Cellulose is decent, but honestly, I'd lean toward spray foam if budget allows. We did cellulose at our old house and yeah, it helped with drafts, but we still had some settling issues after a few years. Spray foam seals everything up tight—no gaps or settling to worry about. Plus, moisture and pests become pretty much non-issues. It's pricier upfront, but long-term comfort and peace of mind are worth it IMO. Just something else to consider before you commit...
Good points, but a couple things to keep in mind:
- Spray foam is great for sealing, but if you ever need to access wiring or plumbing later, it's a real pain.
- Also, some older homes need to breathe a bit—too tight can sometimes lead to moisture issues elsewhere.
Just something else to weigh before diving in.
You make some fair points about spray foam. I've seen firsthand how tough it can be when you need to get back in there later. A buddy of mine decided to go full spray foam in his attic—he loved it at first, raved about how cozy and quiet the house felt after. But then, a year down the line, he had a plumbing leak and... well, let's just say he wasn't raving anymore. Took forever to find the leak, and the plumber charged extra just for dealing with the foam mess.
I'm also glad you mentioned older homes needing to breathe. I know sealing everything tight sounds great on paper, but older houses weren't built with that in mind. It's like wrapping an antique piece of furniture in plastic—it might protect it, but it can also trap moisture and cause issues you didn't have before. I've seen some beautiful old homes end up with mold problems because their owners got a little too enthusiastic about sealing every nook and cranny.
That said, fiberglass insulation—the itchy pink nightmare—isn't exactly a joy to deal with either. I get why you're tempted by spray foam. Have you considered blown-in cellulose as an alternative? It's not perfect either, but it's easier to work around if you ever need to access wiring or plumbing later. Plus, it's pretty good at letting the house breathe naturally.
Curious if anyone here has tried cellulose insulation themselves and how it turned out—especially in older homes? Seems like it could be a decent compromise between sealing things up tight and still keeping future maintenance doable.
I switched to blown-in cellulose about three years ago in my 1920s bungalow. Honestly, installation was pretty straightforward—way less itchy than fiberglass, that's for sure. It's held up well so far, and I've had to get back up there twice since then for wiring updates. Definitely easier to move around and patch up afterward compared to foam. Not a miracle solution, but a decent middle ground if you're worried about future maintenance headaches.
Good to hear cellulose worked out for you—I’ve been debating between that and foam myself. Did you notice any difference in noise reduction after switching? My attic’s right above the bedroom, so quieter would definitely be a bonus...
