I’ve wrestled with those zippered dust doors a few times, and honestly, they’re a mixed bag. They do help keep the insulation fluff from drifting into the rest of the house—especially if you’re blowing in cellulose or working with that super-fine fiberglass. But man, if you’re not careful, they can turn into a tripping hazard real fast. I’ve caught my boot on the bottom edge more than once and nearly face-planted into a pile of batts.
If you’re doing a big job and want to keep the mess contained, they’re probably worth it. Just tape down the edges really well and maybe warn anyone else in the house that there’s now an obstacle course in the hallway. I still think nothing beats a good old drop cloth for floors, though... easier to toss out or shake off outside when you’re done. The combo of both is probably overkill unless you’re super picky about dust.
Those dust doors are a pain, but I get why folks use them. For me, keeping the job site clean is about not ticking off tenants or buyers more than anything else. I’ve had contractors blast through an attic in a day, but then you spend another day just cleaning up the aftermath. Out of curiosity, do you guys find it actually speeds things up to do all this prep, or does it just feel like extra work? I always wonder if I’m overthinking it when we’re on a tight timeline.
I hear you on the dust doors. Last time I skipped the prep, my 1920s hallway looked like a haunted house for a week—white footprints everywhere. Honestly, I think the extra setup saves me grief later, even if it feels like overkill in the moment.
Totally get that—skipping dust doors once was enough for me too. Curious, did you find the insulation job itself took longer than expected, or was it mostly the prep and cleanup that dragged things out? I always underestimate the mess...
Honestly, I think the actual insulation install is usually pretty quick—at least compared to all the prep and cleanup. But I wouldn’t say the mess is always underestimated. Sometimes people go overboard with plastic sheeting and end up making more work for themselves. I’ve found that being strategic with where you seal things off saves time and sanity. The worst part for me is always finding stray bits of fiberglass weeks later...