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Aside from the fact that it isn't legal insulation, if something does happen to your home, the fake insulation will allow the insurance company from having to pay you a cent.
That's a good point. There would be no insurance coverage and pay out in the event of damages.
You can insulate tents, building walls, and other shelters with plastic bags. When using plastic bags for insulation, always remember to allow adequate ventilation. Moisture can build up faster than you realize because the plastic will cut off all airflow.
Condensation from all that water can easily rot wood or collect in other places where it can cause all kinds of problems. For example, if you decide to insulate the walls of your house with plastic bags, they will do a fine job of reducing the effects of hot and cold temperatures. On the other hand, as condensation builds up in the walls, it can easily build up on electric cables and cause them to corrode.
The R value of plastic bags is 9.5
To compare fiberglass or spray foam R values are 3-6 https://www.survivopedia.com/10-ways...shopping-bags/
For the record, Bob and I use our backpacks to carry the groceries back home. Anyway, we were recently offered a bevy of used plastic grocery bags for free. After careful thought as to what we could use them for?? Bob, decided we'll take them and we have decided to insulate some our walls with them. Your thoughts?
Thank you!
You can weave doormats from them, baskets, bed rolls for homeless? Perhaps?
Honestly, just place them into stores collection bins- they will be better utilized commercially
Please, don’t put them in your walls- mold, rodents and insects disaster is waiting to happen
It is a poor and dangerous choice as “insulationâ€
Just don’t do it, don’t trash your house
There is a little more (meaning a LOT) to making a functional and well-insulated wall than some of the discussion, here.
Not trying to debate anything here, but not everything discussed above really works like all this. An exterior wall does a minimum of several things -- (in regards to Insulation, Heating, and Cooling).
+ Keeps you dry (keeps water out),
+ Keeps air in or out,
+ Keeps water vapor in or out, and
+ Does not have "Thermal Bridging" (solid materials, but conducts thermally -- like steel, or wood, all the way from the other side (out or in) to conduct Heat or Cold out or in.
And the more functional purposes of a Wall or Roof/Ceiling:
(I call this part The Three Little Pigs)
+ Does Not Fall Down (think Earthquakes and Structure Load)
+ Does Not Blow Down (think Hurricanes and Tornadoes)
+ Does Not Burn Down (think of the recent fires in California and Colorado -- taking out entire neighborhoods)
+ Does Not Flood (Location and Construction)
IF your wall and building can do EVERYTHING on the Second List, and keeps you dry, and warm or cool per the First List -- you have a pretty good wall.
I think your plastic bag model may fail due to the "Does Not Burn Down" part on the Second List?
If you want some Very Educational -- but "Lite" and Fun review of this -- maybe try the first 10 minutes of this video. If you find that useful -- maybe watch the whole thing . . . .
Plastic bags could be used as a temporary insulator in an emergency survival situation, but they oxidize and degrade over time and probably would become ineffective within a year.
They would make a great sleeping bag for Bob and socks for you if you guys ever get lost in the woods.
Thanks for all the tips and links.
I read through them all.
We are going for it!
Bob has the 6' ladder out and he is cutting 12 " rectangles out at the top of the wall. ( Plaster and lathe ) We are using bamboo whips to lightly push the bags down and fill the void.
Thanks Again and Happy 2022!
Thanks for all the tips and links.
I read through them all.
We are going for it!
Bob has the 6' ladder out and he is cutting 12 " rectangles out at the top of the wall. ( Plaster and lathe ) We are using bamboo whips to lightly push the bags down and fill the void.
Thanks Again and Happy 2022!
hmm, i think most of the posts suggested NOT to do this. Simply something them in your walls in the way you are doing this will give you hardly any added insulation and only added safety hazard.
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