Adding insulation to a property will increase its comfort level. The cost of blown in insulation cost ranges from $930 to $2,085, with the majority of homes spending a national average of $1,507.
- Typical Price Range: $930 – $2,085
- $1,507 is the national average.
Blown in insulation, like other forms of insulation such as fiberglass batts and spray foam, decreases thermal transmission from the outside to the inside. This implies that the inside temperature is more consistent and comfortable in both hot and cold weather. The advantage of blown in insulation over other varieties is that it can be installed in walls without removing drywall to reach the stud gaps.
Depending on the climatic zone, local building rules mandate varied quantities of insulation for new construction and remodeling projects. The blown in insulation cost ranges from $930 to $2,085 depending on the scope of the project, whether it will insulate an attic, walls, or both, and the type of insulation utilized. Homeowners will pay $1,507 on average.
What Exactly Is Blown In Insulation?
Blown in insulation is a fluffy, loose substance that is often composed of fiberglass, cellulose, or rockwool. All three forms of insulation are firmly packed in huge bags that are fed into a blower machine by the installation. The machine fluffs up the insulation by mixing it with air and then dispersing it through a hose into open attics, crawl spaces, and around ducting to offer thermal protection.
Furthermore, cellulose is available in a wet-spray form that is employed in existing external walls. In this case, the installer drills holes through the external siding into each wall stud area before spraying in wet-spray cellulose, which fills the space and dries to provide insulation. After that, plugs are placed into the holes to seal them.
Blown in wet-spray insulation can not provide the same degree of efficiency since it may not fill the stud gaps owing to obstructions in the walls that are not apparent. Wet-spray blown in insulation cost for homeowners will be between $1,000 and $1,500 to insulate 1,000 square feet of external walls.
Factors to Consider When Estimating Blown In Insulation Cost
While the national average for having a home insulated with blown in insulation is $1,507, the actual cost may vary depending on various factors, including the kind of insulation chosen by the homeowner and the going labor rate in the locality. Some installers estimate the blown in insulation cost using a mathematical calculation, while others utilize a blown in insulation calculator.
Labor
Labor charges vary based on where you reside and the degree of competition among insulating companies, but you should budget between $40 and $70 per hour to have insulation blown in. The longer it takes to insulate, the more money it will cost in the end. Because it takes longer to insulate existing homes than it does to build new ones, labor expenses may be greater if you live in an older home.
Area
The more space that has to be insulated, the more expensive the insulation. Blowing insulation into existing walls will be more expensive than installing it in a new or existing attic. The blown in insulation cost is 1,000 square feet of attic space with blown-in insulation ranging from $600 to $1,200.
The cost to insulate the equivalent amount of outside wall space is between $1,000 and $1,500. The additional time it takes to install wall insulation accounts for a large portion of the increased expense.
Installation Type
While the labor cost does not fluctuate considerably depending on whether the contractor is working in a new or older home, blown-in insulation is normally only put in attics in new homes. After the mechanical elements (wiring and plumbing) are completed, the walls of new-construction homes are frequently insulated with batt or spray foam insulation. Blown-in insulation may be put in both attics and exterior walls of older homes.
The blown in insulation cost will vary based on the type of installation required. Insulating walls in a new home costs $1.65 to $3.80 per square foot, whereas insulating walls in an older home costs $1.75 to $3.30. Insulation prices are affected by the type of material used in both scenarios.
R-Value and Material Type
The blown in insulation cost is also affected by the type of blown-in material used. Fiberglass is the least expensive alternative, costing between $0.50 and $1.10 per square foot, while cellulose costs between $0.60 and $2.30 per square foot, with wet-spray cellulose being the most expensive. The cost of rock wool insulation per square foot ranges from $1.40 to $2.10.
The R-value, or degree of insulation required in your home, is determined by the location you reside in. Homes in colder climates require more insulation to attain a higher R-value, but homes in warmer regions do not. The more insulation that is necessary, the more expensive the project will be.
Household Location
Local construction codes also mandate various R-values for different parts of the house. This influences the ultimate insulation cost since higher R-values need the use of more or thicker insulation. The typical R-value needed for walls ranges from R-13 to R-23, whereas R-30 to R-60 is required for attics. As a result, the material cost of attic insulation is frequently greater.
Additional Fees and Blown In Insulation Cost Factors to Consider
Adding insulation to new-construction homes is usually simple, but in older homes, the installer may encounter challenges that raise the entire blown in insulation cost of the installation. These include but are not limited to, the state of the home’s wiring, if part of the present insulation is defective or contains asbestos and must be removed, and whether the house will need to be repaired before it can be insulated.
