Loose-fill insulation - where to get?

10-10-20 · 10-10-20

I have a deep, dark area of my attic which is tight, deep, dark, cold and a path between the pipes from the cold water tanks to the hotpress. Access is something I only want to do once...

I want to insulate the between the joists in this area and rockwool isn't really feasable as the joists are poorly aligned with noggins, wiring and pipes in the way.

I figure that loose-fill insulation would be the best solution here as it will enable me to fully fill the cavities and the extra 20% fill for settling will not be an issue.

Where can I get loose fill insulation in bags in Dublin? Cellulose would be preferable. I'm going to need enough for 15sqm @300mm.

ennisjim · 29-01-2008 9:38am

I used bags of cellulose-based insulation in similar situation. Bought them in Heavins Athlone. I think they may be part of Arro chain. There's a store finder at http://www.arro.ie/
Very easy to install. Just remember to fluff the compressed insulation up after removing from bag.

10-10-20 · 29-01-2008 9:42am

That's great, thanks for the response.
That's website is poor, they are still cellebrating Christmas on it...

Any idea about volume of insulation per bag when applied? Even a manufacturers name would be great!

Oddjobber · 09-02-2008 10:08pm

Not sure on the details of the insulation, but I'd recommend Derek in Heavins, he knows his stuff. I was on the website www.arro.ie, it looks a little better now. There's a map on how to find the store.

10-10-20 · 10-02-2008 10:15am

I was just in Arro yesterday - they don't stock it in their Build-Garden stores.

ULMarc · 17-11-2022 2:52pm

Hey all. Reviving this thread. I'm in the similar boat to OP and looking for loose fill insulation.

Does anyone know where it can be got these days? And what types are available?

10-10-20 · 17-11-2022 4:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119886090#Comment_119886090

Hi, this was the stuff which I used in the end.

https://www.ecocel.ie/cellulose-insulation/

It's not the easiest to install as it does need to be fluffed-up a fair bit and I was having to do this by secondary bagging-it and then shaking it vigorously. I'd go with multiple layers of 100mm glass-wool now instead, but it's still in situ and I am only this week contemplating topping it up with glass-wool. One thing to note is that it's not suitable for installing it right up to the eves (as it falls out), you would need to install glass-wool there to contain the cellulose and then fill inwards as normal.

Now that I think of it - I have a spare unopened bag of it if you're near Dublin and want to collect. PM me if so.

ULMarc · 17-11-2022 4:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119886439#Comment_119886439

It's not for the eaves in my case. It's a kind of awkward gap between a joist and a stud wall. Though, reading more about cellulose here it sounds like it needs to have open air for off-gassing whatever it's treated with during manufacture. Where I'm putting it will become enclosed so I'm still debating it's the right product for the job.

Thanks very much for the offer! I'm down by Limerick though so I'll pass. You might get the use out of it yet 😀

10-10-20 · 20-11-2022 2:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119886529#Comment_119886529

So I started topping up the cellulose insulation yesterday and I came across a joist which running horizontal to and 3cms away from a steel beam, probably not unlike what you're describing there. It won't take cellulose insulation as I want it to fall in and around the beam, so I'm opting for another loose-fill insulation for this job: vermiculite:

https://www.goodwins.ie/products/Vermiculite-V4-Coarse-100-Litre-Per-Bag-Micafill-.html?filter_set%5B%5D=1,1111,3029

Maybe it's the best option for you also?

There is supposed to be a medium size blend, but I have never located it in the shops.

ULMarc · 20-11-2022 7:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119897397#Comment_119897397

Thanks. Yeah. Vermiculite was put in our chimney to line the flue. I think it's used there because it expands when it's heated. I personally haven't heard it used as loft insulation. But looking it up here I do see it mentioned as an option. But I'll need to took into it more.

I asked the lads in our local yard about loose fill insulation. They mentioned they only had Vermiculite and said it's really only used for chimneys. But I'll need to look into it a bit more to know. I'll probably be cursing myself in a few years when I go to put a hole in the ceiling downstairs and I end up with all this insulation pouring down on me 🤣

10-10-20 · 20-11-2022 8:46pm

Vermiculite is thermally expanded "rock" and is pretty inert. There were issues with vermiculite dust containing asbestos in the past, but these have been eliminated by rejecting rock sources which contained asbestos, so it's considered safe now, but you're still recommended to wear as mask when installing it.

It is used for packing chimneys but equally can be used for insulation once the location is dry and not subject to excessive condensate or damp.

But yes, the prospect of a face-full of flakes during a future DIY project is a point to be pondered!!

Loose-fill insulation - where to get?

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