non fiberglass duct insulations

[drizz1234]

i have been doing a lot of research to see if there are any non fiberglass alternative duct wraps (external wrap not liner) and have not had much luck, the new r8 energy code has made an ichy miserable job even worse! reflective insulation was way to labor intensive, double wrapped with double spacers took longer to do than making and installing the duct itself. i see some cotton wrap out there but its not affordable seeing that the new energy equipment codes have already killed the profits in this biz. its seems if they could make one it would be an instant success. 3" fiberglass r8 insulation is just to thick to be installed in tight modern buildings and after many years of this stuff falling in my face the health concerns are bothering me. anyone have any luck with this topic or is it just another topic that keeps getting ignored in this field. most of appretices we tried to get onboard leave saying insulation is the biggest drawback of being a sheet metal worker, i agree.

[newbie]

what about subbing it out to an insulation company? It might cost a little more but in the long run it might be worth it.

[newbie]

also yes, insulating is the most miserable job in heating/cooling sytems install

[Rob]

Spray foam insulation is the answer.
Used it several times (subbed it out to a local insulation firm).
No complaints.

[dcorry1]

anyone had any luck with the bubble wrap?I've had guys talk about how great it was,don't know much about it myself

[greenman9]

Used bubble wrap in residential jobs in places like in a garage, was told it was code. Did not understand the reasoning of why it was code. (I question if it was code) but did what I was told.

[greenman9]

when I was an apprentice I spent most of my time insulating (liner) or knocking together duct and fittings. I hated the liner as It would make me break out in rashes, it drove me nuts. I often wondered why they dont make some other alternative to fiberglass(like shredded plastic.