The price of blown-in insulation can range enormously relying on the area, supplies, and labor concerned however usually ranges from $1,540 – $4,630 with a nationwide common value of $2,580.
What’s blown-in insulation? Blown-in insulation is a kind of insulation that’s put in utilizing a blower machine. This machine mixes loose-fill insulation materials with air. Then it disperses the fabric by way of a hose into areas equivalent to attics, crawl areas, and different areas that require safety from warmth switch.
For pricing details about all forms of insulation, see our broader house insulation value information.
Desk Of Contents:
Common Blown-In Insulation Prices in 2023
| Nationwide Common Value | $2,580 |
| Typical Value Vary | $1,540 – $4,630 |
| Excessive Low-Finish Value | $710 |
| Excessive Excessive-Finish Value | $6,430 |
Whereas most blown-in insulation installations value between $1,540 – $4,630 (with a nationwide common value of $2,580), owners can spend as little as $710 or as a lot as $6,430, relying on a number of elements.
Why the massive vary in value? The price of blown-in insulation varies relying on the kind of materials used. Fiberglass is often the commonest and least costly possibility, whereas wooden fiber will be the priciest. The bigger the realm, the costlier the associated fee to insulate it.
Blown-In Insulation Value Estimator By Measurement
| Insulation Space in Sq. Ft | Common Value To Set up |
| 100 | $130 – $330 |
| 200 | $330 – $760 |
| 300 | $400 – $990 |
| 400 | $660 – $1,520 |
| 500 | $660 – $1,650 |
| 700 | $700 – $2,000 |
| 1,000 | $1,330 – $3,300 |
| 1,500 | $1,990 – $4,950 |
| 2,000 | $2,650 – $6,600 |
| 2,500 | $3,310 – $8,250 |
| 3,000 | $3,980 – $9,900 |
The price of blown-in insulation per sq. foot can range relying on the thickness of the insulation, the fabric sort, and which a part of the house the insulation is being put in in.
Usually, exterior partitions in current houses use solely round 5 inches of insulation materials without delay, whereas an attic ground in a brand new home might require as much as 18 inches. General, the prices for insulating an attic ground are sometimes costlier than for partitions.
Different Components That Have an effect on Value
Other than the scale of the realm that must be insulated, there are a number of elements of your venture that may elevate or decrease the price of blown-in insulation. Study extra about a few of these elements under:
Insulation Materials
Concerning insulation supplies that may be blown in, these are the three commonest decisions: fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool.
For insulation in current partitions, moist spray cellulose is often used. Fiberglass, dense-pack cellulose, or rock wool are generally employed in different components of the house. These supplies will be utilized to each new houses and current houses.
Fiberglass Blown-In Insulation
The price of fiberglass blown-in insulation is $0.40 – $1.10 per sq. foot (for materials solely) and $1.00 – $2.80 per sq. foot, together with skilled set up.
Fiberglass insulation consists of glass fibers melted down right into a paper-like materials and recycled for reuse as insulation. It has a better R-Worth than among the different supplies.
Cellulose Blown-In Insulation
Blown-in cellulose insulation is a good way to extend vitality effectivity and preserve vitality payments low. When contemplating this feature, the fabric value is round $0.50 – $2.10 per sq. foot. With skilled set up, prices can vary from $1.20 to $2.80 per sq. foot.
Cellulose is made up of recycled newsprint and different plant-based supplies which can be handled with varied chemical compounds to make them fireplace retardant and immune to bugs, mould, and mildew.
There are two forms of cellulose blown-in insulation:
- Moist-Spray Cellulose: Moist cellulose insulation prices $0.60 to $1.90 per sq. foot for the fabric solely. Moist-spray or damp-spray insulation is loose-fill cellulose, fireplace retardant, water, and adhesive sprayed into wall cavities earlier than masking them with drywall. Moist cellulose insulation works finest in new building.
- Dense-Pack Cellulose: Dense-pack cellulose prices $1.80 – $3.30 per sq. foot for the fabric solely. Dense pack, additionally known as “drill and fill”, is a technique of blowing unfastened cellulose into wall cavities at excessive strain. You will need to drill holes into every wall cavity to insert the insulation. This is usually a cost-effective and minimally invasive possibility for older houses. Plus, dense-pack insulation is nice for exterior partitions.
