03-18-2006, 06:26 PM
Nancy, we just bought a house made with "structural insulated panels", in Keaau, built in 1973. The whole house had fiberglass insulation (all walls were batted & 3" suspended ceiling like stuff on the ceiling. We had to take out all of the walls & the ceiliing because rats, mice, and every other critter had nested in the walls & ceiling (and they left there messes!). Part of the problem was that there were openings that the buggers could get into, but once they did, they partied!!! However, once the insultation was gone, you did notice the radient heat on sunny days (glad to have 'em back!) & noise does travel through the walls. So we have placed an infrared barrier in the attic area, and are putting insulated bubble infrared barriers between the walls. I know there are a lot of single wall homes on the island, I do not know how they reduce between room & outside noises (or if it matters, as the windows are usually open. also don't know how they deal with the radient heat (both through the walls & roof).
Aloha, Carey
Aloha, Carey