Cost of Attic Blown in Insulation
| Attic Blown in Insulation Costs | Zip Code | Sq. ft. | |
| Attic Blown in Insulation – Material Pri ... | $40.00 - $45.00 | $50.00 - $55.00 | $60.00 - $75.00 |
| Attic Blown in Insulation – Installation ... | $115.00 - $125.00 | $145.00 - $160.00 | $175.00 - $195.00 |
| Attic Blown in Insulation – Total | $155.00 - $170.00 | $195.00 - $215.00 | $235.00 - $270.00 |
| Attic Blown in Insulation – Total Averag ... | $1.63 | $2.05 | $2.52 |
How much does blown-in insulation usually cost?
Blown-In Insulation Cost Per Square Foot. Pre-installation prices for the most common types of blown-in insulation are $0.83 per square foot for Cellulose, and $0.91 per square foot for Fiberglass.
How much does it cost to blow in attic insulation?
The cost of blown-in insulation averages $1.65 to $3.80 a square foot. Total costs vary due to how many inches of insulation, material, and where it is going. Typically, in-wall insulation can only use about 5 inches of material at once, but you can use up to 18 inches of material on an attic floor.
How much blown insulation do I Need?
- Measure the outside of your home.
- The interior attic space may differ (e.g., additions, varying levels of insulation). Separate into smaller spaces from the largest area.
- Multiply the length and width of each area.
- (A + B + C) ÷ 144 = total square footage.
How to dispose of a blown in insulation correctly?
- Recruit a helper. Someone needs to load the bags of insulation into the blower, which will remain on the floor below, while the other person distributes the insulation via a ...
- Don protective gear. ...
- Never stand on joists. ...
- Box-off electrical boxes and recessed can lights. ...
- Use battery-operated lights to see into dark corners. ...
Is blown-in insulation worth it?
Unless your home is relatively new, you will almost certainly benefit from installing blown insulation in your attic. It will make your home a more comfortable place to be in summer and winter, decrease the cost of your energy bills, and increase the value of your home.
How much does it cost to insulate a $2000 sq ft house?
Cost to Insulate a HouseHome Insulation CostsNational average cost$4,500Average range$3,000-$7,000Low-end$2,000High-end$30,000Jan 24, 2022
How much blown-in insulation do I need for 1000 sq ft?
On the insulation manufacturers label on every bag you'll find that for an R-25 you'll need 28 bags per 1000 sq ft. So if you have 2100 sq ft, take 28 x 2 = 56 bags for 2000 sq ft.
How much does it cost to insulate an attic with cellulose?
Cellulose: A more eco-friendly material made of recycled newspaper and cardboard, cellulose insulation costs about $0.33 per square foot, which equates to about $160 in material costs for a 500-square foot attic.
Which is better blown in insulation or batting?
Generally, we don't recommend installing batts in the attic—blown insulation can fill the space better for more energy-efficient performance.
Is spray foam better than fiberglass insulation?
Spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass, making it a better insulator. Another difference between them is that spray foam is watertight while fiberglass cracks under moisture. However, installing spray foam requires a professional while fiberglass is easy to install yourself.
Is blown-in insulation cheaper than rolls?
Blown-in insulation is typically more expensive than rolled insulation. However, this difference isn't by that much. Blow-in insulation can cost between $1 to $1.50 per square foot. Rolled insulation, on the other hand, can be purchased for well under $1 per square foot.
Can you put too much blown insulation in your attic?
Can you over insulate your attic? The answer is yes! Past a certain point, insulation in a vented attic will do more harm than good. In most of the United States, achieving an R-Value of 38 is more than sufficient.
How thick should blown-in insulation be?
When blown into attics and wall spaces, loose-fill fiberglass offers an average R-2.5 thermal value per inch (the higher the number, the greater the insulating effect). You'd need a thickness of about 7.5 inches of insulation to match the insulating value of a batt of R-19 insulation (R-19 is a common batt value).
How long does it take to install blown-in insulation?
Because it is usually done by a professional crew, blow-in insulation is usually somewhat more costly. Expect to pay $40 to $70 per hour for professional installation. An attic usually takes four to five hours, total, including set-up and break-down.
Is spray foam insulation better than blown insulation?
Between spray foam and blown-in cellulose, which is better? Both spray foam and blown-in cellulose insulation have their advantages. Spray foam has a higher R-value, so it's the more effective insulator.
What is the cheapest blown-in insulation?
