Rice Hulls for Interior Wall Insulation?

[Benson.bo]

I'm in the middle of building out my tiny home, its a stationary though, not on a trailer and I'm exploring natural insulation options. I've been reading up on rice hulls, apparently they're fire resistant, pest resistant, and have decent R value if packed right, i'm thinking of using them in the interior walls, maybe bagged or blown in behind fabric or thin ply

Thoughts on this anyone?, pros?, cons?

 

[Liz1]

Rice hulls are a cool option, eco-friendly and fire-resistant like you said. One concern, though, is moisture, if not sealed or ventilated well, they can trap humidity and lead to mold

 

[bbq r1bs]

I'm in the middle of building out my tiny home, its a stationary though, not on a trailer and I'm exploring natural insulation options. I've been reading up on rice hulls, apparently they're fire resistant, pest resistant, and have decent R value if packed right, i'm thinking of using them in the interior walls, maybe bagged or blown in behind fabric or thin ply

Thoughts on this anyone?, pros?, cons?

yeah, the fire and pest resistance is a huge pro. The high silica content in rice hulls makes them naturally fire resistant, and since they're not a food source for most pests, they're not attractive to rodents or insects.
But it's still crucial to make sure the walls are sealed tight to prevent them from getting in. You'll also need to make sure the hulls stay dry, as any moisture could lead to mold or a decrease in their insulation properties

 

[ferrari.father]

I'm in the middle of building out my tiny home, its a stationary though, not on a trailer and I'm exploring natural insulation options. I've been reading up on rice hulls, apparently they're fire resistant, pest resistant, and have decent R value if packed right, i'm thinking of using them in the interior walls, maybe bagged or blown in behind fabric or thin ply

Thoughts on this anyone?, pros?, cons?

Main cons are moisture control cos they can hold dampness if not sealed well and settling over time, so make sure you've got a good vapor barrier and containment method

 

[microhaven]

I'm in the middle of building out my tiny home, its a stationary though, not on a trailer and I'm exploring natural insulation options. I've been reading up on rice hulls, apparently they're fire resistant, pest resistant, and have decent R value if packed right, i'm thinking of using them in the interior walls, maybe bagged or blown in behind fabric or thin ply

Thoughts on this anyone?, pros?, cons?

Rice hulls serve as effective insulation, offering an R-value of around 3 to 4 per inch, and they're naturally resistant to fire and pests. However, they do have some downsides like settling over time and absorbing moisture. To enhance their stability, try bagging them in fabric sleeves and incorporating vapor barriers. You can also think about mixing them with other materials to boost their R-value.

 

[Roth_Mantel]

I've seen people bag them in burlap or breathable fabric before putting them in walls. That way, if you ever need to pull them out, you can. Loose fill behind plywood sounds good until you need to access wiring or plumbing.

 

[trurorow]

They are right! The good thing about using rice hulls is that they do not attract pests. You can also use a thin barrier and you might want to test a small section first to see how it holds up over time.