- Had the same debate when we redid our 1920s attic.
- Cellulose was way easier on the wallet, but yeah, it’s draft city up there some days.
- Spray foam looked like a nightmare to install, but my neighbor swears by it—she calls her attic “the cocoon.”
- Honestly, I’d take a little chaos if it meant not waking up freezing in January... but I do love saving a few bucks.
- Guess it’s just one of those trade-offs with these old houses—comfort vs. character (and maybe a few cold toes).
I hear you on the trade-offs. When we tackled our attic (1935, drafty as a barn), I went with dense-pack cellulose because the price was right and I figured I could always add more later. But man, those winter mornings... you really feel every gap in the old rafters. My buddy did spray foam and his place is toasty, but he had to move out for a week because of the fumes. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the hassle—especially when you’re halfway through hauling drywall up that tiny staircase and questioning your life choices. Still, there’s something satisfying about making those old spaces livable, even if your toes go numb now and then.
I keep going back and forth on this too. Is it really worth dumping a bunch of money into spray foam if you’re not planning to stay forever? I mean, I get the appeal of a warm attic, but those costs add up fast. Did you notice a big difference in your heating bills after the cellulose? I’m always wondering if the extra comfort is worth the upfront pain, or if it’s smarter to just layer up and save the cash for something else.
I get where you’re coming from. Spray foam’s upfront cost is no joke, especially if you’re not sure how long you’ll be there. I went with dense-pack cellulose in my last place and honestly, the bills dropped a bit, but not dramatically. The comfort was better though—no more weird cold drafts. Did you look into air sealing before insulating? Sometimes that makes a bigger difference than just piling on more insulation.
I’m curious—did you notice any issues with moisture after using cellulose? I’ve heard stories about dense-pack getting funky if there’s not enough air sealing. Also, did you see any impact on resale value from the upgrade, or was it more of a comfort thing?