Rock Wool Blown-In Insulation
On common, rock wool (additionally known as mineral wool) prices about $1.30 – $2.20 per sq. foot for the fabric alone. When professionally put in, count on to pay within the vary of $1.90 – $4.20 per sq. foot. Rock wool is produced from rock, furnace slag, and different uncooked supplies in a granular type that may be utilized loosely to wall and ceiling cavities and attics.
Model
| Insulation Model | Value Per Sq. Foot (Materials Solely) |
| Greenfiber | $0.30 – $0.60 |
| Owens Corning | $0.30 – $0.60 |
| Applegate | $0.40 – $1.50 |
| American Rockwool | $1.80 – $2.50 |
| Nu-Wool | $1.30 – $3.00 |
The above desk displays the present prices of blown-in insulation from among the most well-known manufacturers.
Greenfiber Blown-In Insulation Value
Greenfiber Insulation is a cheap answer that’s made up of 85% recycled supplies. Their costs vary from $0.30 to $0.60 per sq. foot. Greenfiber’s merchandise are an eco-friendly different for environmentally-conscious owners trying to insulate their houses.
Owens Corning Blown-In Insulation Value
Owens Corning insulation has been part of homebuilding for the reason that nineteenth century, and the corporate continues to make all forms of fiberglass merchandise. Considered one of their hottest is their AttiCat line of blown-in insulation. This increasing fiberglass is designed to fill cracks and crevices in lots of house areas and is self-feeding, minimizing contact with the person. It averages between $0.30 and $0.60 per sq. foot in materials prices.
Applegate Blown-In Insulation Value
Applewood Insulation affords high quality, eco-friendly blown-in cellulose insulation supplies which can be extremely inexpensive and protected. With costs starting from $0.50 to $1.50 per sq. foot in materials value solely, Applewood’s merchandise comprise no less than 85% recycled content material. They’re handled as insect-resistant and flame-retardant, exceeding most state laws for fireplace security. They provide each dense-packed and damp-sprayed cellulose.
American Rockwool Blown-In Insulation Value
American Rockwool focuses on rock wool blown-in insulation, sometimes costing between $1.75 and $2.50 per sq. foot in materials value solely. American Rockwool is produced from recycled blast furnace slag and entice rock, giving it the distinctive properties of being non-combustible, non-corrosive, and fewer prone to settle than different unfastened forms of insulation.
Nu-Wool Insulation Value
Nu-Wool affords eco-friendly insulation choices for DIY {and professional} installations. This materials ranges from $1.30 to $4.00 per sq. foot in materials value solely and is made primarily of recycled content material. Nu-Wool has been a producer of inexperienced merchandise since 1949, making them a particularly trusted supply for owners’ insulation wants.
Family Space
The above chart displays the put in prices for blown-in insulation in numerous areas of the house. Prices range a lot as a result of completely different quantities of insulation are wanted for various areas.
Wall Insulation
Blown-in wall insulation is a cheap, environment friendly solution to insulate wall areas. The set up course of includes forcing moist cellulose fibers by way of holes into the open cavities of the partitions utilizing particular gear. The fibers seize maintain of drywall, studs, and sheathing and fill the cavity fully. Professionally put in blown-in wall insulation sometimes ranges between $1,280 – $3,580.
Attic Insulation
Professionally put in blown-in attic insulation prices anyplace from $1,070 to $3,500. The sort of insulation is often utilized after spray foam insulation. Attics ought to have roughly twice the quantity of insulation as partitions, as they comprise extra warmth that would rise and escape. Putting in sufficient insulation within the attic can forestall scorching air from escaping and higher keep a snug temperature inside.
Crawl Area Insulation
When trying to insulate a crawl area with blown-in insulation, owners have a number of choices. The preferred supplies used are spray foam, fiberglass, and inflexible board. Skilled set up for crawl area blown-in insulation can range from $700 to $2,250 relying on the kind of insulation chosen and the sq. footage of the insulated crawl area.
