Balsam wool insulation questins & answers.

This article series illustrates and describes balsam wool and wood product insulation materials. We discuss the properties of balsam wool, what it is made from, its fire resistance, insect resistance, insulation properties (R-value).

Balsam Wool Insulation Properties, Composition, History, Photos, Tests

These questions and answers about balsam wool building insulation were posted originally at BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION - please review that article.

On 2019-12-05 by (mod) - photo identifies Balsam Wool Insulation

Anna:

thanks for the sharper photos - I accidentally deleted your next-to-last one but the one below is sufficient: and sharp;

That's balsam wool insulation.

On 2019-12-05 by Anna

One more try — I got as close as I could. Also this is in my basement not the attic. Thank you kindly for your patience and input!

On 2019-12-02 by (mod) -

Not such sharp focus but probably sufficient to guess that what you're showing is balsam wool = wood fibre insulation - in a black kraft paper wrapper. Damaged a bit, yes. And stuffed into the eaves so that there's no under-roof venting even if there were soffit and ridge vents.

On 2019-12-02 by Anna

Here is another photo — hope that works better!

On 2019-12-01 by (mod) -

Anna

I'm so sorry but I just can't see clearly enough in your photo what it is that is present. Hops we could have a sharper photo with better lighting.

On 2019-12-01 by Anna

I am trying to decide if the insulation in my basement walls is Balsam wool or something else. I am primarily concerned if it contains any asbestos before it is removed. My house is from 1921 but this part of the basement might have been dug out at a later date.

On 2019-07-03 by (mod) -

You can do that as long as you stick with unfaced insulation

On 2019-06-19 by Larry

I have the 1 inch Balsam-Wool 2 sided blanket insulation on my attic floor. It is in excellent condition. The home was built in 1958. Can I just lay new 6 inch fiberglass batts (paper free) right on top of the existing balsam wool insulation? That would give me about a R-21 value.Remember the older balsam wool insulation has 2 sides of a paper backing.

On 2019-06-02 by (mod) -

The insulation is generally Queen I don't know why you wouldn't just insulate over it. If it's filled with insects or rodents droppings or needs to be removed to find a mode reservoir on the ceiling below with those are the areas worth exploring and possibly cleaning.

On 2019-05-31 .971091 by Barry

I have this balsam wool stuff in my attic of a house built in 1945, Can I just blow new insulation over it or should I remove it first?

Thanks

On 2019-03-26 by (mod) -

Thank you for the excellent Kimsul insulation crepe paper facing photo, Frank. I will include it in the article BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION

at https://inspectapedia.com/insulation/Balsam_Wool_Insulation.php#Kimsul_Insulation

for the benefit of other readers.

On 2019-03-26 by Frank W

Open up the inside of my roof to have insulation work done and found Kimsul Insulation crepe paper stitched type. Found it very interesting. I’ve never heard of this insulation.

On 2019-01-06 by (mod) -

Robin

What is the concern here? Balsam Wool insulation is a perfectly acceptable insulating material as long as it's in place and intact. Any insulation that is ripped, fallen, torn, dirty, or "missing" is of course something worth correcting.

On 2019-01-03 by Robin

What if I come across this institution in my home? And ceiling tile? Why didn't my home 2 home inspection companies reveal this to us before we moved into a FSA H.U.D home? What can I do about this now?

On 2018-10-22 by (mod) - Balsam Wool in a Reflective Liner (foil faced) Double Thick Blanket Insulation

Glenn

Balsam wool is a wood product, not asbestos.

I think your balsam wool insulation, enclosed in a foil facing or reflective liner / barrier, is a Weyerhaeuser product.

The product imprint includes "Reflective Liner Blanket Insulation and Double-Thick".

On 2018-10-21 by Glenn

My house was built in 1960. Attached is a pic of the Balsam Wool installed. Can you tell me if it contains asbestos?

On 2018-08-15 by (mod) - don't confuse fiberglass with balsam wool

Thank you for the offer Jodi, but from what I can see in your photo that's a fiberglass or mineral fiber insulation, not a wood or cellulose or "balsam wool" product.

As you say it's heavier than fiberglass, it's probably mineral wool or rock wool - search InspectApedia.com for that phrase to see details.

But to me your photo looks like kraft faced fiberglass insulation. Some of the dark areas may be deposits of house dust due to air leaks.

On 2018-08-15 by jodibaldwin

I am gutting a c. 1947 bathroom and found some old insulation. Based on this page, it looks most like the Blackweld pictured

at BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION.

You wrote that you were looking to do an analysis on a sample, so I saved some, if you want me to send it over, LMK where to! I've attached a picture.

The batts have a plain light brown, thin paper front and solid black, thicker paper back. There are no markings/brands/labels of any kind.

