"Denim insulation sounds interesting, though I've always stuck with cork panels...they're sustainable and handle humidity pretty well."
Cork does have its perks, especially sustainability-wise, but I agree with the caution about flood-prone areas. Had a rental property near a river a few years back—thought cork would be perfect because of its eco-friendly appeal and decent humidity handling. Well, after one particularly nasty flood, I learned the hard way that cork isn't exactly forgiving once it's soaked through. It took forever to dry out properly, and even then, it never quite felt the same afterward.
Closed-cell spray foam is definitely pricier upfront, but from an investment standpoint, it's worth every penny. The peace of mind alone knowing your insulation won't turn into a soggy mess is invaluable. Plus, it adds structural rigidity and can even help lower energy bills over time. I've seen properties insulated with spray foam bounce back much quicker after flooding events compared to those using natural materials.
That said, I'm curious if anyone here has experience combining different insulation types strategically? Like maybe using spray foam in lower-level areas prone to flooding and something more breathable or sustainable upstairs? Could be a good compromise between cost-effectiveness and moisture protection...
Totally agree on spray foam for lower levels—had a basement flood a few years ago, and the foam sections dried out way quicker than the fiberglass batts upstairs. Denim sounds cool, but I'd save it for areas you're sure won't get wet...
Yeah, spray foam definitely makes sense down low—I've seen it hold up pretty well after flooding. But I'm still curious about denim insulation. Has anyone actually had it get wet? Wondering if it'd mold quickly or take forever to dry. Seems like a cool eco-friendly option, but maybe not worth the risk in flood-prone spots...
I've looked into denim insulation too—love the eco-friendly angle and the idea of recycling jeans is pretty cool. But honestly, in flood-prone areas, I'd steer clear. A buddy of mine had a small leak in his basement wall, and the denim insulation soaked it right up like a sponge. Took forever to dry out, and yeah, mold showed up pretty quickly after that. Spray foam might cost a bit more upfront, but it's probably cheaper than dealing with mold remediation later...
Yeah, denim insulation sounds great in theory, but you're right—it's definitely not ideal for damp areas. Had a similar experience flipping a house near a river. Thought I'd go eco-friendly with denim, but after one heavy rainstorm, I regretted it big time. Took ages to dry out, and the mold was a nightmare. Ended up replacing it all with spray foam, and honestly, haven't looked back since. Spray foam's pricier upfront, but the peace of mind is worth every penny. Good call pointing that out—better to spend a bit more now than deal with mold headaches later.
