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Tell me I'm dreaming, but I wish there was some way I could insulate my
attic and leave the old studs exposed, as well as brace boards around
the windows that extend into the room that would make sheet rocking
difficult.
The house is over 100 years old and I like the look of bare studs,
however, I want to use the attic as a spare bedroom on occassion and
question wheather exposed insulation is healthy? Would it create dust?



What type of insulation? Fiberglass could give off some dust, but probably
not a big deal. I'd be more concerned about getting dust on the insulation
myself.

Foam insulation would not give off dust, but it would collect it. Even
though it is a fire retardant material, code requires it to be covered with
sheetrock anyway.

The foil backed insulation is probably the best from a dust POV, but it sure
would not look as nice as anything else.

To get the look you want, I'd consider putting is some rigid foam insulation
and then putting panels of sheetrock over it, but just between the studs.
It would stay put with some construction adhesive, can be painted and still
be thick enough to provide good insulating value. If the stud if 4", I'd
put 2 1/2" of foam, 1/2" of sheetrock, then leave the rest exposed.