Insulation really is a game changer, but I’ll admit, I tried to cheap out at first. Regret that now.
Same story here—mine turned into a sauna in July and an icebox by January. I still wonder if there’s a way to save on costs without sacrificing comfort, though. Anyone ever tried those DIY insulation kits? I’m curious if they’re worth the hassle or just end up being more work than they’re worth. Soundproofing’s another one… didn’t realize how loud squirrels could be until I started sleeping up there.“my attic bedroom was basically unusable until I redid the insulation.”
“mine turned into a sauna in July and an icebox by January”
Yeah, that’s exactly it. I tried one of those spray foam kits last winter—honestly, it was messier than I expected. Saved a few bucks but I probably spent double the time cleaning up and still missed a couple spots. The room’s better now, but not perfect. If you’re patient and don’t mind crawling around up there, it can work, but it’s not as easy as YouTube makes it look.
Soundproofing is a whole other headache. I thought I was just dealing with weather, but turns out, squirrels sound like they’re bowling up there. Ended up stuffing some rock wool in the worst spots and it helped a bit, but I still hear them sometimes. If I had to do it again, I’d probably just save up and pay someone who knows what they’re doing. Cutting corners didn’t really pay off for me, but hey, live and learn...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I think a lot of the DIY headaches come down to prep and the right materials. I’ve seen folks have great results with rigid foam panels instead of spray—less mess, easier to cut to fit tight spots, and you can seal the seams with tape or spray foam after. For soundproofing, it’s true nothing’s perfect, but layering drywall with green glue between sheets can make a huge difference. It’s not always cheap, but if you plan it out and take your time, you can get close to pro results without totally breaking the bank. Just my two cents...
I’ve actually been through the attic conversion rollercoaster myself. You’re spot on about prep making all the difference—my first attempt was a mess because I skimped on sealing up gaps before insulating. Ended up with a drafty “bedroom” that felt more like a treehouse in November. Second time around, I used reclaimed rigid foam (scored it from a demo site), taped every seam, and it’s been cozy ever since. The green glue trick for soundproofing is gold, too—my teenager can blast music and I barely hear it downstairs. It’s definitely not hassle-free, but with patience and the right materials, it’s doable... and honestly, kind of satisfying when you pull it off.
Yeah, sealing those gaps is a game changer. I learned the hard way too—thought a thick layer of insulation would be enough, but nope, cold air found every little crack. Haven’t tried green glue yet, but now I’m curious... might be worth it for my next flip.
