We had a similar experience when we converted our garage a few years back. Your comment about inspectors practically moving in made me laugh because that's exactly how it felt for us too. At one point, I swear the inspector was coming by so often he knew our dog's name and favorite treats... 😂
You're spot-on about insulation and ventilation. We initially underestimated how important good ventilation was until we noticed condensation building up on the windows. Ended up installing a small HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system, which wasn't too pricey and made a huge difference. Definitely recommend looking into that if moisture becomes an issue.
As for alternative insulation, we actually went with sheep's wool insulation. Sounds a bit odd, I know, but it was surprisingly easy to work with, very eco-friendly, and it's naturally resistant to mold and mildew. Plus, it didn't irritate our skin like fiberglass does, which was a huge bonus. The only downside was availability—we had to order it online and wait a bit longer for delivery—but overall, I'd say it was worth it.
Heating-wise, we opted for radiant floor heating under engineered wood floors. It was a little more upfront cost-wise, but the comfort level is fantastic. Nothing beats walking barefoot on warm floors in winter mornings. And since it's pretty energy-efficient, our monthly bills haven't been bad at all.
Anyway, sounds like you're doing great and have thought things through really well. These projects always have their hiccups, but it's so satisfying once you're done and can finally enjoy the space you've created. Hang in there—you're definitely on the right track!
Your inspector story cracked me up—ours practically became part of the family too. Pretty sure he knew more about our house's quirks than we did by the end.
A few quick thoughts from my own experience renovating an old carriage house into a guest space:
- Totally second the HRV recommendation. We tried to skip it initially, thinking "how bad can it be?"...well, pretty bad. Moisture and older buildings are best friends, unfortunately.
- Sheep's wool insulation sounds intriguing. We went with cellulose insulation ourselves—also eco-friendly and easy on the skin. It was cheaper and easier to source locally, but I'll admit, sheep's wool sounds way cooler.
- Radiant floor heating is amazing, but we stuck with mini-split heat pumps. Not quite as cozy underfoot, but installation was straightforward and they've been surprisingly efficient even in colder weather.
Honestly, budget-wise, be prepared for surprises—especially if you're dealing with an older structure. But like everyone says, it's totally worth it once you're sipping coffee in your cozy new space. Hang in there!
Your experience definitely resonates—inspectors really do become honorary family members after a while, don't they? Curious about the sheep's wool insulation though... have you heard anything about how it holds up long-term, especially with moisture? I went with spray foam last time (effective, but not exactly eco-friendly), and I'm considering greener options next time around. Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track—hang in there, it'll definitely pay off.
I've been curious about sheep's wool insulation myself and did a bit of digging into it recently. From what I've gathered, it actually handles moisture surprisingly well—wool naturally absorbs and releases moisture without losing its insulating properties. Supposedly, it can absorb up to around 30% of its weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch. Pretty impressive, right? Plus, wool insulation is treated with borates or similar substances to keep pests and mold at bay, so that helps with longevity.
That said, I haven't personally used it yet, so I'm still a bit cautious. I did have a friend who renovated an older cottage and went with wool insulation. He swears by it now, but it's only been a couple of years, so the real long-term test is still ongoing. I'd be interested to see how it holds up after five or ten years, especially in climates with high humidity or frequent temperature swings.
Spray foam is definitely effective—I’ve used it myself—but yeah, the environmental aspect always nags at me too. Another option I've been looking into lately is cellulose insulation made from recycled paper. It's treated similarly to wool insulation (with borates) to resist pests and mold, and it's pretty eco-friendly since it's recycled material. The downside is that cellulose can settle over time, potentially reducing its effectiveness unless installed really carefully.
Honestly, every insulation type seems to have its pros and cons. If you're leaning toward greener options next time around, wool or cellulose might be worth exploring further. And hey, if you do end up trying sheep's wool insulation first-hand, definitely share how it goes—I'm genuinely curious to hear real-world experiences beyond the marketing brochures...
I've actually used cellulose insulation in a small remodel and it's held up pretty well so far—though it's only been about three years. I do wonder about wool insulation's cost compared to cellulose or spray foam...is it significantly pricier upfront, or does it balance out over time with energy savings? Curious if anyone's crunched the numbers on that yet.
