Had pretty similar experience here. We did spray foam in a client's attic, and the smell lingered longer than expected—especially on muggy days. Good ventilation definitely helps. Still, I'd take a few days of funky smell over fiberglass itch any day...
Did you notice if the smell was stronger on humid days or just lingered longer overall? I'm considering spray foam too, but the idea of a lingering chemical smell isn't exactly appealing.
"Still, I'd take a few days of funky smell over fiberglass itch any day..."
Fair point, but is there maybe a middle-ground option that's less itchy than fiberglass and doesn't stink up the place? Trying to find something effective without breaking the bank...
Have you looked into cellulose insulation? It's less itchy, made from recycled materials, and doesn't have that chemical funk. Had it blown in a few years back—no regrets, wallet-friendly too. Might be worth considering...
"Have you looked into cellulose insulation? It's less itchy, made from recycled materials, and doesn't have that chemical funk."
Cellulose definitely has its perks—recycled content and fewer chemicals are appealing—but I wouldn't jump on it without considering a few downsides. When we were planning our build, I did some deep digging into insulation options. Turns out cellulose can settle over time, losing some of its R-value and effectiveness. Plus, if moisture ever sneaks in (roof leaks happen...), cellulose can absorb water like a sponge, potentially leading to mold issues down the road.
We ended up going with spray foam insulation instead. Yes, it's pricier upfront, and there's a bit of a chemical smell initially (gone after a few days), but the airtight seal and consistent performance made it worth it for us. No itchy fiberglass nightmares either. Just something else to consider before committing to cellulose...
Cellulose insulation sounds pretty tempting, especially the recycled aspect—love the eco-friendly angle. When we tackled our attic, budget was tight, so spray foam wasn't really an option. We ended up carefully removing the itchy fiberglass ourselves (long sleeves and masks are your friends here...) and replaced it with cellulose. Yeah, it settles a bit, but honestly, it's been holding up fine so far. Just keep an eye out for moisture issues and you'll probably be good. Hang in there, attic projects can be rough!