The side seam is black. The insulation is heavier than fiberglass and clumped and just falls right out, since the paper is now brittle. It is a tan color and short fibers. I have other pictures I can send in if you'd like. It only is allowing me to attach one... Thanks! Jodi

On 2018-08-04 by Kevin Canty

Hi Dan,
I see all my duplicate posts came through......sorry!

The 2 different photos are from the same area. Should be the same stuff. Maybe moisture discoloration of one vs the other? Either way, just to confirm.......both of these photos are not consistent with something that contains asbestos.....correct?
I appreciate your patience and understanding.......Kevin

On 2018-08-04 by (mod) -

Kevin the article BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION opens with

"Balsam Wool" is a wood fiber product or "cellulose" insulation that was widely used in homes and in a variety of other applications in the U.S. from at least the 1930's.

Synonyms for balsam wool insulation include wood fiber insulation, wood insulation, wood-wool insulation, and blackweld or blackwell insulation.

your photo is definitely balsam wool insulation.

Read BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION - to see what this material is - and is not.

Do let me know if questions remain

On 2018-08-04 by Kevin Canty

Dan,
Here's the other pic
Thanks

Dan,
Please forgive me if you get duplicates. It looked like my messages weren't going through.

Kevin

Dan, any chance of vermiculite or any other asbestos containing material? If so, what could it be? Would you have it tested, or are you that confident it isn't? Great site! Very informative! Could you please tell me your experience and/or background in the industry? Tha nk you very much :)
Kevin

Hi Again Dan,
Thanks for the response. Here's another view. Any chance of vermiculite or any other asbestos containing material? If so, what might it be? Think its necessary to test it for asbestos?
The site is great and very informative. I might have missed it, but could you please tell me what your experience/background is with this industry? Thanks a lot Dan

Do you think there is any asbestos in it at all?
Should I have it tested?
Any chance it's vermiculite or any other asbestos containing material? I will try to attach a different view......thanks

On 2018-08-03 by (mod) -

No that's not balsam wool, Kevin. It looks very much like cellulose insulation - a product made from paper.

See this ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING INSULATION to find our articles about cellulose insulation as well as insulation identification.

On 2018-08-03 by Kevin Canty

Hi,
Could you please tell me if this [photo above] looks like balsam wool? Or, does it appear to be something that may have asbestos?
I will be confirming with testing either way.

Thanks, Kevin

On 2017-12-25 by (mod) - Found a loose fill wood product in the attic of a home built near Seattle in 1930

Pat,

Let's start with attaching photos of the insulation in place, sharp focus closeups, and photos of any wrapping paper and markings on the insulation.

Most-likley you're seeing balsam wool insulation if it looks like the material on this page. Use the tiny picture-frame icon next to the Comment button below the Comments box to attach a photo to a comment.

On 2017-12-25 by Pat Tallon

Found a loose fill wood product in the attic of a home built near Seattle in 1930. Insulation companies ( generally clueless), are afraid it’s asbestos and insist on a abatement company removing it before they insulate.

The insulation is just like the fibers pictured in the above reader comment. It is loose with no sign of any backing. Can you identify it for me and save me a $10,000 abatement service? Thanks

On 2017-10-04 by Anonymous

Was brown asbestos wall insulation made in batts or rolls attached to strings(stitched) and paper backed? Seems like description of old Kimsul, almost a peat moss/cellulose appearance.

On 2017-04-05 by Arthur

Daniel I sent you more pics

On 2017-04-04 by (mod) -

I've looked and replied

On 2017-04-04 by Arthur

Daniel I just sent you an email from d127769@aol.com containing pics that you requested. I also sent you the sample that you wanted. Arthur

On 2017-04-03 by (mod) -

Thanks Arthur,
I'd like to see

- photos of the insulation facing and any markings or printing

- sharp photos of closeup looks at the insulation

- about 3 cubic inches of insulating material

- you can find our email and thus mailing address at the page top or bottom CONTACT link

I'll examine and photo-document the insulation in our forensic lab and will of course show you the results.

Daniel

On 2017-04-03 by Arthur

I might have a sample of what you think is Blackwell insulation batte similar to the one in the photo which home inspector Stephen Shockley of 1940's vintage insulation. You mentioned you would like a sample. I will be happy to send you a sample they are about three feet long. I was wondering if it could be asbestos

On 2017-02-24 by (mod) -

GG use the page top little "menu" to find our CONTACT link to send photos for comment.

Balsam Wool was not normally used as a loose-fill insulation. Whether or not any old (non-asbestos) insulation needs to be removed before blowing in new mateiral depends on building conditions: leaks, wet areas, mold, rodent contamination, would be examples of why one would remove old insulation.

On 2017-02-24 by GG

I have a photo, but I don't see where to upload it here.

I have a house but in the 40's in Oklahoma. The article insulation is loose fill and loose like Balsam wool. Is there any need to remove it to blow fiberglass?

