Totally agree on the spray foam DIY mess factor. I gave it a shot last summer thinking, "How hard could it be?" Famous last words, right? 😂 Ended up spending more time scraping foam off my arms and tools than actually insulating. The pros definitely have better gear and technique—plus, they don't end up looking like marshmallow monsters afterward.
As for denim insulation, I helped a buddy install some in his garage a couple years back. It's nice to handle compared to fiberglass (no itchy nightmare), and it's eco-friendly, which is cool. But honestly, the performance seemed just okay. It did dampen sound pretty well, but temperature-wise it didn't seem as effective as traditional options. He ended up adding another layer of rigid foam later because winters were still pretty chilly in there.
One thing I'd say about denim insulation is that you really need to make sure it's installed snugly without gaps or sagging—otherwise you're basically just hanging expensive jeans inside your walls. 😅 Also heard from others that moisture can be an issue if your space isn't properly sealed or ventilated...so that's something to keep in mind.
Personally, after my DIY adventures (and misadventures), I'm leaning toward hiring pros next time around. Sometimes saving your sanity is worth the extra cash.
Your denim insulation experience sounds pretty familiar. I gave it a shot in my basement last fall, and you're spot-on about installation being key. I spent ages making sure every piece fit snugly between studs—honestly, it felt like doing a giant puzzle. But once it was in, the sound dampening was noticeable right away, which was great since my kids use the space as their hangout zone.
Temperature-wise though...yeah, I noticed the same thing. It wasn't terrible, but definitely not as cozy as I'd hoped. Ended up adding some rigid foam panels later too, which helped quite a bit. Moisture hasn't been an issue yet, but I'm keeping an eye on it since I've heard similar concerns.
And your spray foam story—been there! I still have a hoodie with permanent foam patches from my first DIY attempt...lesson learned, haha. Hiring pros next time seems like the way to go for me too. Sometimes the extra cost is worth avoiding the headache and mess.
"Temperature-wise though...yeah, I noticed the same thing. It wasn't terrible, but definitely not as cozy as I'd hoped."
Yeah, denim insulation is great for sound dampening, but I've found it pretty limited as a standalone thermal barrier. I've had better luck combining it with a vapor barrier and some careful air sealing around windows and doors. The rigid foam panels you mentioned are a solid addition—especially if you tape the seams carefully to prevent air leaks.
One thing I've been curious about lately is cellulose insulation blown into wall cavities. I've read it's eco-friendly, affordable, and pretty effective thermally, but I'm hesitant about moisture management. Has anyone here tried cellulose insulation in a basement or other moisture-prone areas? Would love to hear how it holds up over time...
I've used cellulose insulation a few times, but honestly, I'd steer clear of it in basements or anywhere moisture might be an issue. Had a client a couple years back who insisted on blown-in cellulose for their finished basement walls because they'd read about the eco-friendly benefits. We did everything by the book—proper vapor barriers, careful sealing around windows and doors—but after about two years, they started noticing a musty smell. Turns out there was some minor seepage behind one wall (nothing major, just typical basement moisture), and the cellulose had absorbed enough moisture to start molding. Ended up having to rip it all out and redo with rigid foam panels instead.
Don't get me wrong, cellulose is great stuff in dry areas—attics, upper floors, interior walls—but basements are tricky. Even with good vapor barriers and sealing, moisture has a sneaky way of finding its way in eventually. If you're set on using something eco-friendly down there, maybe look into mineral wool? I've had decent luck with it in damp areas since it's naturally resistant to mold and moisture.
Curious though...has anyone here tried spray foam insulation in their basement? I've heard mixed things about off-gassing and long-term durability, but clients who've gone that route seem pretty happy overall.
"Even with good vapor barriers and sealing, moisture has a sneaky way of finding its way in eventually."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself. Tried spray foam in our basement about three years ago—no mold issues yet, but the off-gassing smell lingered longer than expected... something to consider if you're sensitive to odors.
