Sheep’s wool sounds tempting, but I still worry about critters, even with good sealing.
Funny you mention that—I've actually used sheep’s wool in a couple of attic conversions, and honestly, critters haven’t been any more of an issue than with fiberglass. Maybe it’s all about how tight you seal things up? I’m more concerned about the wiring headaches. Did you end up running new circuits or just splitting off the old ones? I always push for dedicated lines, but sometimes folks balk at the extra cost. Worth it in the long run, though, especially if you’re adding heat or AC.
Dedicated lines are definitely smart, but yeah, the cost can creep up fast. I get why folks hesitate—every “little” upgrade seems to snowball. Still, splitting off old circuits always makes me nervous, especially if you’re adding anything with a real draw like heat.
“I always push for dedicated lines, but sometimes folks balk at the extra cost.”
Honestly, paying a bit more upfront is better than dealing with tripped breakers or worse down the line. For what it’s worth, your experience with sheep’s wool is reassuring. I’ve been tempted but always pictured a mouse hotel up there… maybe I’m overthinking it.
I hear you on the cost—dedicated lines aren’t cheap, but they really do save headaches later. I’ve seen too many attic conversions where folks tried to “make do” with old wiring, and it never ends well. As for sheep’s wool, I had the same concern about critters, but honestly, I’ve never had an issue. Maybe it depends on the region or how well things are sealed up. Either way, I’d take a little extra up front over patching problems down the road.
I’ll never forget the first attic I turned into a bedroom—my own, back in ’09. I thought I could get away with leaving the old knob-and-tube wiring since “it still worked,” but two months later, half the outlets were dead and I was tracing wires through insulation at midnight. Ended up ripping it all out and running new lines anyway. Lesson learned: shortcuts always come back to bite you.
Sheep’s wool is funny, though. My neighbor swore up and down that critters would nest in it, but I’ve only ever seen mice go for fiberglass or the old cellulose stuff. Maybe it’s just luck, or maybe the wool’s not as appetizing as folks think. Either way, I’d rather spend a little more upfront and sleep easy than deal with mystery smells or flickering lights down the line. Attic conversions are a pain, but when you do it right, they’re worth every headache.
Yeah, I hear you on the wiring. I’ve seen folks try to “save” the old stuff and it always ends in headaches or, worse, a call to me when something starts sparking. As for sheep’s wool, I’ve used it a couple times—never had critters go for it either. Maybe the mice have expensive taste and prefer that pink fiberglass? Either way, doing it right the first time is way less stressful than tearing things apart later. Attic conversions are a bear, but when you’re lying in bed up there and it’s quiet and cozy, you forget all about the hassle.
