"Also, don't underestimate the power of duct tape around your ankles too—fiberglass fibers have a sneaky way of getting everywhere."
Couldn't agree more on the duct tape tip. Learned that one after spending a weekend scratching my ankles raw—lesson definitely learned. Another thing I found helpful was using disposable coveralls. They're cheap enough at hardware stores, and you can just toss them afterward instead of risking contamination in the laundry.
One thing I'm curious about though: has anyone here tried switching to mineral wool insulation instead? I've heard it's less itchy and easier to handle, but haven't personally used it yet. Wondering if the extra cost is justified by the comfort factor alone. Fiberglass does the job, sure, but if there's a less irritating alternative that's equally effective, I'd seriously consider it next time around.
Mineral wool's definitely less itchy in my experience, but it's also heavier and a bit trickier to cut cleanly. I found myself going through utility knife blades way faster than expected. On the plus side, it fits snugly into spaces without sagging as much as fiberglass. Comfort-wise, it's a noticeable upgrade, but whether that's worth the extra cost...I'm still on the fence. Has anyone noticed a difference in noise insulation between the two?
Noise-wise, honestly haven't noticed much difference between mineral wool and fiberglass. If soundproofing's your priority, maybe look into acoustic drywall or resilient channels instead—might give you better bang for your buck.
Gotta say, I hear you on the acoustic drywall and resilient channels—they definitely help—but I wouldn't totally dismiss mineral wool just yet. Fiberglass and mineral wool might seem similar noise-wise at first glance, but in my experience, mineral wool does edge out fiberglass slightly, especially if you're dealing with lower-frequency sounds (think traffic rumble or your neighbor's questionable music taste...). Plus, mineral wool has the added bonus of being more eco-friendly—less nasty chemicals and easier on the planet overall.
That said, if you're really serious about soundproofing, it's usually a combo deal. Acoustic drywall alone won't magically silence everything, and resilient channels can be finicky to install correctly (trust me, learned that the hard way). But pairing them with mineral wool insulation? Now that's a sweater worth knitting for your house. Just my two cents from someone who's spent way too many weekends chasing down mysterious noises.
Interesting points about mineral wool—I hadn't really thought about the eco-friendly angle before. I'm currently in the early stages of planning my own renovation, and honestly, the more I read, the more overwhelmed I get. I was initially leaning towards fiberglass just because it's cheaper and seems easier to find locally, but now you've got me reconsidering...
One thing I'm curious about though—how noticeable is the difference between fiberglass and mineral wool in real-world terms? Like, if I'm just trying to block out typical neighborhood noise (dogs barking, lawnmowers, occasional loud music), is mineral wool really worth the extra cost and hassle? Or is it more of a subtle improvement you'd only notice if you're specifically listening for it?
Also, you mentioned resilient channels being tricky to install. I've watched a few YouTube videos, and it seems straightforward enough, but now I'm second-guessing myself. Is it something a DIY newbie could realistically handle, or should I just bite the bullet and hire someone who knows what they're doing? Last thing I want is to spend all that time and money only to realize I messed something up and have to redo it.
Appreciate any insights—this whole soundproofing thing feels like a rabbit hole I wasn't prepared to dive into, haha.