Ductwork Insulation
Ductwork insulation is commonly an afterthought in the course of the design and set up of ductwork programs, however it’s an necessary issue to not overlook. The price of professionally put in ductwork insulation sometimes ranges from $400 to $1,000 however is just not restricted to that vary. This value vary can range as a result of many sizes and configurations of the ducts, their location, and their format.
Storage Insulation
Are you trying to elevate the consolation degree in your storage or to maintain out out of doors temperatures? The fee vary for storage insulation is roughly $1,500 to $8,000, relying on the scale of the storage and the supplies used. The kind of insulation finest fitted to a specific storage will depend upon if current drywall is in place or if partitions and ceiling are left uncovered.
Roof Insulation
The fee vary for roof insulation is roughly $1,500 to $4,500, relying on the scale of the roof and the supplies used.
R-Worth
| R-Worth/Thickness of Insulation | Materials Value |
| R-13 (3.5”) | $300 – $800 |
| R-15 (3.5”) | $450 – $880 |
| R-21 (5.5”) | $630 – $1,100 |
| R-23 (5.5”) | $780 – $1,400 |
| R-30 (10.25”) | $420 – $600 |
| R-38 (13.00”) | $540 – $800 |
| R-44 (15.00”) | $630 – $920 |
| R-49 (16.50”) | $720 – $1,000 |
| R-60 (20.00”) | $870 – $1,300 |
The above chart exhibits the everyday R-Values of varied blown-in insulation merchandise and the associated fee for every (supplies solely). Every R-Worth has a minimal thickness, additionally proven within the chart above.
What’s R-Worth?
R-Worth is an ordinary measure used to find out the effectiveness of insulation. An insulation’s R-Worth signifies its resistance to warmth circulate. The upper the R-Worth quantity, the better the warmth resistance and the simpler the insulation.
Labor Prices
The price of labor is an important issue to think about while you’re trying to do a blown-in insulation job, because it makes up 30 – 60% of the general value. Relying on the situation, installers sometimes value $40 – $70 per hour. The sort of job will be time-consuming and contain insulating bigger areas that require a number of days of labor.
On common, set up prices are roughly $1.15 – $1.50 per sq. foot as a result of guide course of that requires customers to carry and management a hose all through the set up.
Older Properties vs. New House Development
- Older Properties: In the event you’re searching for insulation for current partitions, you’re in luck! Blown-in insulation is a straightforward and cost-effective solution to insulate your house. Insulation corporations can add the insulation instantly into your pre-existing partitions. The price of insulating an older home is round $1.80 – $3.40 per sq. foot.
- New Properties: Insulating a house throughout new building will be barely extra labor-intensive than in current houses. Cautious consideration needs to be taken earlier than blowing in any insulation to make sure the area has been adequately laid out first. Blown-in insulation prices roughly $1.80 – $3.90 per sq. foot in newly-constructed residences.
Comparability Prices for Blown-In vs. Batt vs. Spray Foam Insulation
Other than blown-in insulation, batt and spray foam insulation are additionally fashionable choices. Evaluate their prices within the chart above and study extra about these different insulation sorts under.
Batt Insulation
Batt insulation is a standard sort of insulation fabricated from both fiberglass or mineral wool (additionally known as rock wool). It often is available in customized pre-cut sizes and affords a budget-friendly possibility for insulating your house. Batt insulation sometimes prices between $0.70 and $2.30 per sq. foot when put in by an expert.
Spray Foam Insulation
In the event you’re contemplating spray foam insulation, typical prices fall within the vary of $1.50 – $4.30 per sq. foot, professionally put in. Spray foam insulation is a liquid insulation materials that’s sprayed into partitions, flooring, and ceilings. The froth expands and hardens to fill even the tightest nooks and crannies. Due to its capability to “fill in” gaps, air leakage is considerably diminished with spray foam in comparison with different types of insulation supplies.
Associated Companies
If you’re having insulation put in or changed, it’s possible you’ll run into further issues that require skilled assist. See under to find out how a lot it may value you to unravel these issues.
Mildew Remediation
Mildew remediation is a course of during which affected supplies, equivalent to insulation, are eliminated and correctly disposed of in the event that they comprise mould. This could at all times be executed earlier than putting in new insulation as it may well forestall additional contamination and the unfold of harmful mould spores. The common value for mould remediation sometimes falls between $1,380 – $3,450.
