Have you looked into blown fiberglass at all? I was leaning toward cellulose too, but a friend mentioned fiberglass as a middle-ground option. Apparently, it's less itchy than the pink batts, cheaper than spray foam, and still pretty decent for energy savings. Might not be as airtight as foam, but could be worth checking out if you're trying to balance comfort and budget...anyone here tried it firsthand?
I had blown fiberglass put in about five years ago after dealing with those itchy pink batts myself...honestly, it was a relief. Installation was quick, no itchiness afterward, and my energy bills dropped noticeably. Not as airtight as foam, sure, but definitely worth it for the price.
Did you notice any settling issues with the blown fiberglass after a few years? I've heard mixed things about it losing effectiveness over time. I'm considering upgrading from batts myself—can't stand the itchiness either—but I want something that'll hold up long-term. Foam seems ideal, but the price difference is pretty steep... Did you do anything special to prep your attic beforehand, or just blow it right over the old insulation?
"Foam seems ideal, but the price difference is pretty steep..."
Yeah, foam's definitely pricey upfront, but long-term it's hard to beat. Blown fiberglass can settle a bit over time—nothing drastic if installed right, though. Key step is sealing air leaks beforehand...makes a huge difference in performance.
Went through something similar a couple years back. I initially considered foam insulation too, but the upfront cost was just beyond my budget at the time. Ended up going with blown-in fiberglass instead—definitely cheaper and pretty effective overall, but it did settle a bit more than I expected after the first year or two. Nothing terrible, mind you, but noticeable enough that I had to add a bit more to maintain efficiency.
The real game changer for me was taking the time beforehand to seal up all those little air leaks and gaps around vents and wiring. Honestly, that step alone probably made more difference than anything else I did insulation-wise. My heating bill dropped noticeably, and the house felt much less drafty afterward. Foam might be ideal if you can swing it, but from a practical standpoint, sealing leaks thoroughly and using fiberglass carefully can still get you solid results without breaking the bank.
