I would like to shred styrofoam into small pieces to insulate an attic space, any suggestions?

Question

Polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam is a good insulator, and is thrown away every day by millions of consumers and businesses. Can we turn this waste into a tool for reducing energy use, particularly for people that can not afford to buy the commercially available stuff? Every BTU that we can save through any means can help reduce energy dependence, and can help struggling families reduce energy expenses particularly during a time when we have a record number of foreclosures. Is this a feasible idea?

Answer 1

Check your local building codes and fire codes first.  Also, check with your homeowners insurance to see if they will insure such a fire trap.  After all, styrofoam has been used as a thickening agent to make burning napalm stick better to human flesh and other targets.

Answer 2

"By now, everyone has heard of the Great White concert fire on February 20. 2003 that killed 100 and injured 180. The fire started when a spark from the band's pyrotechnic gerbs display ignited the soundproofing foam insulation lining the walls of the concert club as Great White began their set."

The smoke was lethal about a minute after the fire started.

Answer 3

Actually, extruded polystyrene (5.00 R-Value per inch) is a better insulator than fiberglass insulation (3.14 R-Value per inch).  So it looks like a great option.  

I would imagine that the reason that contractors use fiberglass, as opposed to polystyrene, is the ease of application with fiberglass.  Fiberglass is a little heavier, and therefore, can be sprayed on quickly.  Polystyrene is lighter and would fly all over when sprayed in small pieces.

Answer 4

Great idea in principle but I wouldn't use it unless I had a reliable sprinkler system installed in case of fire..