Did you notice much difference in noise after adding the baffles, or was it mostly just heat? I'm planning to redo mine soon and keep going back and forth on whether they're really worth the trouble. I get what you're saying about the itchy afternoon—been there, done that. But if it's actually noticeable in terms of comfort, maybe I should just bite the bullet. Did you tackle it yourself or have someone help out? I'm decent with DIY but not sure if this is a solo job or better with an extra set of hands...
I did mine solo last summer, and honestly, it's doable but definitely easier with a second person. The baffles themselves aren't heavy or complicated, but maneuvering around in tight attic spaces while holding insulation and tools can get awkward real quick. If you have someone who can at least hand you stuff or hold things steady, you'll save yourself some frustration (and maybe a few choice words).
As far as noise goes, I noticed a slight improvement—mostly during heavy rainstorms. It wasn't night-and-day quieter, but the sound of rain hitting the roof seemed less sharp and echoey. The biggest difference for me was definitely heat management. Before adding baffles and proper insulation, my attic was basically an oven in the summer. Afterward, it felt noticeably cooler upstairs, and our AC didn't have to work nearly as hard.
If you're already planning to redo your insulation anyway, I'd say it's worth the extra effort to install the baffles properly. Just make sure you wear long sleeves and gloves—fiberglass itch is no joke, as you know. Also, invest in a good respirator mask; trust me, breathing in insulation dust isn't fun.
One thing I'll mention from experience: double-check your soffit vents before you start. I found out halfway through that mine were partially blocked with old insulation and debris, which kind of defeated the purpose of installing baffles in the first place. Clearing those out made a noticeable difference in airflow.
Have you checked your ventilation setup yet? Sometimes people overlook that part when they're focused on insulation alone...
Good points about the ventilation—it's surprising how often people overlook that. When I redid my roof a couple years back, I initially thought the insulation alone would solve most of my heat issues. Nope...turns out proper airflow is just as important. Once I cleared out my soffit vents and added ridge vents, the difference was pretty noticeable.
Also, totally agree on having a second set of hands. I tried going solo at first, but after nearly dropping a drill through the ceiling drywall (yeah, that was fun), I called in a buddy to help. Made things way smoother and probably saved me from some expensive repairs.
One thing I'd add: if you're already up there messing around with insulation and baffles, it's worth checking your roof decking closely for any signs of moisture or rot. Better to catch it now than have to rip everything apart again later...trust me on that one.
Good call on checking the decking while you're up there—it's easy to overlook stuff like that when you're focused on insulation and vents. Curious, did you find any moisture issues yourself, or was it more of a precautionary check? I've seen a few projects where minor leaks turned into major headaches because no one thought to inspect the decking closely enough. Glad you caught it early...sounds like your roof redo turned out pretty solid.
"Curious, did you find any moisture issues yourself, or was it more of a precautionary check?"
Good question—I'm wondering the same thing. From experience, moisture can be sneaky as heck. Had a project last year where the decking looked totally fine from below, but once we peeled off the shingles...surprise, surprise, damp spots everywhere. Ended up replacing way more than planned.
Also, curious if you noticed any particular trouble spots around vents or chimneys? Those areas always seem to be prime suspects for hidden leaks. Glad you caught it early though; nothing worse than thinking you're done and then discovering a nasty surprise later on. Sounds like you're on top of things (literally).
