How much is blown insulation in attic?

Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality
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Blown-In Attic Insulation Costs
The cost to insulate an attic with blown-in insulation runs from $600 to $1,200, assuming it is 1,000 square feet in size. If you choose to hire a professional, expect to pay from $40 to $70 an hour for labor in addition to the cost of materials.



Besides, how much blown in insulation do I need in attic?

The recommended ceiling insulation level for most attics is R-38 (or about 12 to 15 in. from the drywall, depending on the insulation type). In the coldest climates, insulating up to R-49 is recommended.

Also Know, how Much Should blown in insulation cost? On average, the cost of adding blown-in insulation to an existing home ranges from $800 to $2,000. Blown-in insulation (also know as loose fill) is most commonly made of cellulose or fiberglass, although there is also insulation made of mineral (rock or slag) wool.

Similarly, you may ask, how much is it to insulate an attic?

The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.

How much does it cost to insulate a 1200 sq ft attic?

Insulation prevents heat and cooling loss in the home, so with attic insulation, your home will feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. An average-size attic of 1,200 square feet will usually cost about $1,700-$2,000 for blown-in cellulose or fiberglass.

31 Related Question Answers Found

Can you over insulate an attic?

But there may be a theoretical point of “too much.” If a home is over-insulated and is too tightly sealed, moisture can get trapped inside. Without proper ventilation, a home can build up too much moisture, especially in the attic (warm air rises), which can cause mold problems and, overall, lower indoor air quality.

How do I get rid of blown in insulation in my attic?

How to Remove Blown-In Insulation
  1. Inspect the Insulation. There are several different types of insulation, so you should first identify the type you have in your attic.
  2. Gather the Right Equipment.
  3. Protect Your Space.
  4. Create Your Workspace.
  5. Set Up Tarp and Trashbags.
  6. Put on Safety Gear.
  7. Vacuum Insulation.
  8. Clean Up.

Is it OK to put flooring over blown in insulation?

If blown-in insulation is used, control the height or thickness of the layers so boards can by laid over top without having to compact the filler.

Should I remove old blown in insulation?


Remove Old Insulation
Once there is no asbestos, mold, or rodents, it is generally safe to proceed with attic insulation removal yourself. Luckily homeowners are more likely to find the easier kind which is blown-in fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Removing rolls or batting is a bit harder, but can be done.

How do I know if my insulation is blown?

Cellulose blow-in insulation is constructed out of recycled paper. To determine how much cellulose insulation you need, take the square footage of the space and divide it by either the depth or the desired R-value. Fiberglass blow-in insulation is essentially made up of spun fibers from recycled molten glass.

What is the best type of blown in attic insulation?

The best insulation options for an attic are open cell spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose.
  • Cellulose is the oldest insulation material used for not only the attic, but other areas of the home as well.
  • Fiberglass is another traditional insulation material that consists of extremely fine glass fibers.

Is air sealing the attic worth it?

Air sealing your attic is essential to an energy efficient home. Air sealing your attic and having it appropriately insulated helps minimize the stack effect. This will make your home's temperature more comfortable and easy to regulate, while protecting you against high energy costs year-round.

How do you seal an attic?

Plug the big holes first.
  1. Create stuffed bags.
  2. Plug open stud cavities.
  3. Cover dropped soffits.
  4. Seal behind kneewalls.
  5. Cut aluminum flashing.
  6. Seal with silicone caulk.
  7. Form an insulation dam.
  8. Find attic bypasses.

Do you need a vapor barrier in the attic?


If you insulate the attic floor, it is also important to have a vapor barrier in place, to prevent warm, moist air from rising into the chilled attic from the living space below. The moisture will condense on the wood and insulation, reducing the insulation R-value and encouraging the growth of mold and mildew.

When should I replace attic insulation?

Insulation should also be replaced, in some cases sooner than 15 years, if it is no longer doing its job properly. You'll know it needs to be replaced if there are insulation leaks or if it is peeling from the walls.

Should I remove old attic insulation before adding new?

Do I Need to Remove Old Insulation Before Adding New Attic Insulation? Your current attic insulation will form the basis of the additional attic insulation that you are planning to install. Therefore, unless it is damaged or your roof is damaged, you should not have to remove the original insulation.

Does Lowes do attic insulation?

Attic Insulation & Accessories at Lowes.com.

Is blown in insulation cheaper than rolls?

By contrast, installing fiberglass batts or rolls, while labor-intensive, is not hard for DIYers. Material cost. The insulation itself costs about the same for comparable R-values. Blow-in cellulose costs about $30 for each 19-pound bag, which will cover about 40 square feet at minimal R-value.

Is spray insulation worth the cost?


The EPA's Energy Star Association has shown that monthly energy bills can be cut by up to 20% when air leaks are sealed and efficient insulation is installed. The initial cost of spray foam insulation is well worth the investment, when factoring in the overall savings that will be headed your way over the long term.

How do I calculate attic insulation?

Calculate attic area
  1. Measure the outside of your home.
  2. The interior attic space may differ (e.g., additions, varying levels of insulation). Separate into smaller spaces from the largest area.
  3. Multiply the length and width of each area.
  4. (A + B + C) ÷ 144 = total square footage.

How much does it cost to insulate a 2000 square foot house?

Cost: The average cost per square foot is between $0.64 - $1.19. So, for a 500 square foot area, your estimate will vary between $145 to $200, if you do it yourself. For a professional job, add between $150 to $300 for labor, and you're looking at around $300 to $500 for 6 hours of work.