The average cost of home insulation installation is $3,020, with costs typically ranging between $2,130 and $6,700.
Insulation provides improved energy efficiency by minimizing heat transfer throughout your home. A properly insulated home will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, all while reducing your energy bills.
In this cost guide:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Cost Estimator by Household Area
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Insulation Installation Costs in 2024
| National Average Cost | $3,020 |
| Typical Price Range | $2,130 – $6,700 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $1,500 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $19,350 |
Pricing for insulation varies based on materials. Insulation can come in a variety of materials, including fiberglass, cellulose, polystyrene, mineral wool, and wood fiber. Fiberglass insulation is the most common and therefore the least expensive, while wood fiber insulation is typically the most expensive option.
The square footage of your home will also affect costs, with average installations costing $1 – $5.65 per square foot or $0.55 – $2 per board foot. Labor costs range from $0.50 – $1.60 per square foot. Homeowners can save on costs by completing the installation on their own.
Insulation Cost Estimator by Project Size
Costs generally grow as the size of your project and associated square footage grows. With average installations costing $1 – $5.65 per square foot or $0.55 – $2 per board foot, big areas in need of insulation can lead to big price tags.
A board foot is 1 square foot by 1 inch thick. The thicker your home insulation, the better your house’s temperature can be regulated. 1 square foot of insulation that is 12 inches thick would be considered 12 board feet and provide better insulation against heat and cold than insulation only 6 inches thick (or 6 board feet).
| Project Size (Square Footage) | Typical Cost Range |
| 100 | $100 – $565 |
| 500 | $500 – $2,825 |
| 1,000 | $1,000 – $5,650 |
| 2,000 | $2,000 – $11,300 |
| 4,000 | $4,000 – $22,600 |
Insulation Cost Estimator by Household Area
Often, homeowners will undertake home improvement insulation projects by household area. The average costs for insulating different areas of the home are listed below.
Garage
Builders and contractors will often refrain from insulating garages as a way to increase profits. Homeowners that would like their garage walls, ceiling, and door insulated can expect to pay $0.50 to $1.25 per square foot or total project costs between $1,300 and $6,950.
Basement
Basements are another area that contractors and builders will avoid insulating to save on costs. Homeowners generally expect to pay $1.60 to $2.80 per square foot or total project costs between $1,100 – $7,150.
Attic
Most homeowners have attic insulation to manage the temperature inside their homes. They may need to add insulation to a new home addition or replace insulation following a fire or rodent infestation. In these instances, a homeowner can expect attic insulation costs from $1.25 to $5.25 per square foot, with total project costs between $1,360 and $4,500.
Roof
Homeowners sometimes assume that roof insulation is included in attic estimates, but this is actually considered a separate area of the home. To insulate your roof, you can expect to pay $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, with total costs ranging from $1,700 – $5,220.
Walls
Walls on the interior of your home can be insulated to dampen sound and improve temperature control. Wall insulation will usually run $1 to $4 per square foot, with total project costs ranging from $760 to $3,650. A single wall is often considered a small project, and it may not meet the minimum project costs for general contractors.
Crawl Space
Crawl spaces are another area often left uninsulated by general contractors and builders. To add crawl space insulation, you can expect to pay between $950 and $4,400 or $1 to $5 per square foot.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Beyond the area being insulated, homeowners should also expect removal and replacement costs to be added when upgrading or changing insulation. Adjustments to material costs, insulation type, R-value, labor, and inflation all play a factor in determining final costs.
