Yeah, those electrical boxes are always a pain. I end up spending way too much time trying to tuck insulation around them without leaving gaps or compressing it too much. Did you use any of those foam gaskets or just rely on careful placement? As for settling, I’ve only checked a couple spots after a year and didn’t notice much, but now you’ve got me wondering if I should poke around more. Have you ever had to top up blown-in cellulose after a few years?
I end up spending way too much time trying to tuck insulation around them without leaving gaps or compressing it too much.
Same here, those boxes are the worst. I tried the foam gaskets on a couple outlets—honestly, they helped a bit with drafts but didn’t make the install any easier. Haven’t had to top up cellulose yet, but I’m kinda paranoid about settling too. Might just be overthinking it, though...
I tried the foam gaskets on a couple outlets—honestly, they helped a bit with drafts but didn’t make the install any easier.
- Totally agree, the gaskets are just a bandaid for air leaks, not a magic fix for tricky boxes.
- I’ve found using low-expansion spray foam around the edges helps, but it’s messy and you have to be careful not to overdo it.
- Cellulose settling freaks me out too, but I read that if it’s dense-packed, it shouldn’t drop much over time—anyone actually had to add more after a few years?
- Curious if anyone’s tried those airtight electrical boxes—are they worth the hassle?
Tried those airtight boxes on a bathroom reno last year—honestly, they’re a pain to fit if your framing isn’t perfect, but they do cut down on drafts. I still ended up using a bit of caulk around the edges just to be sure. As for cellulose, mine’s been in for about six years and I haven’t noticed any settling, but it was dense-packed. The spray foam trick works, but yeah, it gets everywhere if you’re not careful... learned that the hard way.
“The spray foam trick works, but yeah, it gets everywhere if you’re not careful... learned that the hard way.”
Man, the first time I used spray foam, I swear I spent more time cleaning my hands than actually insulating. That stuff finds its way everywhere. I hear you on the airtight boxes too—if your studs are even a hair off, it’s like wrestling a greased pig. I’ve started keeping a tube of caulk on standby just in case. Interesting about your cellulose not settling. I’ve seen it sag in a couple older jobs, but maybe dense-pack’s the secret sauce.