"Supposedly it's less itchy and has decent loft retention. Has anyone here tried mineral wool in their attic? Curious if it's worth the extra cost and effort compared to fiberglass..."
I switched over to mineral wool insulation about three years ago after dealing with fiberglass batts for ages. Honestly, I was skeptical at first because of the higher upfront cost, but now I wouldn't go back. The difference in handling alone was worth it—way less itchy and irritating than fiberglass. Don't get me wrong, it's not completely itch-free (still wear gloves and long sleeves), but it's noticeably better.
Performance-wise, I've found mineral wool holds its shape really well. No settling or sagging so far, and my attic temps have stayed pretty consistent. I used to notice cold spots creeping back in after a couple of winters with fiberglass, but haven't had that issue since switching. Also, mineral wool seems denser, which helps with soundproofing too—an unexpected bonus if you're near a busy street or have noisy neighbors.
Installation-wise, it's a bit heavier and stiffer than fiberglass, so cutting and fitting can be slightly more challenging. You'll definitely want a good serrated insulation knife handy. But once you get the hang of it, it's straightforward enough. Just make sure your attic joists are spaced evenly; otherwise, you'll spend extra time trimming pieces to fit.
Cost-wise, yeah, it's pricier upfront. But considering how well it's held up so far, I think it'll pay off in the long run by not needing replacement or topping off as often. Plus, fewer itchy weekends spent crawling around the attic is a win in my book.
If you're planning to stay in your home long-term and want something durable and effective, I'd say mineral wool is definitely worth considering.
I get the appeal, but honestly, mineral wool was just too pricey for me. Instead, I went with blown-in cellulose insulation—way cheaper than mineral wool and still less itchy than fiberglass. It settled a bit after the first year, but nothing major. If you're budget-conscious like me, cellulose might be a good middle-ground option... decent performance, easier handling, and your wallet won't take as big a hit.
"It settled a bit after the first year, but nothing major."
Interesting, hadn't thought about cellulose insulation settling over time. Did you notice any difference in how well it insulated after it settled? I'm debating between cellulose and fiberglass myself—fiberglass is itchy as hell, but does cellulose hold up well enough long-term to justify skipping fiberglass altogether?
"fiberglass is itchy as hell, but does cellulose hold up well enough long-term to justify skipping fiberglass altogether?"
Honestly, cellulose does settle a bit, but if it's installed properly—meaning dense-packed and evenly distributed—it shouldn't affect your insulation performance significantly. I've used cellulose in quite a few builds over the years, and clients rarely complain about noticeable drops in efficiency. Plus, avoiding that itchy fiberglass nightmare alone might make cellulose worth it... just make sure whoever installs it knows their stuff.
"Honestly, cellulose does settle a bit, but if it's installed properly—meaning dense-packed and evenly distributed—it shouldn't affect your insulation performance significantly."
Totally agree with this. Have you considered blown-in cellulose? We switched from fiberglass batts to blown-in cellulose about 7 years ago, and honestly, it's been great so far. Definitely noticed less drafts in the winter months, and our heating bills dropped noticeably that first year.
One thing I'd add though—make sure your attic ventilation is sorted out before installation. Cellulose can handle moisture pretty well, but if your attic isn't venting properly, you could run into issues down the road with mold or dampness (learned that one the hard way at my old place...).
Also, yeah, fiberglass is itchy as hell—I still shudder remembering the weekend I spent pulling out old pink insulation from our attic. Even wearing a long-sleeved shirt and gloves didn't save me from itching for days afterward. Cellulose was a huge relief in that sense.
Have you looked into borate-treated cellulose? It helps deter pests like insects and rodents, which is a nice bonus if you've ever had critter issues up there. Not saying it's foolproof or anything, but every little bit helps when it comes to keeping unwanted guests out of your attic.
Overall though, I'd say cellulose is definitely worth considering if you're looking to avoid fiberglass altogether. Just make sure whoever installs it knows what they're doing and packs it densely enough—otherwise you might see more settling than you'd like down the line.
