“I probably spent more on caulk than I did on my first car.”
That line made me laugh—been there, done that. I once tried to turn an attic into a bedroom for a flip, thinking it’d be a quick value-add. Ended up fighting drafts and weird angles for weeks. It looked great in photos, but the heating bill was wild. If you’re set on converting, invest in real insulation and maybe a mini-split. Otherwise, yeah, sheds are way less headache.
I hear you on the insulation—skimping there just isn’t worth it, especially if you’re in a climate with real winters. I’ve seen folks try to get away with just spray foam in the rafters, but it rarely solves the comfort issues long-term. Curious if anyone’s tried using reclaimed materials for these conversions? I’ve had mixed luck with recycled denim insulation—works well, but it’s not always easy to source. Wondering if there are other eco-friendly options that actually perform in those tricky attic spaces.
Reclaimed materials are a solid idea, but honestly, sourcing enough of the good stuff can be a pain. I’ve tried cellulose made from recycled newspaper in an attic conversion—dense-packed it between the rafters. It handled the weird angles better than batts and did a decent job with sound too. Downside: you need to be meticulous about air sealing, or you’ll get drafts no matter what insulation you use. Denim’s nice, but yeah, finding enough is hit or miss. If you’re after eco-friendly and reliable, I’d look into mineral wool—recycled content, fire resistant, and it actually fits those awkward spaces pretty well. Just my two cents...
Mineral wool’s been my go-to lately too—cuts easy, doesn’t itch as much as fiberglass, and it’s solid for fire safety. I will say, though, it can get pricey depending on the brand. Ever tried mixing types? Sometimes I’ll use leftover rigid foam in the worst corners... works in a pinch.
I get the appeal of mineral wool, especially for fire safety, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results with mixing insulation types. Once tried patching in some foam board where the joists were weirdly spaced—ended up with a few cold spots that drove me nuts. Maybe it’s just my luck, but I’ve found sticking to one material gives a more even finish, especially if you’re turning an attic into a bedroom where comfort matters. The price tag stings, but I’d rather pay a bit more than deal with drafts later.
