Reuse: Denim Insulation
September 1, 2009 at 2:47 pm 2 comments
Ever thought of using denim jeans for building insulation? These folks have.
Typically, insulation is made from fibreglass. Fibreglass is exactly what is sounds like – tiny glass fibres. In an earlier post I discussed (at a high level) manfacture of glass. It’s not fabulous for the environment (although better than plastic in my opinion). I would definitely say blue jeans are better. They’re better for people and the environment. I like that the jeans are either old ones that would otherwise be discarded, or denim off-cuts from denim manufacturers. Considering cotton (which denim is made of) is such a water-intensive crop, however, is the best choice for the environment though?
If it was up to me, I’d go strawbale. The straw is just leftovers from grain crops, cheap, easy to construct and very effective.
An exterior truth window on a strawbale house, showing the straw inside. Photo from Paso Straw Bale Construction Blog.
Besides, strawbale* is pretty. I like it.
I wonder if the federal government would provide a rebate on building a strawbale house, under their insualtion scheme? Somehow, I doubt it. Hmm.
*Photo from Paso Straw Bale Construction Blog.
Entry filed under: Reuse. Tags: alternative usage, construction, cotton, glass, low impact, mining, Reuse, second-hand, strawbale, temperature control, water.
1.
Yankee Elv | September 2, 2009 at 3:56 am
Definitely strawbale and we are so having a fabulous looking window to show off the straw.
I hate fibreglass insulation – it stings like hell and makes me ITCH for hours and hours and hours after I’ve gotten some on me, even if I’ve showered and removed all traces of it. UGH.
2.
Aussie Elv | September 2, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I wonder if the tiny glass fibres get under your skin and that’s what makes you itch. That can happen you know. If it’s optical fibre, the diameter of the glass fibre is actually so small that if you don’t handle it carefully it can get into your skin and into your bloodstream. That can do all kinds of nasty things to you… and you can’t find it cos it’s glass and doesn’t show up on an x-ray. Luckily fibreglass fibres aren’t that small.
It hurts me that I know this stuff.
I just say ‘yay’ to strawbale. Yay!