Totally get where you're coming from—spray foam can be intimidating, especially if you're new to homeownership (like me). I've been leaning toward cellulose too, mostly because it seems easier to manage if something goes sideways. Have you found sealing attic penetrations makes a big difference in energy bills? I'm still figuring out all these little tricks, so it's reassuring to hear others have had success with simpler methods...
Cellulose definitely has its perks, but honestly, spray foam isn't as intimidating as it seems once you've seen it done a few times. I've worked on a few roofs now, and the difference in air sealing with spray foam is pretty noticeable. Cellulose is great for insulation value, sure, but it doesn't really stop airflow like foam does. Sealing attic penetrations helps a lot, no doubt, but if you're looking at long-term energy savings, spray foam usually edges out cellulose because it seals and insulates in one step.
That said, I get the hesitation—spray foam can be messy if you're not careful, and it's more expensive upfront. But I've seen homeowners surprised by how much their energy bills drop after switching to foam, especially in older homes with lots of gaps and cracks. Might be worth reconsidering if your attic has those tricky spots that are hard to seal with caulk or weatherstripping alone. Just my two cents from what I've seen on the job...
"Cellulose is great for insulation value, sure, but it doesn't really stop airflow like foam does."
Yeah, that's spot-on. I inspected a house last winter where the homeowner had recently switched from cellulose to spray foam in the attic. Before the switch, they were constantly complaining about drafts and uneven heating—especially upstairs bedrooms. After the foam went in, they said it was like night and day. I could actually feel the difference myself when I was up there checking things out.
But I'll admit, I've also seen spray foam jobs go sideways when people try DIY without proper prep or experience. One homeowner ended up with foam expanding into places it shouldn't have—blocking vents and even damaging some wiring. So yeah, it's effective stuff, but definitely not foolproof if you're not careful. If you're comfortable with it or have someone experienced doing the work, though, it's hard to beat for sealing up those tricky spots.
- Agree foam seals way better, but cellulose can still do the job if installed dense enough.
- Seen older homes with packed cellulose holding up pretty good—just gotta make sure it's done right.
- Foam's great, but like you said, DIY foam disasters are no joke...
"Seen older homes with packed cellulose holding up pretty good—just gotta make sure it's done right."
Yeah, I've come across a few older attics during inspections where dense-packed cellulose was surprisingly solid after years. But you're spot on about installation quality—seen some rushed jobs that settled unevenly, leaving cold spots and moisture issues down the line. Foam's awesome when done professionally, but man, those DIY foam horror stories... ever seen someone accidentally seal off their attic ventilation? Not pretty.
