How Much Does Blown-In Insulation Cost to Install?
Typical Range:
$980 - $2,317
Typical Range:
$980 - $2,317
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 16,510 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
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Updated April 17, 2024
Reviewed by Cati O'Keefe, Expert Home Building & Sustainability Contributor.Insulating around wiring or outlets requires a professional, increasing project complexity and costs.
Installing blown-in insulation costs between $600 to $1,200 for a 1,000-square-foot attic, and $1,000 to $1,500 for 1,000 square feet of wall space.
Key cost factors for this project include labor rates, insulation R-value, whether it's new or replacement insulation, and any necessary mold or asbestos remediation.
Popular materials for blown-in insulation are rockwool fiber, cellulose, and fiberglass.
Blown-in insulation offers faster installation, longevity for roofs and shingles, decreased energy bills, elimination of home temperature inconsistencies, and could last up to 100 years.
Highlights were summarized from this existing cost guide text using automation technology and were thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Blown-in insulation costs $1,649, with most homeowners spending between $980 and $2,317. The price you pay will depend on the size of the area, the type of insulation you choose, and if you decide to hire a pro or tackle the project yourself.
You can find blown-in insulation (also called loose fill) for about $1 to $1.50 per square foot. In this guide, learn about the factors that play into home insulation costs and the energy-saving and fire protection benefits.
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
National Average | $1,649 |
Typical Range | $980 - $2,317 |
Low End - High End | $500 - $4,000 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 16,510 HomeAdvisor members.
Blown-in insulation runs from $1 to $1.50 per square foot. Prices are contingent on R-value, the measurement used to determine how much heat will leave your home based on the thickness and quality of the spray insulation.
Your cost per square foot might increase depending on the area you're spraying. For example, adding insulation around electrical wiring or outlets will likely require the help of a pro, potentially exceeding the $1.50 per square foot price.
The cost to insulate an attic with blown-in insulation runs from $600 to $1,200, assuming it’s 1,000 square feet in size, which is standard for many American homes. This includes labor, which costs about $40 to $70 per hour.
The average U.S. household should shoot for a minimum R-value of 30 for blown-in insulation. This equates to 10 to 14 inches of material.
Similarly, it costs about $1,000 to $1,500 to insulate 1,000 square feet of wall space. This job is complex and requires the insulation pro to work around drywall, wiring, outlets, and other structures. For these reasons, it can take several days to complete. Most experts recommend getting professional help for this project.
Here is a breakdown of pricing for blown-in wall insulation based on one manufacturer's specifications:
R-Value | Bags per 1,000 Square Feet | Material Cost |
---|---|---|
R-13 | 13 | $430 |
R-15 | 15 | $500 |
R-21 | 21 | $690 |
R-24 | 19 | $890 |
Choosing different types of blown-in insulation can increase the price based on the costs of raw material to make the insulation, plus different installation time frames. Below are some estimates per square foot.
Type of Insulation | Material Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Fiberglass | $0.50 – $1.10 |
Dense-Pack Cellulose | $2.00 – $2.30 |
Rockwool Fiber | $1.40 – $2.10 |
Wet Blown-in Cellulose | $0.60 – $1.80 |
Made from rock and slag fibers, Rockwool fiber is slightly more expensive than cellulose. Also called “mineral wool,” it costs $1.40 to $2.10 per square foot.
Here are some benefits of mineral wool:
Great acoustic control
Naturally repels pests
Noncombustible
Highly heat insulative
Repels moisture
Easy DIY project
Sustainable and recyclable
Blown-in cellulose is often more expensive than fiberglass and costs about $1.20 per square foot. The cellulose insulation cost per bag is typically around $30 to $40. It consists of recycled materials like newspaper and cardboard. The higher the R-value, the more you’ll pay for each project. Cellulose insulation comes in damp-spray and dense-pack options.
While damp-spray cellulose doesn't appear as tightly pressed to walls as dense-pack, each material is rated similarly in terms of its insulation abilities. The difference often comes down to the manufacturer or insulation company you choose.
Material | Cost per Square Foot | Ideal Project |
---|---|---|
Wet-Spray Cellulose | $0.60 – $1.80 | New construction |
Dense-Pack Cellulose | $2.00 – $2.30 | Remodeling |
Damp-spray insulation runs from $0.60 to $1.80 per square foot to install. Wet installations, which are sprayed and typically have short dry times, work best for new constructions when additional projects are going on around the insulation work.
Like other forms of insulation, it's fire retardant. It costs slightly less than dense-pack cellulose because it takes longer to dry and may leave gaps if not installed professionally.
Dense-pack cellulose, which is air blown but dry when installed, is more costly at $2.00 to $2.30 per square foot when you hire a pro to install it. Because of its high R-value, it works best in older homes, which may be more susceptible to letting hot or cool air escape. The installation process is less disruptive to surrounding structures than wet installation, but it may take longer.
Fiberglass insulation runs from $500 to $1,060 to cover 1,000 square feet. The price per job varies based on the R-value of the insulation and the size of the project. Unlike cellulose, there are many options to choose from. Blown-in insulation increases your home’s energy efficiency and can help save money over time.
