DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
Dense-pack cellulose is definitely a solid upgrade over batt fiberglass, especially for retrofits. I’ve seen it do a much better job at stopping air leaks around wiring and odd framing. One thing I wonder about, though—have you run into any issues with settling over time? I’ve had a couple projects where older cellulose compacted and left gaps, but maybe the newer install methods have solved that. Curious if you’ve noticed any long-term differences in performance compared to fiberglass or even spray foam.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
I get the appeal of dense-pack cellulose, but honestly, I’m not convinced it’s the silver bullet folks make it out to be. Settling is still a risk, even with updated install methods—maybe less than before, but it’s not zero. I’ve seen jobs where a few years in, you’re back up there filling gaps that shouldn’t be there. Spray foam’s got its own issues (cost, off-gassing), but at least it doesn’t move around. Fiberglass might be itchy and old-school, but at least you know exactly what you’re dealing with. Sometimes the “upgrade” just trades one set of problems for another.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
You’re not wrong—every insulation type seems to come with its own headaches. I’ve seen cellulose settle too, even when it’s “done right.” Fiberglass is a pain to handle, but at least you know what you’re getting into. Sometimes the old ways stick around for a reason.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
That’s the thing—fiberglass is predictable, but it’s hardly ideal from a health or sustainability standpoint. I get why people stick with it, but I’ve seen too many cases where improper installation leads to gaps, and then you’re losing efficiency anyway. Cellulose settling is a pain, but at least it’s recycled content and doesn’t itch like crazy.
Have you looked into mineral wool at all? It’s not perfect, but it handles moisture better than fiberglass and doesn’t have the same itch factor. Plus, higher fire resistance is a bonus. Curious if anyone’s tried it in an attic retrofit and how it held up over a few years... seems like every option has its own trade-offs.
DEALING WITH ITCHY PINK NIGHTMARE IN MY ATTIC
I hear you on the fiberglass misery. I went through a similar ordeal last year, crawling around in the stuff and itching for days. Honestly, I kind of regret not looking harder at alternatives before just going with what the contractor suggested.
Mineral wool crossed my radar, but I got mixed feedback. Some folks said it was way easier to work with than fiberglass—less itch, cuts cleaner—but others complained about the weight and cost. It does seem like it would handle our humid summers better though, which is a big plus.
Cellulose settling was my main hesitation too. I’ve seen attics where it’s all lumpy after a few years... not great for efficiency. At the end of the day, every option seems to have its own set of headaches. Wish there was a truly “set it and forget it” insulation out there, but I guess that’s just not how these things go.
