Styrofoam Peanuts For Attic Insulation

The panels provide a continuous energy efficient surface.

Styrofoam peanuts for attic insulation.

The beads are heated and. Consider using spray foam insulation as well to seal smaller cracks and gaps. But the problem with using packing peanuts for attic insulation is that while the individual peanuts may have an r value of about 4 0 per inch the peanuts have large air spaces between them which allows air currents to easily flow through a layer of packing peanuts. The lower the value the less the material prevents heat from escaping or infiltrating through the material.

It comes in standard size 4 8 sheets and smaller sizes in many different thicknesses from 1 4 inch to 2 inches. Board can be combined with other modern types of insulation in order to increase the amount of protection in an attic. This eliminates thermal bridging which is the energy lost through wall studs. R value refers to the relative heat transfer of a material.

Polystyrene can be fashioned into various items including shipping materials such as packing peanuts and coffee cups as well as sheets of foam board insulation. Insulating boards are just one of the many types of foam insulation. The r value of polystyrene is about 4 0 per inch. Most packing peanuts are made of polystyrene.

Insulating an attic usually means you have a lot of room for insulation and you will need high r value so that is why the cheaper options are more popular blown cellulose or blown fiberglass. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available but they may need to be special ordered. Plastic peanuts hold air that helps cushion whatever is being shipped. Can i use plastic shipping peanuts for insulation in the walls of my 1879 balloon framed house.

Those packing peanuts are not styrofoam but rather polystyrene foam. That styrofoam insulation will work but it is not cheap per r value however it gives you a great r value per inch. Osborn a former associate editor replies. Meps also called beadboard is made by pouring loose polystyrene beads into a container.

Meps is a rigid board formed by molding polystyrene into boards. Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great diy way to add some insulation.