Totally get what you mean about the curtains.
Same here—those drafts just found their way in anyway. Sealing up rafters with spray foam really is a game changer, even if the electric bill creeps up a bit. Sometimes you’ve gotta pick comfort over a few extra bucks, especially if you actually want to use the space.I tried them over my old garage windows and still felt the chill.
Spray foam is like the duct tape of insulation—fixes everything except maybe your wallet. I did the same in my attic conversion and yeah, the bill went up, but at least I’m not sleeping in a meat locker anymore. Did you run into any weird surprises once you started sealing things up? I found a squirrel stash in my rafters... not exactly the “bonus storage” I was hoping for.
I found a squirrel stash in my rafters... not exactly the “bonus storage” I was hoping for.
That’s a classic. I once found a whole collection of golf balls and a single, very old sandwich—guess the previous “tenants” had eclectic tastes. As for surprises, air sealing turned up some ancient wiring that looked like it belonged in a museum. Worth the hassle? If you’re adding livable square footage, it usually pays off, but yeah, your wallet might need its own insulation after spray foam.
Had a similar “bonus” when I opened up an attic in a flip—found a pile of acorns, a bird’s nest, and a stack of old newspapers from the ‘70s. The surprises never end. Turning that space into a bedroom was a pain, honestly. Between weird wiring, uneven floors, and insulation costs, it ate up more budget than I planned. Still, resale value jumped, so I can’t complain too much... but I wouldn’t call it easy money. Sometimes it feels like you’re just paying to fix someone else’s shortcuts.
Definitely hear you on the “fixing someone else’s shortcuts” part—seems like every attic or garage conversion comes with its own set of surprises. In my experience:
- Insulation and HVAC are always bigger headaches (and costs) than people expect.
- Uneven floors can be a real budget killer, especially in older homes.
- Permitting can get tricky if the space wasn’t originally meant for living.
That said, I’ve seen conversions add serious value, but only when done right. If you cut corners, buyers notice. Personally, I always pad the budget and timeline for these projects... and even then, it’s rarely “easy money.”
