"One thing I noticed after switching was how much quieter our house became. Didn't expect that at all, but apparently spray foam helps dampen sound too?"
Totally noticed this too—it's like bonus insulation perks no one tells you about. On a related note, has anyone tried cellulose insulation? I've heard it's pretty good for soundproofing as well, and supposedly less itchy than fiberglass. Curious if it's worth considering for future attic projects...
Curious if it's worth considering for future attic projects...
I was skeptical about cellulose at first—seemed like just shredded paper, right? But we ended up using it in our guest room walls during a remodel, and honestly, it surprised me. Definitely quieter than the fiberglass we had before, and no itchy nightmare either. Only downside is it can settle over time, so you might lose some insulation value eventually. Still, way better than dealing with that pink stuff...
Agree with you on cellulose—used it in a few attic projects myself. Couple quick points from experience:
- Definitely less itchy and easier to handle than fiberglass, no argument there.
- Settling is real, but you can minimize it by installing at the right density. A good installer who knows their stuff makes a huge difference here.
- One thing to keep an eye on is moisture. Cellulose can absorb humidity more readily than fiberglass, so proper attic ventilation becomes even more important. Learned that the hard way when we had some condensation issues one winter...
- Also, rodents seem less interested in cellulose compared to fiberglass—maybe it's treated or something? Not sure exactly why, but fewer pest issues overall.
Overall, I'd say it's a solid choice for attics if you're careful about installation and ventilation.
"One thing to keep an eye on is moisture. Cellulose can absorb humidity more readily than fiberglass..."
Good points overall, but I have to say the moisture issue was a deal-breaker for me. Even with decent ventilation, my attic tends to get pretty humid in summer storms, and cellulose just seemed too risky. Ended up going with mineral wool instead—still way less itchy than fiberglass, handles moisture better, and wasn't too harsh on the wallet either. Might be worth considering if humidity's a concern...
Ended up going with mineral wool instead—still way less itchy than fiberglass, handles moisture better, and wasn't too harsh on the wallet either.
Mineral wool's a solid choice, but honestly, cellulose isn't as risky as it sounds. With proper installation and a vapor barrier, moisture absorption is manageable. I've seen it hold up surprisingly well even in humid climates...just gotta get the details right.