Asbestos Elimination
In the event you’re planning to blow in insulation, it’s important to verify your house’s age to see if asbestos is current. Some houses that had been constructed earlier than the 1990’s most likely have asbestos shingles or asbestos in different areas. Asbestos removing is a hazardous course of and needs to be accomplished by an abatement firm skilled in protected removing methods. Skilled asbestos remediation prices between $690 – $1,830.
Air Sealing
Air sealing is a course of designed to forestall chilly drafts and air leaks between the attic and residing area by utilizing caulk, foam sealants, or increasing foam. That is particularly necessary if there are important gaps round HVAC ducts, followers, fire flues, or ceiling lighting fixtures. Skilled air sealing might value from $350 – $3,000, relying on the scale of the realm and the complexity of the job.
Professional Value vs. DIY Value
The prices to put in blown-in insulation DIY depend upon the R-value (thickness) of the insulation and the required materials amount.
Usually, 10 to twenty luggage of blown-in insulation can cowl 1,000 sq. ft and can value between $300 – $800. Moreover, you have to to lease an insulation (blower) machine to blow within the loose-fill materials. To lease this machine, the everyday value ranges between $100 – $150 per day and $250 – $480 per week. See a breakdown of all DIY prices under.
| Provides Wanted | Common Value |
| Tape Measure | $13 |
| Yardstick | $6.90 |
| Insulation Machine (Blower Machine) | $100 – $150/per day |
| Store Vac (Heavy Obligation Work Vacuum) | $30/per day |
| Utility Knife | $12 |
| Luggage of Free-Fill Insulation (value will depend on R-Worth and Amount) | $300 – $80010-20 luggage, R-13 (3.5” thickness), 1,000 sf |
| Work or Latex Gloves | $14 |
| Mud Masks | $12 |
| Heavy Obligation Extension Cords | $48 |
| Security Goggles | $13 |
| Metallic Fireplace Security Barrier | $35016” broad x 28” lengthy, Composite Sheet |
| Whole DIY Value: | $900 – $1,450 |
The chart above features a “primary” checklist of provides for a day’s price of labor and offers an thought of what you’ll want to finish the job. That being stated, it doesn’t “total- up” all the prices since these range relying on the scale of the house’s space, R-Worth, and different further duties equivalent to insulating between wires or round ducts.
Value of Blown-In Insulation Set up by Location
Wish to decide the price of blown-in insulation in your space? Usually, the associated fee is reflective of labor prices in your space, so it’s finest to speak to native insulation contractors for an correct estimate.
Understand that houses in colder climates sometimes require extra insulation, so owners within the northern states may find yourself spending considerably greater than the nationwide common prices.
FAQ
Blown-in cellulose insulation sometimes lasts 20-30 years resulting from its composition of recycled pure supplies, whereas fiberglass supplies have an excellent longer lifespan since they don’t degrade over time.
In relation to insulating your house, you’ll be able to have an excessive amount of of an excellent factor! In most components of america, in case you use blown-in insulation in your attic, an R-Worth of 38 is all you want. Going past this degree can truly trigger extra hurt than good.
It isn’t really useful to deal with blown-in insulation with naked palms. Dealing with fiberglass insulation can result in the discharge of tiny particles which may get onto the pores and skin and trigger irritation and itching. Inhaling these particles may even lead to extra critical issues equivalent to coughing, nosebleeds, or respiratory misery.
Ultimate Ideas
The prices related to a blown-in insulation venture depend upon whether or not you’re a DIYer or calling on an expert. Different elements affect prices, as nicely, equivalent to the place you reside within the US, the R-value of the insulation wanted for that area, the scale and complexity of the house areas needing insulation, and labor/installer prices. With all of this in thoughts, the nationwide common value of blown-in insulation is about $2,580, sometimes priced between $1,540 – $4,630.
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Harley Grandone
Harley Grandone, a author and panorama designer, enjoys writing blogs for Lawnstarter. After 20+ years of being a panorama designer, she’s delighted to have the ability to mix her love of writing along with her love of the business. When not writing, she spends her free time on her sailboat, studying affiliate internet marketing, and having enjoyable along with her household within the Philadelphia suburbs.