FiberglassFiberglass is the least expensive option and runs about $0.50 to $1.10 per square foot, while cellulose comes in around $0.60 to $2.30 per square foot, with wet-spray cellulose at the top of that price range. Rock wool insulation ranges from $1.40 to $2.10 per square foot.
How much does it cost to drywall a 2000 square foot house?
For example, a house with 2,000 square feet of floor space and eight foot high ceilings may require anywhere between 8,000 and 9,000 square feet of drywall.
How much does it cost to insulate an existing house?
The average cost of home insulation is between $3,000 and $10,000 for a 2,000 square foot home or between $1.50 and $5.00 per square foot.
How do I estimate the cost of insulation?
Insulation cost is measured per board foot, which is 1 square foot by 1 inch thick. Expect to pay between $0.25 and $2 per inch of thickness per square foot (one board foot) or $1 to $5 per square foot.
How long does it take to insulate a home?
In general, it can take anywhere from five hours to 12 hours to insulate the average new home. Other factors can influence how long this job will take: the home's square footage. accessibility of the areas being insulated.
How much does it cost to install blown in insulation?
As a general rule of thumb, the cost to install blown-in insulation is between $1.00 and $1.50 per square foot. Therefore, if you have a space that is 500 square feet, it will cost you between $500 and $750.
How much does cellulose insulation cost?
However, blown-in cellulose is more expensive than fiberglass (as the table above shows). Cellulose insulation costs between $0.60 and $2.30 per square foot , resulting in a cost of $30 to $40 per bag. Cellulose insulation comes in damp-spray or dense packs. The costs of these are below:
What is fiberglass insulation?
Fiberglass is made of small strands of glass; it is the most common material for rolls and batts for insulation. It combines a low price point with a high level of insulation. Fiberglass has some of the highest R-values commercially available for blown-in insulation. The traditional standard insulation is fiberglass.
What is R value in insulation?
The ‘R’ stands for resistance, or the amount that a material is able to prevent the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. For more information see our guide What is Insulation R-value? At different R-values , the cost of materials and labor increases, thereby increasing the final cost. The table below gives a breakdown of this.
Can you use spray foam insulation in a crawl space?
Parts of your home such as the basement or crawl space will not work with blown-in insulation and will be better suited to spray foam insulation or specially-treated fiberglass batts. However, in the upper parts of your home, blown-in insulation is a non-invasive way to up the level of insulation you have.
Is blown in insulation a form of insulation?
Blown-in insulation, therefore, is a supplemental form of insulation, unlike fiberglass rolls or batts. This changes the nature of financial decision-making. Since it’s not essential to have blown-in insulation, you can decide to install it as and when your financial situation is right to do so.
Is fiberglass insulation the densest?
This, therefore, reflects the fact that fiberglass is the densest material, and will also provide the lowest running costs. For $1,500 of costs, you can install R-13 of standard cellulose blown-in insulation, ...
What Is Blown-In Insulation?
Blown-in insulation is a loose, fluffy material typically made of fiberglass, cellulose, or rockwool. All three types of insulation come densely packed in large bags that the installer feeds into a blower machine.
Factors in Calculating Blown-In Insulation Cost
While $1,507 is the national average for having a home insulated with blown-in insulation, the final cost will vary based on several factors, including which type of insulation the homeowner selects and the going rate of labor in the community.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Adding insulation in new-construction houses is relatively straightforward, but in existing homes, the installer may run into issues that will increase the project’s overall cost.
Blown-In Insulation Cost Types
The different types of insulation suitable for use with a blowing machine are all helpful in adding thermal reduction value to a home, but they run different prices. Before selecting a material to have an installer blow into your attic or existing walls, it’s a good idea to find out more about each one. Your installer may recommend a specific type.
Benefits of Blown-In Insulation
Blown-in insulation offers several benefits, including increased comfort in a home’s living area due to reduced outdoor heat and cold transfer. In addition, adding insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs, help protect the home’s structure, and increase the home’s value.
Blown-In Insulation Cost: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Bags of dense fiberglass, cellulose, or rockwool insulation are sold in home improvement centers, and if you purchase a minimum number of bags, some centers will let you use a blowing machine for free. Alternatively, renting a blowing machine runs about $100 to $200 for 24 hours.
How to Save Money on Blown-In Insulation Cost
Having insulation blown in runs most homeowners about $1,507, but savings on energy costs will immediately offset the investment, and the indoor climate will be more comfortable. Still, most would like to save some money on the cost of installation, and the following tips can help.
