I totally get what you mean about old houses keeping us on our toes. I once worked on a 1915 bungalow where every wall was a different surprise—some spots had horsehair insulation, others just dust. Honestly, sometimes patching with foam is the only way to keep your sanity. But I do think a little mess is worth it for the charm these places have... even if it means shaving down foam blobs at midnight.
I hear you on the foam—sometimes it feels like the only thing standing between me and a total meltdown. But I gotta say, I’ve started leaning more toward cellulose or even sheep’s wool in these old places. Yeah, it’s messier up front, but at least you’re not breathing in weird chemicals or worrying about blobs oozing out of every crack. Plus, there’s something kinda satisfying about stuffing a wall with recycled denim... way more fun than wrestling with a spray can at 2am.
Honestly, I get where you're coming from—foam can be a nightmare in old houses with all those weird gaps and unexpected leaks. Cellulose is definitely less toxic, and it fills irregular spaces better than you'd think. Sheep’s wool is cool too, though I always wonder about moisture issues if you’ve got any dampness in the walls. Denim’s fun to work with, just wish it was cheaper... Either way, you’re right: wrestling with foam at 2am is never as easy as the videos make it look.
I get the love for cellulose, but I’ve gotta say, I tried it in our attic and the dust was wild—ended up sneezing for days. The cost was better than foam though, I’ll give you that. I actually went old-school in one room and used layered cardboard and scrap fabric. Not perfect, but it kept the drafts out and barely cost a thing. Sometimes I think we overthink it—half the battle is just plugging those weird gaps, no matter what you use.
I totally get what you mean about plugging gaps with whatever’s handy. I once used old yoga mats and even a couple of beach towels to seal up a drafty crawlspace—looked ridiculous, but it worked for a while. I do wonder, though, how long that kind of patchwork holds up compared to the “real” stuff. Anyone ever gone back after a year or two and checked if their DIY solutions are still doing the trick?
