I went with blown-in insulation too, and honestly, I haven't noticed much settling either. But I do think installation quality matters just as much as the type. When we first moved into our current place, the previous owner had done a DIY job with batts, and it was a mess—gaps everywhere, uneven coverage, and yeah, those recessed lights were basically chimneys. After redoing it professionally with blown-in stuff, it's night and day difference. Still skeptical about how long it'll hold up, but so far so good...
Yeah, totally agree about installation quality. I've seen blown-in insulation last decades without much settling, but it really hinges on prep work and technique. One common mistake is skimping on air sealing beforehand—if you don't seal up all the gaps around wiring, plumbing vents, and especially recessed lights, you're basically leaving open pathways for heat loss. Done right, though, blown-in is pretty reliable long-term. Definitely beats wrestling with itchy fiberglass batts...been there, done that, never again.
"Definitely beats wrestling with itchy fiberglass batts...been there, done that, never again."
Ha, I feel your pain on the fiberglass itch, but honestly, blown-in isn't always a picnic either. Had some done last year and ended up with dust everywhere for weeks... still finding bits in the weirdest places.
Yeah, blown-in insulation can definitely get messy. I remember helping my brother-in-law with his attic a couple years back—we thought we had everything sealed off pretty well, but nope. Ended up with that fluffy stuff drifting down into the kitchen cabinets somehow. Took forever to clean out all the dishes and glasses. Did you guys try sealing off rooms or vents beforehand, or was it just one of those unavoidable dust storms? I'm thinking about tackling my own attic soon, and honestly, I'm still debating between blown-in and batt insulation. Fiberglass itch is awful, but at least it stays mostly where you put it...mostly.
Yeah, blown-in insulation can be a real pain if you're not super careful. I had a similar experience when we renovated our old place—thought we'd sealed everything tight, but somehow that fluffy stuff still found its way into the weirdest spots. I swear, months later I'd still find little bits of insulation in random corners of closets and cabinets.
Batt insulation definitely has its perks, especially if you're worried about the mess factor. But honestly, blown-in can be pretty great too if you prep right. We ended up doing another attic recently (different house), and this time we spent extra time sealing off vents and doorways with plastic sheeting and painter's tape. It wasn't perfect, but it made a huge difference compared to the first time around. Still got some dust here and there, but nothing like before.
If you do go with fiberglass batts though, make sure you gear up properly—long sleeves, gloves, goggles, mask...the whole nine yards. That itchiness is no joke. Learned that lesson the hard way myself after thinking "eh, I'll just be careful." Nope. Spent the next two days regretting it every time I moved my arms.
Either way you go, it's worth it in the end. The comfort difference alone makes all the hassle worthwhile. Good luck with your attic project—hope it goes smoother than mine did!
