Cellulose is definitely easier to move around if you ever need to run wires or fix something later. Only thing is, it can settle over time, so you might have to top it up down the road.
Yeah, cellulose does settle, but I’ve found it’s still less of a hassle than dealing with fiberglass. If you ever have to open up the attic for electrical or HVAC work, it’s way easier to shift around. Just make sure you check your ventilation, since dense-pack cellulose can sometimes block soffit vents if it’s not installed carefully.
Honestly, I’d take cellulose over fiberglass any day, even with the settling issue. If you’ve ever tried crawling through that pink stuff to chase down a wire or fix a duct, you know what a pain it is—itchy arms for days, no matter how careful you are. With cellulose, I just use a rake or even my hands (with gloves) to move it aside and get the job done.
One thing I always tell folks: before you blow in cellulose, make sure your baffles are in place at every soffit. It’s easy for the insulation to drift and block airflow if you’re not careful, especially if you’re dense-packing it. I’ve seen attics where someone just blew it in without checking, and suddenly there’s moisture buildup or even mold because the vents got blocked.
If you’re worried about settling, just check the depth every couple years. Topping up isn’t a huge deal—way easier than dealing with fiberglass batts that fall apart when you try to move them. Just my two cents from crawling around more attics than I care to remember...
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
You nailed it about the fiberglass—every time I’ve had to mess with it, I end up regretting it for days. No matter how much I suit up, that stuff finds a way in. I switched to cellulose a couple years back, mostly because I was tired of the itch and honestly, it was cheaper to blow in a few more bags than to try and patch up the old batts.
I do get a little hung up on the settling thing, though. I’m pretty detail-oriented (maybe too much), so I keep a yardstick up there and check every now and then. Like you said, topping it off is way less hassle than trying to re-fit saggy fiberglass. Plus, cellulose seems to fill all the weird gaps better.
The baffle tip is spot on. First time I did it, I skipped that step and paid for it with some ugly frost on the roof deck. Lesson learned. Now I double-check every vent before adding anything.
Honestly, for the price and the hassle factor, cellulose just makes more sense. Even if you have to add a bag or two every few years, it’s still less work (and less itch) in the long run.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
You’re not alone in the “fiberglass regret” club—been there, scratched that. I’ve had more than a few evenings spent trying to scrub off the invisible itch after crawling around up there. Cellulose is just so much easier on the skin (and sanity). Plus, it’s nice knowing it’s mostly recycled material, right? Feels a little better for the planet, even if it does settle a bit over time.
I get being a stickler about the depth. I started marking the rafters with tape instead of using a yardstick, just so I could see at a glance if things were shifting. Makes me feel like I’m winning at attic Tetris. And yeah, the baffle thing... I learned that lesson the drafty way too. Nothing like a little frost to remind you what you skipped.
The only minor gripe I have with cellulose is the dust when you’re blowing it in. Goggles are a must, unless you want to look like you lost a fight with a flour sack. But overall, I’d take that over fiberglass any day.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
Marking the rafters with tape is genius—I wish I’d thought of that before wrestling with a ruler on those beams. I’ll admit, cellulose dust is no joke, but at least it doesn’t haunt your skin for days. Worth it for the price and peace of mind, honestly.
