How Much Does It Cost To Install Blown-In Attic Insulation?

Blown In Attic Insulation Costs

The cost to insulate an attic averages around $1,569, including labor. The actual price range ranges from $976 at the low end to $2,222 at the higher end. The exact cost of insulating your attic with blown-in insulation depends on whether you’ve chosen to hire a professional, what type of insulation material you’ve decided to use, and many more. Additionally, the size of the space may also contribute to your overall cost to insulate the attic.

Blown insulation costs per square foot

While the price of insulation depends on its R-value – an insulation material’s ability to prevent heat from flowing toward colder air – the typical blown insulation cost per square foot is between $1 and $1.50. The cost per square foot may go up, depending on what’s located in the area you are spraying. If you have decided to complete the insulation yourself, you may still need help spreading the insulation around electrical wiring or outlets. The added labor cost, regardless of whether you hire someone to complete the whole project or even a small part, will raise the cost per square foot over the $1.50 mark.

Blown in insulation costs by type

The above cost provides a helpful average to allow you to create a ballpark budget for your project. Still, you will need to consider that there are different types of insulation material from which to choose. Each of these materials comes with its own associated cost, as follows.

Rockwool fiber

The average cost of Rockwool fiber is $1.40 to $2.10 per square foot. This type of blown-in insulation is known as “mineral wool” or “stone wool” and is rock and slag fiber. Rockwool fiber has the following characteristics:

• Natural pest repellant
• Recyclable
• Non-combustible
• Greater noise reduction
• Significantly reduces gaps
• Low shrinkage or settling
• High R-values
• Prevents mold growth    

Wet blown-in cellulose

The average cost of wet blown-in cellulose is $0.60 to $1.80 per square foot. Cellulose insulation is recycled newspaper, cardboard, and other cellulose-based materials. It features the following characteristics:

• Fire retardant
• High-energy efficiency
• Fills without gaps
• Effective air-tight seal
• Greater noise reduction
• Pest repellant

Dense-pack cellulose

The average cost of dense-pack cellulose is $2.00 to $2.30 per square foot. Made from recycled paper, cardboard, and other cellulose-based sources, this insulation material is denser than wet blown-in insulation and typically comes with a higher R-value. This insulation type is ideal for older homes, which can often be drafty. Dense-pack cellulose insulation has these characteristics:

• High-energy efficiency
• Reduced settling
• Reduces air leakage through walls
• Sustainable
• Recyclable

Fiberglass

The average cost of fiberglass is $0.50 to $1.10 per square foot. Fiberglass blow-in insulation is made from fine glass fibers and offers a selection of R-values, with the cost to insulate an attic different for each. Fiberglass blow-in insulation has these characteristics:

• Energy efficient
• Increased fire protection
• Easy installation
• Greater noise reduction
• Cost effective

Costs to install blown-in insulation

Home improvement or repair projects often have a set of factors that will determine the total cost of the project from beginning to end. Installing blown-in insulation is no different, so when asking yourself, “How much does it cost to insulate an attic?” you need to consider the following factors:

• Labor. The cost of labor averages between $40 and $70 per hour, with older homes costing more than newer homes and thicker insulation costing more than the standard R-value of 30.
• New installation vs. replacement. With replacement installations, you are more likely to fill in gaps instead of covering a broad empty area so that the blow-in insulation cost will be less. That said, if you need to remove the old insulation first, there will be an additional labor cost.
• Asbestos or mold remediation. While blown-in insulation isn’t prone to mold growth, mold can drop onto the insulation from another source and grow on the dust. Likewise, asbestos may fall onto the insulation and require removal by an expert. If your old insulation has mold or asbestos on it, you can expect the additional cost of hiring a remediation expert.
• Machine rental. If you are opting to reduce your blow-in insulation cost by doing the work yourself, you will need to rent a blow-in insulation machine. These typically cost between $100 and $200 for a 24-hr rental.
• Pre-installation clean-up. If your attic requires cleaning and preparation before starting the insulation process, you can expect to have to pay an additional $100 to $300 on top of the installation cost.

DIY or Hire a Pro

Completing a home renovation or repair project on your own can save you a lot of money, so it’s tempting to think about what you can do without hiring a professional to do the work. Installing or repairing blown-in installation can be done as a DIY project, depending on the situation. If the installation is in a small and uncomplicated area, or you only need to repair the existing insulation, completing the work on your own is undoubtedly an acceptable option. That said, unless you have experience in this kind of work, you can expect to have to budget your time with a generous margin for error. If the area is on the larger side or has a lot of exposed wiring, outlets, and other things that may complicate the project, you will need to consider hiring a professional.