found mixed with mineral wool or slag not very tasty Yes, John has Rockwool right. It's rather like shredded angel hair that has a lot of gray in it, as if it's been used to polish silver. It always looks exactly the same. But, then I realize that you'd have to be an old fart to know what angel hair is. I could go on to explain how it was the fine white stuff that was on the angel on the tip top of your Christmas tree when you were a kid, but still you'd have to be an old fart. So, I may not be able to help you, Mark, unless of course you already happen to be an old fart. [:-tophat] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 It's a wood fiber insulation, but it's neither Balsam Wool or Silva Wool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Yes, John has Rockwool right. It's rather like shredded angel hair that has a lot of gray in it, as if it's been used to polish silver. It always looks exactly the same. But, then I realize that you'd have to be an old fart to know what angel hair is. I could go on to explain how it was the fine white stuff that was on the angel on the tip top of your Christmas tree when you were a kid, but still you'd have to be an old fart. So, I may not be able to help you, Mark, unless of course you already happen to be an old fart. [:-tophat] Anybody put the fake snow on Christmas trees in the 50s and 60s? It was a mix of mica and asbestos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Yes, John has Rockwool right. It's rather like shredded angel hair that has a lot of gray in it, as if it's been used to polish silver. It always looks exactly the same. But, then I realize that you'd have to be an old fart to know what angel hair is. I could go on to explain how it was the fine white stuff that was on the angel on the tip top of your Christmas tree when you were a kid, but still you'd have to be an old fart. So, I may not be able to help you, Mark, unless of course you already happen to be an old fart. [:-tophat] Anybody put the fake snow on tChristmas trees in the 50s and 60s? It was a mix of mica and asbestos! Nice! I'm doomed... As far as my drop-down menu goes, maybe I could have a statement that says, "Your guess is as good as mine, but whatever it is, there's not enough of it. And, since it probably contains something bad for you, it's best to add more insulation." [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted April 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 That can be a decaying wood. It will always depend on the texture. Better ask an expert about it so that you will be sure. I didn't gather it from an obscure location. It was installed uniformly throughout the attic as an insulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted April 25, 2011 Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 That can be a decaying wood. It will always depend on the texture. Better ask an expert about it so that you will be sure. If an inspector can't tell the difference between insulation and, "a decaying wood" then he best find another job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrid Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 That can be a decaying wood. It will always depend on the texture. Better ask an expert about it so that you will be sure. If an inspector can't tell the difference between insulation and, "a decaying wood" then he best find another job. I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like someone that likes to cry wolf and get people all excited due to lack of knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 That can be a decaying wood. It will always depend on the texture. Better ask an expert about it so that you will be sure. If an inspector can't tell the difference between insulation and, "a decaying wood" then he best find another job. I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like someone that likes to cry wolf and get people all excited due to lack of knowledge. Did I come in with guns ablazin as bad as this one? Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Hee, hee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 Dear Marc, Yes. You are still the champion. Sincerely Yours, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 Marc, you're OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 Well, for a moment Les had me thinking I was in possession of a title. Everyone else has a title. I'll live. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 Well, for a moment Les had me thinking I was in possession of a title. Everyone else has a title. I'll live. Marc Mr Decaying Wood deleted his post and went away. You have done neither. How about "Swamp Thing" for a title? [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrid Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 That can be a decaying wood. It will always depend on the texture. Better ask an expert about it so that you will be sure. If an inspector can't tell the difference between insulation and, "a decaying wood" then he best find another job. I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like someone that likes to cry wolf and get people all excited due to lack of knowledge. Did I come in with guns ablazin as bad as this one? Marc Apologies and Mea Culpa . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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