Totally agree with you on the prep and installation part. I've seen people blame insulation types when the real issue was moisture control or poor sealing. We used denim insulation in our attic conversion a couple years back, and honestly, it's been great—quiet, cozy, and no weird smells or mold issues. But we were super careful about ventilation and sealing gaps beforehand. Seems like insulation is only as good as the prep work behind it...
That's a solid point about prep work. I've had clients insist on pricier insulation thinking it'll solve everything, but if the sealing and moisture barriers aren't done right, it's just money down the drain. Had a project last year where the homeowner was skeptical about fiberglass batts because of mold horror stories online. Turned out their attic vents were blocked, trapping moisture. Once we sorted ventilation, even standard fiberglass did fine—no mold or dampness since. Glad your denim insulation worked out; good prep really does pay off in the long run.
Exactly—seen that happen way too often. People jump straight to premium insulation thinking it's a magic fix, but ventilation and sealing are the real heroes. Had a basement reno once where the owner insisted on spray foam everywhere... turned out their gutter downspouts were dumping water right at the foundation. Fixing that was way cheaper than foam, lol.
Totally agree, people underestimate the basics way too often. Had a similar issue with a flip—owner thought moisture was seeping through walls, but turns out their landscaping sloped right toward the house... quick grading fix and problem solved. Cheaper and easier than foam for sure.
"Had a similar issue with a flip—owner thought moisture was seeping through walls, but turns out their landscaping sloped right toward the house... quick grading fix and problem solved."
This reminds me of when I helped my brother-in-law with his basement. He was convinced he needed expensive waterproofing because every heavy rain left puddles inside. After taking a closer look, we realized his downspouts were dumping water directly against the foundation. A simple extension to direct water away from the house did wonders—no more leaks, no costly waterproofing needed.
It's amazing how often people overlook basic drainage and grading issues. Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best, and it pays to step back and reassess before diving into complicated fixes. Glad your storm shelter passed inspection smoothly; always reassuring to have that peace of mind.
