Type of Insulation?

**Rick Hurst** · 05-02-2008, 12:32 PM

What type of insulation is this? Having a senior moment here.

Anyone, anyone, Bueller?

Also check your pictures well. Embarrassed to say, I had not noticed that the flue pipe was separated till I got back to the office and scanned my pictures. I was more into the opening around the flue and the type of insulation at that moment. My bad.

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David Banks · 05-02-2008, 12:52 PM

Rick. I am not sure from pic but maybe Loose fill Balsom or Rock wool. Most of the Cellulose I see is white.

**Matt Fellman** · 05-02-2008, 01:04 PM

Are you sure that flue is split? It looks like it's at a twisting elbow which could explain the offset look.... just a thought.

**Jerry Peck** · 05-02-2008, 01:28 PM

I'm thinking cellulose - most of what I see is either that color or a dark gray color.

You didn't mention, but I'm sure you got, the insulation around the vent/flue. Looks like a nice insulation baffle around that vent/flue ... sure did keep the insulation in around it pretty darn good.

I don't see it separated either, looks like a fire stop support with a support ring around the vent/flue.

What the opening does do, though, is allow you to see that there are no supports holding that vent/flue (other than the fire stop with support collar). As I under it, each section needs to be supported???

Jim Zborowski · 05-02-2008, 03:01 PM

From the brown coler and texture, I'm thinking maybe Zonalite.

**Jim Luttrall** · 05-02-2008, 10:38 PM

Cellulose

**Michael Thomas** · 05-03-2008, 12:19 AM

Hard to tell at that resolution, but it looks most like cellulose, does NOT look like the Zonolite I see in my area. My first take was also that that’s an offset rather than a disconnected flue - again, hard to tell at this resolution. Also, is that lower portion single-wall pipe? In either case, is there sufficient clearance where it appears to penetrate the ceiling below?

BTW, this is why 1) I don’t do on-site reports and 2) I shoot lots of pics at full resolution (I realize the resolution in Rick’s photo is likely reduced for posting here).

Richard Rushing · 05-03-2008, 08:07 AM

No doubt in my mind that this is cellulose.

rich

**David J. Smith** · 05-04-2008, 12:23 PM

How about peat moss? Seen it in a few older homes here, have a picture somewhere, complete with the paper bags it came in.

**BARRY ADAIR** · 05-06-2008, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by David J. Smith

How about peat moss? Seen it in a few older homes here, have a picture somewhere, complete with the paper bags it came in.

David, thanks for the pic. I've looked for one to verify material for one of those "arguable deals" in the past.

It's not common around here but I've found this in at least 4 homes that I can recall.
It was fairly compacted and combustible, when "tested outside of the attic."

Don't assume that the chopped material is cellulose.
Most old and new cellulose that I run across is greyish not brown, but there may be some brown around.

I advised removal and replacement with new material.

**Mike Schulz** · 05-07-2008, 05:02 PM

cellulose

In older homes around here the stuff that is exposed turns brown but if you dig down a bit it should be grayish color. Some times you can see the print on some of the particles. Be a great puzzle.