Fiberglass batts and kids - best practices

[Deleted User]

I need to insulate joist bays in a radiant staple-up application from the basement...which happens to also be a kid's playroom. Is there 'best practices' for controlling the fiberglass fibers? Should I remove all toys, cover the furniture, etc? After the job is done, would a wipe down and vaccuum suffice? Should I not use fiberglass? I'm assuming the fibers released from handling and positioning the batts are a risk.

many thanks, jd

Mitch_4

I have never

used fiberglass. I use a product called ROXUL. no itch, no mess, fire proof, sound prrofing, and can cut with a steak knife.

Aidan (UK)

fibreglass batts


The fibres are not a known health risk, as is asbestos, but they are an irritant. Current Uk practice is to have no unsealed fibres. You can get aluminium foil faced batts which would encapsulate the fibres.

I once had a job in a building which had fan-coil units in the loft space. The insulation was glass-fibre blanket nailed to the ceiling joists with netting supporting it. The bearings on the fans failed, probably due to the fibres they had sucked in. I'd prefer not to inhale them.

ChasMan

Roxul.

Roxul is hard to get where I am. I used when I lived in Toronto though, it was a a vastly superior product to regular fiberglass. In Connecticut, you can have pink or white. Take your pick. I choose white every time. Its much less itchy and it forms better. In a dry installation like an interior ceiling, Id be tempted to go for that recycled blue jean stuff myself.

mark ransley

Get the fiberglass batts that are already wrapped completely in plastic

Jim Franklin

These are fibers of glass. Why would anyone think they are ok in lungs?

Remove everything from the room. Cover rugs and other porous surfaces with disposable plastic. Vacuum with an appropriate filter and wipe down when you're done.

jim

[Deleted User]

thanks everyone.

I can't find ROXUL anywhere. Bonded Logic makes insulation from jeans, but is very expensive. I'll look into the pre-wrapped option, too.