For a bag weighing 28 1/2 pounds, at an average cost of $33 a bag, a breakdown of R-value, number of bags, and material cost appear in the following table.
R-Value | Bags per 1,000 Square Feet | Material Cost |
---|---|---|
R-30 | 15 | $500 |
R-38 | 20 | $660 |
R-44 | 23 | $760 |
R-49 | 26 | $860 |
R-60 | 32 | $1,060 |
From hiring a pro to the strength and thickness of your blown-in insulation, some factors change the price you pay for your insulation.
The cost of labor runs from $40 to $70 per hour. It costs more to install insulation in an older home than in a new one. Thicker insulation costs more because the raw materials are more expensive and it takes longer to install.
The R-value of blown-in insulation depends on the material's density and insulating factors. The higher the R-value, the better the material's insulating ability and the higher the price.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends the following levels of insulation:
Floors and Crawl Spaces: R-13–R-30
Walls: R-13–R-23
Ceilings and Attics: R-30–R-60
Attics require higher R-values because heat rises. About one-quarter of a home’s heat escapes through the attic. As a result, the densest form of blown-in insulation should be in this part of a house.
With new blown-in insulation, you've got labor and material costs to cover that you or your pro can estimate on a square-foot basis. Replacing insulation can be different because you're unlikely to spray vast areas with no insulation. Instead, you’re likely fill gaps and cracks, which will take less time and require fewer materials.
When installed properly, blown-in insulation is rated to last between 60 and 80 years.
It's a common misconception that mold can grow in blown-in insulation. However, mold and asbestos can form on top of dust or other particles if it falls from a roof or another object.
On average, mold removal costs$2,250, while asbestos removal costs $2,100. For safety reasons, a pro will not fix or add blown insulation until both are removed.
Holes are often left behind when installing blown-in insulation. These holes allow for the natural expansion of the material and alleviate pressure. Fortunately, you can patch drywall using budget-friendly methods. You can use a small can of spray insulation to fill the hole, allow it to dry, and saw away any excess. Or simply cover it with putty and paint. You can use either method for under $30.
Loose-fill insulation manufacturers vary in specialty and cost. Some brands, like Blown-In-Blanket Insulation, can only be installed by a certified contractor. Keep in mind that costs differ based on the R-value of the material. Here are a few top brands and their prices.
Brand | Average Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Green Fiber | $0.40 |
Owens Corning | $0.40 |
Applegate | $0.25 – $1.40 |
American Rockwool | $1.75 |
Nu-Wool | $1.30 – $4 |
Here are the steps to calculate the number of bags of blown-in insulation you'll need for your project:
Measure the square footage of your project area.
Decide which R-value will work for the area(s) of the home you’re insulating.
Find the square footage covered by a bag of your chosen insulation.
Find the R-value of your chosen insulation.
If the R-value requirement of your home matches the R-value of your chosen insulation, then simply purchase enough insulation to cover the correct square footage (with some overage).
If the R-value of the insulation is less than what your home needs, add additional bags to get the correct R-value. Most manufacturers include a handy chart on the packaging to help you calculate the number of bags to buy.
"It's important to know your regional specifications when deciding how much insulation to install. While R-30 is standard for temperate areas, the Department of Energy recommends R-38,” says Cati O’Keefe, Expert Home Building & Sustainability Contributor. “Homeowners in parts of the country that experience extreme climate may need to insulate their attics to R-60."
Blown-in insulation is faster to install and less expensive than batt and roll, another form of insulation. You or your pro will have to unravel, measure, and cut batt and roll to fit each specific wall or section you’re reinforcing.
Additionally, blown-in insulation adds longevity to roofs and shingles, decreases energy bills, and helps eliminate cold and hot spots in your house. It's also rated to last up to 100 years in some cases, making it a long-term investment for your home.
If the project takes up a large surface area, involves electrical wiring or outlets, or is beyond your skill level, it’s best to hire an insulation pro near you to install the insulation quickly and safely. For smaller projects, less complicated spaces, or general touch-ups, DIY installation is possible. If you attempt to DIY, prepare for a learning curve and allow yourself some extra time.
The cost to rent a blow-in insulation machine varies. On average, you can expect to spend around $100 to $200 for a 24-hour rental. Some insulation manufacturers offer machine rental for free with the purchase of their product.
In comparison to roll mats, blown-in insulation is fire-resistant and long-lasting. It’s also more energy-efficient and easier to install.
It costs between $1,500 and $2,250 to cover 1,500 square feet with blown-in insulation. If you hire a pro, remember to factor in labor costs.
You’ll pay about $950 for materials to cover 1,200 square feet with blown-in fiberglass. A pro will typically charge $40 to $70 per hour for labor.
Spray foam insulation costs$0.45 to $1.50 per board foot. Blown-in cellulose is more expensive and costs $0.60 to $2.30 per square foot.
Batts are typically more expensive to install than blown-in insulation. Batt and roll insulation costsup to $2,500 on average. So you might save money by opting for blown-in.
The best R-value for blown-in insulation depends on the area where you're adding insulation and your home’s needs. An average home attic in the U.S., for example, should have a minimum R-value of 30.