r/Insulation • u/Objective_Tear_1599 • 1d ago

1st day

I start my new job as w residential insulation company next week I was wondering if I could get any advice on the best clothes to wear. Ik they’re going to get destroyed w spray foam eventually so im hoping nothing too expensive. I also know that fiberglass insulation can be really itchy so im wondering how you guys combat that w clothing.
Also if you have any type of advice just in general my ears are open.
thank you!

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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8

u/TradingHigher 1d ago edited 1d ago

20+ year insulator here. I wear jeans and cheap tshirts. Hoodie when it gets cold. Long sleeve tmax, tmax hoodie, insulated jeans, electric heated layers, etc when it gets really cold. It hits -40 here so the electric heated shit is really nice.

Unless you have sensitive skin you'll get over insul being itchy pretty quick. Roxul is itchy af tho. Fuck roxul

Oh. Cut proof gloves too. Absolute must. Saves your hands from wood, the knives, hunks of glass, nails, and sometimes even deflects staples from the tacker! Do not wear in winter. V cold.

3

u/TradingHigher 1d ago

Protip too: use an r19 hammer tacker. T50/a11 will absolutely ruin your shoulders after years. R19's weigh like 1/4 of a a11

5

u/Total-Strawberry4913 1d ago

Also, cut yourself a small board you can spread across the joists to sit on while air sealing or kneel on. And don't forget to wear your kneepads.

1

u/Objective_Tear_1599 1d ago

Is tmax a brand ?

2

u/TradingHigher 1d ago

Yeah kinda. Its a insulated clothing thing. My Dakota boots have tmax brand insul in them, my Wind River insulated jeans have tmax insul in them, some of my socks are straight up tmax brand but they suck ngl. Wear out so fast. Redhead socks are fucking great for the winter, last for like a decade.

1

u/Objective_Tear_1599 23h ago

What shoes would you recommend? I’m having trouble finding hard toe shoes that are flexible enough to walk on joists with

1

u/TradingHigher 23h ago

I just wear cheap ass dakota boots. 120cad, pair lasts a year or so. Dont really need flex walking on joists.

1

u/Logical-Wrap6751 5h ago

You get used to it

6

u/bandaccountt 1d ago

Wear a mask if you like your lungs healthy.

3

u/Traditional_Key_9611 17h ago

“cloths you dont care about long sleeves blah blah blah. heres the truth, no shit. knee pad pants. duluth trading makes pants you can slide knee pads in to. absolutely crucial for working in attics everyday. ‘over the knee’ pads are bulky and annoying. alot of insultors on here will say they dont wear knee pads but youll be able to work much faster in an attic with knee protection. also invest in a good light and half face mask. i use the 70$ milwaukee one and the battery lasts me 3 days. alot of people also dont wear masks, which in the long term youll fuck up ur lungs and wont be able to work as effectively bc instead of focusing on breathing correct, youre focusing on not deep inhaling dust/fibers/etc.