Yeah, sealing the attic properly is definitely key before installing a fan. I learned this the hard way—installed a fancy attic fan thinking it'd solve all my heat problems, only to realize later it was pulling cool air from inside the house because of gaps around the attic hatch and recessed lights. Ended up sealing everything with foam insulation and weatherstripping first, then added extra insulation. Huge difference afterward...no more wasted AC! It's worth spending that extra weekend checking seals before diving into fan installation.
Good call sealing everything first; attic fans can be tricky if your attic isn't airtight. I've seen clients install fans without sealing properly, and it ends up pulling conditioned air right out of their living spaces—basically fighting their AC and driving up bills. Curious though, did you go with fiberglass insulation or something like blown-in cellulose after sealing? I've found cellulose tends to fill gaps better and reduces that itchy nightmare factor a bit...
I completely agree about cellulose being easier to handle—fiberglass insulation is definitely not my favorite weekend project. A few years back, I tackled my attic with fiberglass batts, and despite wearing protective gear, I still ended up itchy for days afterward. Learned my lesson the hard way, I suppose.
When it came time to redo another section of the attic last year, I opted for blown-in cellulose instead. It was a night-and-day difference. Not only did it fill in all those awkward corners and gaps better, but it was also much less irritating to work with. Plus, I've noticed a slight improvement in temperature consistency upstairs since switching over.
One thing I'm curious about though—did you consider spray foam insulation at all? I've heard mixed things about it. Some folks swear by its sealing capabilities and energy efficiency, but others have mentioned concerns about ventilation and moisture management. I've been debating whether it's worth the extra cost and hassle for some of the tighter spaces in my attic. Would love to hear if anyone has experience or thoughts on that front...
I get why cellulose is appealing, but honestly, spray foam might not be worth the extra cost for most attics. A buddy of mine went that route, and while it sealed things up tight, he ended up needing additional ventilation to deal with moisture buildup. If you're budget-conscious like me, blown-in cellulose hits a nice sweet spot between cost and performance without the hassle of reworking your attic's airflow...just my two cents.
We went with spray foam when we built our place a few years back—it's definitely premium and does seal everything up nicely, but yeah, the moisture thing is real. We had to add extra ventilation after noticing some condensation issues. If I did it again, I'd probably lean toward cellulose too. My brother-in-law used blown-in cellulose in his attic renovation, saved a decent chunk of change, and hasn't had any problems. Seems like a solid middle ground for comfort without overspending.