What Is Blown-In Insulation?
Blown-in insulation is a loose-fill material blown via machine into otherwise uninsulated cavities. Blown-in insulation is one of the many material types that can be used to insulate a home. It comes in three basic types - fiberglass, cellulose, and rockwool. Cellulose can be further broken down into two categories - wet spray and dense pack.
Blown-In Insulation Cost by Type of Installation
Most blown-in insulation is added to existing homes. The material means it is easier to blow it into existing spaces, adding insulation to places that batts or spray foam have a hard time reaching. You can use blown-in insulation in some areas of new construction.
Cost of Blown-In Insulation per Square Foot
The cost of blown-in insulation averages $1.65 to $3.80 a square foot. Total costs vary due to how many inches of insulation, material, and where it is going. Typically, in-wall insulation can only use about 5 inches of material at once, but you can use up to 18 inches of material on an attic floor.
Average Cost of Blown-In Insulation by Material
Three materials create blown-in insulation - fiberglass, rockwool, and cellulose. Cellulose can be broken down into two types - wet spray, which is used in vertical applications and exterior walls, and dense pack, which can be used in attics, crawlspaces, and other open areas. Each material has costs, pros, and cons to consider.
How Many Bags of Blown-In Insulation Will You Need?
All blown-in insulation is sold in bags. The number of bags needed to complete a job varies, depending on the square feet you need to cover and the insulation depth. The deeper the insulation, the higher the material’s R-value or insulating factor.
What Is the R-Value of Blown-In Insulation?
R-value measures how well a material resists thermal transfer. The higher the number, the better job it does at insulating. Most materials are given an R-value at 1 inch of thickness. The thicker the amount of material, the better the total R-value. Below are the R-values for each cellulose type when measured at 1 inch in depth.
Blown-In Insulation Cost by Brand
Several manufacturers make blown-in insulation. Some brands make a few insulation types, while others only make one. Each has attributes to consider that may make one the right fit. Below are popular brands and the average cost of their material per square foot.
Do you need a machine to fill insulation?
You need a machine if you want to get the most out of your loose-fill insulation. Luckily, you don’t need to buy a machine for yourself, and they can be rented.
Can you buy blown in insulation by the bag?
It is common to buy blown-in insulation by the bag, and especially if you do it yourself. Some contractors simply charge by the square foot, but others have you buy the required number of bags beforehand. The following chart uses a 1,000 square foot space as an example.
How Much Does Blown-in Attic Insulation Cost?
On average, you can expect to pay between $1.25 to $2.00 per square ft. to install attic insulation and material cost for Cellulose/Fiberglass with a R-value of: r-30 to r-60 insulation will cost between 0.15 to 0.65 cents per square foot. An average-size attic of 1,200 square ft. will usually cost about $1,600-$2,700.
Attic Blown in Insulation – Pricing and Installation Cost Checklist
Get at least 3-5 estimates before hiring an Insulation contractor — estimates are typically free, unless it’s a service call for a repair.
How much insulation do I need for 40 sq ft?
Cellulose insulation is sold most often in bags weighing about 20 pounds that will cover 40 square feet with R19 insulation. So, here’s how much you’ll need to achieve the desired R-value for your zone: R19 –1 bag per 40 square feet (5” deep) R30 –1.5 bags per 40 square feet (7.5” deep)
What is the R value of insulation?
R-value, or resistance value, is a measurement of how resistant material is to heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation value. The US Department of Energy’s Energy Star program details the R-values recommended for each climate zone in the US. The recommended R-values are:
Does attic insulation pay for itself?
If you don’t sell, attic insulation quickly pays for itself through lower energy bills.
The Peculiarities of the Blown-in Insulation
There are different factors that distinguish blown-in insulation from other types of insulation. But I will make a list of the very important ones.
The Uses of the Blown-in Insulation
This is the primary use of Blown-in insulation. It is used to control the transfer of temperature into and out of the home. Like other insulation types, it has an R-value that makes it suitable for certain areas. It, however, has a thinner mass hence, its thermal value is also low.
Tips to executing seamless Blown-in insulation
The process of installing blown-in insulation can not be executed by a single person. Help is needed in filling the blowers with bags of insulation material, while the primary operator distributes the insulation with a long hose.
Installation
A novice DIYer who learns about home ventilation. I am a mechanical engineer and have a basic knowledge of HVAC systems but I learn continuously to make myself the best blogger in that space.