On 2017-02-15 by (mod) -

Thanks for the added comment, Balsam. It's helpful to our readers. I agree that Balsam wool insulation is rather easy to recognize, as shown in the photos in the article BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION

On 2017-02-15 6 by Balsam Wool

I was a junior factory rep for Conwed Corp in the early 1970's (the new name for Wood Conversion Company and a division of Weyerhaeuser) and am very familiar with Balsam Wool and sold it by the truckload.

Genuine Bulsam Wool is easy to recognize. The wood fiber was reduced to single strands of celulose fiber and looks like un-spun wool, likewise sticks together, about the color of sheep's wool and 10% more efficient than fiberglass because each strand is made up on individual fiber cells.

Unlike fiberglass, Balsam Wool won't melt away in a fire and was chemically treated to be very fire retardent.
The only reason to replace Balsam Wool that I know of is if it is rinsed clean of the retardent by water in efforts to put out a fire.

There were several cheap products made from shredded newspaper and poorly shreded raw wood products but they blow apart easily with a pull of breath.

On 2016-09-07 by (mod) - The paper used with fiberglass insulation is often just that, paper.

The paper used with fiberglass insulation is often just that, paper.

The two common varities of facing for fiberglass batts are aluminum-foil faced paper or kraft paper that is more brown or tan in color.

Often the fiberglass is bonded to the paper facing by asphalt or an equivalent adhesive.

It would be a surprise to find fiberglass insulation bonded to an asbestos facing but who knows - someone might have produced such a product. Start by noting the age of the construction.

On 2016-09-07 by Mae

I have a question about batt floor insulation. It looks like yellow fiberglass batt insulation and it has black paper attached. Not sure if the black paper is asbestos. Any thoughts on this???

On 2016-05-09 by (mod) -

Mike:

BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION describes Balsam wool insulation to help people identify it and to help avoid the embarrassment of calling it something else.
We also explore and document research on various questions that people have raised about this product - they're listed in the article

The sorts of defects you might see at a balsam wool insulation job are similar to other building insulation products:

- torn, damaged, missing

- less than current recommended R-value

- wet and thus ineffective

- something else you see as a problem that we've not thought-of (in which case I hope you'll send me a photo and comment)

On 2016-05-09 by Mike Parkes

So what is the issue with Balsam Wool Insulation? What should I inform my clients about?

On 2015-12-13 by (mod) -

Please use the page bottom CONTACT link to send some pictures of the insulation and any labels or markings and I will research the question

On 2015-12-07 by kevin hansen

I live in a house built in 1981. The attic is is full of loose SilvaWool. Is it safe? Should I remove it, blow insulation over the top, or leave it alone. Will it affect the sale of my home?

On 2015-10-02 by Anonymous

My attic storage crawl space has balsam insulation. The black paper is torn in many areas and falling. Is is safe for me to remove it as a home project and replace it with fiberglass? Should I have professionals do this?

Question: Is it worthwhile to remove & replace existing balsam wool insulation?

(June 19, 2012) Don said:

heve found Balsam-wool bats in floor joists between basement garage and first floor living space. What Ive seen so for looks OK. It appears to be only 2" thick. Do you feel it's worth while to remove and replace?

Reply:

Don, you didn't mention the climate in which you live - if it is one that has a significant heating season it makes sense to look for R19+ between an unheated garage - open on occasion to outdoors - and the occupied heated space above. If the existing insulation is clean and undamaged I don't think it's removal is necessary.

Question: Is there a way to tell if balsam wool is made of fiberglass in a field inspection?

(Nov 13, 2012) Jane in Seattle said:

I found something I think is balsam wool in an older attic here in Seattle. It's very itchy. People say that's because it was made with fir bark, which is itchy. I don't think this stuff is fiberglass. Any way to tell in the field?

Reply:

Jane

Fiberglass is not a component of balsam wool insulation

Question: No trouble removing balsam wool insulation

(Nov 20, 2012) Bob in Pa said:

Just removed an entire attic area of Balsam Wool. The product caused no irritation to myself or my assistant during the removal. I also did not notice any appreciable odor. There were only two of the diamond labels in the entire area removed.

Reply:

Bob

Thanks for the helpful field report on balsam wool insulation. If there were any respiratory irritation I'd expect from that insulation it'd be from fine dust or from other contaminants.

Question: What type of tape will stick to the insulation for covering holes

(Mar 12, 2013) Jayne said:

The Balsam Wool insulation in my attic has a number of holes when it was cut by pitch forks when the shingles were replaced. What type of tape will stick to the insulation or is there another material that can be used. Otherwise the insulation which was installed around 1978 is in good shape.

Reply:

Jayne,

Duct tape. Foil tape is even stickier.

...

Continue reading at BALSAM WOOL BATT INSULATION or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING INSULATION

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