I tried denim insulation in my attic a couple years back—here's my quick take:
- Installation was definitely easier on the skin and lungs compared to fiberglass. Big plus.
- Comfort-wise, I honestly didn't notice a huge difference compared to traditional insulation. Temps stayed pretty consistent.
- Heating bills dropped slightly, but nothing dramatic enough to offset the higher upfront cost quickly.
- Long-term, though, I appreciated the peace-of-mind factor knowing it's eco-friendly and safe.
Overall, I'd say it's more of a long-game investment than an immediate money saver.
Good to hear your experience lined up with mine. I went with denim insulation in our basement last year, and yeah, the install was way less itchy and dusty—my lungs thanked me for sure. Didn't see huge savings right away either, but honestly, sometimes it's about more than just immediate cost recovery. Knowing we're using something safer and greener felt pretty good.
Also, a buddy of mine did a similar eco-friendly insulation swap a few years back, and he mentioned noticing the savings gradually improve over time. So maybe give it a bit longer—you might still see better returns down the road. Either way, sounds like you made a solid choice overall.
"Didn't see huge savings right away either, but honestly, sometimes it's about more than just immediate cost recovery."
Yeah, I get the appeal of denim insulation—definitely easier on the skin and lungs. But from my experience, if energy efficiency and quick ROI are top priorities, spray foam insulation tends to outperform most eco-friendly alternatives. Did a reno last year where the homeowners insisted on denim at first, but after some number crunching and talking it through, they ended up choosing spray foam. Not as "green," admittedly, but the energy savings kicked in noticeably faster. Just something else to consider...
Totally see your point about spray foam—can't deny it delivers quick results. But I still think denim insulation has its merits beyond just the immediate savings. I helped my brother install denim insulation at his place a couple years back, and yeah, the initial numbers didn't blow us away, but the comfort factor was noticeable right off the bat. The rooms felt quieter and warmer, and he liked knowing it was recycled material. Plus, installation was way less messy and itchy compared to fiberglass or foam.
I guess it comes down to priorities. If you're looking strictly at ROI and energy efficiency, spray foam probably wins out. But if comfort, ease of handling, and environmental impact matter to you...denim can still be worth the hassle in the long run. Just my two cents from experience.
I had a similar experience when renovating my attic a few years ago—went with denim insulation mostly for the eco-friendly aspect. Honestly, the quieter rooms alone made it worth it, even if the energy savings weren't groundbreaking. Sometimes comfort and peace of mind outweigh pure numbers...
