Good point about ventilation—it's often overlooked. I've seen clients spend a bunch on insulation upgrades only to find minimal improvement because the attic wasn't breathing properly. Sometimes just adding soffit vents or making sure existing ones aren't blocked can make a noticeable difference. And yeah, cellulose can be messy if you're not careful... I've walked into more than one DIY disaster zone with fluff literally everywhere. Definitely doable, but professional installation is usually worth the extra cost for convenience and cleanliness alone.
"professional installation is usually worth the extra cost for convenience and cleanliness alone."
True, but I've seen some "pros" leave behind a mess too—depends on the crew. And honestly, fiberglass batt insulation isn't rocket science; with patience and proper gear, DIY can turn out pretty tidy... minus the itch factor, of course.
Yeah, I've tackled fiberglass insulation myself a couple times, and you're right—it's doable if you're careful. One trick I learned the hard way: baby powder. Seriously, dusting your arms and neck with it before suiting up helps keep the fibers from sticking to your skin. Still itchy afterward, but way less intense. And definitely invest in a decent respirator mask—not just those flimsy paper ones. Your lungs will thank you later...
"Seriously, dusting your arms and neck with it before suiting up helps keep the fibers from sticking to your skin."
That's an interesting tip—I hadn't heard about the baby powder trick before. Usually, I just rely on long sleeves, gloves, and duct-taping my sleeves to my gloves to keep fibers out. It works fairly well, but there's always that lingering itchiness afterward. I'll definitely give the powder a try next time.
One thing I'd add is to consider disposable coveralls if you're doing a larger area or spending significant time up there. They're inexpensive enough at hardware stores and save you from contaminating your regular clothes. Also, if you have access to a shop vac with a HEPA filter, gently vacuuming yourself off before removing protective gear can help minimize stray fibers getting everywhere.
And totally agree on the respirator—those paper masks just don't cut it for fiberglass work. Protecting your lungs is worth every penny spent on proper equipment.
Good tips overall, but honestly I've never had much luck with disposable coveralls. They always seem to tear at the worst possible moment, leaving me itchy anyway. I stick with old jeans and a long-sleeve shirt that I don't mind tossing afterward. Also, cold showers after fiberglass work help close your pores and wash off fibers without embedding them deeper—hot water makes it worse, trust me on that one...
