I get the love for cellulose, but I’ve run into a couple issues in my place—mainly with settling over time. Had to top up the attic after about five years, which wasn’t a huge deal but something to keep in mind if you’re aiming for long-term results. Foam’s pricier, sure, but I do like that it stays put. For me, the extra upfront cost sometimes pays off down the road, especially if you’re not keen on doing touch-ups later. Just depends how much hassle you want to avoid.
“Foam’s pricier, sure, but I do like that it stays put. For me, the extra upfront cost sometimes pays off down the road, especially if you’re not keen on doing touch-ups later.”
Yeah, that’s been my experience too—foam just sits there and does its job year after year. I get where you’re coming from with cellulose settling. Had a similar thing in my old place. We blew in cellulose in the attic and within a few years, it dropped a couple inches in spots. Not the end of the world, but crawling around up there with a mask and hose again isn’t fun once you’ve already ticked it off your list once.
I will say, though, the price difference can be a real pill to swallow if you’re doing the whole house. I looked at spray foam for my basement rim joists and nearly choked at the quote. Ended up doing a hybrid—used foam board around the edges and cellulose in the middle. Not perfect, but it kept costs down and I haven’t had to mess with it since.
Curious—did you do the install yourself or hire it out? I’ve found DIY cellulose is doable if you’re patient, but foam seems like a pro-only job unless you don’t mind getting sticky goop everywhere (and possibly ruining your day). I’ve heard some folks get creative with combo approaches depending on the space. Anyone else try mixing materials, or is it just me being cheap and stubborn?
Also, how bad was the top-up? Did you notice any drafts or temp swings before you added more, or was it more of a “better safe than sorry” thing? I always wonder how much of that loss actually shows up on the energy bill versus just feeling better knowing it’s topped off.
Mixing materials isn’t just you—I’ve done the “whatever’s on sale” approach more than once. Honestly, I tried DIY foam in a crawlspace once and ended up looking like a marshmallow monster. Never again. Did you notice any weird smells or moisture issues after topping up? Sometimes I wonder if all that extra fluff actually helps or just makes me feel better about my utility bill...
I totally get the “marshmallow monster” vibe—been there, done that, and my hair still remembers. As for the fluff, I’ve always wondered if it’s just psychological too. Did you notice any drafts after all that? Sometimes I think it’s more about peace of mind than actual savings...
I get what you mean about the peace of mind, but I’ve actually noticed a real difference after insulating—especially in an old house like mine. Before, you could feel the cold air sneaking in around the windows and floorboards, no matter how high the heat was cranked. After adding insulation (and yes, looking like a marshmallow for days), those drafts pretty much vanished. My heating bill dropped a bit, too—not dramatic, but enough to notice. Maybe it’s not all in our heads after all...