New Build vs. Removal vs. Replacement
For new construction or first-time upgrades to an area of the home, there are no costs associated with the removal of pre-existing insulation material. In older homes and on previously insulated projects, homeowners should expect additional costs associated with the disposal and replacement of existing material.
| New Construction | $1 – $5.65 per square foot |
| Removal Costs | $1 – $2.15 per square foot |
| Remove and Replace | $2 – $8.50 per square foot |
Insulation Material
A variety of insulating materials are available. Consumers can choose based on their energy efficiency, environmental impact, and price range goals. Certain materials may prove better suited for different projects and locations within the home.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass consists of intertwined glass fibers, a poor conductor of heat. Fiberglass rolls and batt are the most commonly used insulating material for homes. At $0.35 to $1.50 per square foot, fiberglass represents one of the most cost-effective materials for insulating your home.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is recycled paper that has been treated to be flame resistant. It is commonly used as loose-fill insulation and blown into attics and crawl spaces. Cellulose offers better performance than fiberglass but at a slightly higher price tag of $0.60 to $2.30 per square foot.
Polystyrene
Polystyrene, commonly seen in board or rigid form, offers a higher R-Value than cellulose and fiberglass. Polystyrene comes in two varieties, expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS), with the latter providing, at a higher cost, a better initial R-Value that declines over time. You can expect to find polystyrene priced anywhere between $0.55 and $5.40 a square foot.
Rock Wool / Mineral Wool
Mineral wool and rock wool are made from either volcanic rock or industrial steel slag weaved together with various materials into a wool-like material. Rock or mineral wool offers a better R-Value than fiberglass and is priced at $1.40 to $4 a square foot.
Wood Fiber
Wood fiber insulation is made from compressed wood chips and sawdust left over from the milling process. It is considered an environmentally friendly material compared to other insulators, but it costs significantly more at $4.25 – $6.75 per square foot.
Type of Insulation
Insulation comes in a variety of types, with each offering different benefits. Below are some common insulation types and their associated costs.
Spray Foam
Polyurethane spray foam insulation is a combination of chemicals that, when applied to an area of your home, expands significantly. Spray foam insulation is offered in two varieties, open cell and closed cell, with closed cell being more dense and offering better insulation. Spray foam insulation costs range between $1.75 and $4.30 a square foot.
Blankets / Batts / Rolls
Blankets, batts, and rolls are the most common type of insulation and are typically made of fiberglass. They come in bundled, flat sections referred to as blanket or batt insulation or in large rolls that need to be cut to fit. You can find batt and roll insulation for anywhere from $0.70 to $2.00 a square foot.
Blown-In
Blown-in insulation is typically a cellulose-based insulation material that is blown into attics and narrow spaces using a machine. Blown-in insulation usually runs between $1.65 and $3.80 per square foot.
Rigid Foam Board
Rigid foam board insulation is usually a polystyrene-like material formed into rigid boards that can be cut to conform to different spaces in your home. Rigid foam board insulation will cost you $1.30 to $2.90 per square foot on average, with higher R-Values costing significantly more.
Structural Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, are prefabricated panels that serve not only as insulation for your home but also as structural walls. They are made of insulating materials sandwiched between wood, drywall, or other structurally significant building materials. SIPs will cost significantly more than other options at $7 to $12 a square foot.
R-Values
R-Values tell you how well an insulating material can prevent heat loss by regulating the flow of air in and out of your home. The higher the R-Value, the better a material will insulate your home. The graphics below show how common materials and insulation types measure up.
By Material
By Type
Labor
When installing insulation, you should expect to pay an additional $0.50 to $1.60 per square foot beyond the cost of materials to cover labor costs.
Inflation
In 2024, inflation has skyrocketed, causing rapid increases in the costs of goods and services. Homeowners should consider these rising costs when pricing insulation for their homes.
Related Services
Homeowners installing new insulation or replacing old insulation in their homes may be interested in the following services as they seek a more energy-efficient and healthy home.
HVAC Installation
Homeowners wishing to reduce their energy bills may also wish to upgrade their HVAC systems. The typical cost of HVAC installation is between $5,000 and $9,000, with the national average being $7,500.
Radiant Barriers
Radiant barriers are another great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Applying this highly reflective barrier prevents heat from transferring into your home and will cost $0.20 to $1 per square foot to install. This is one of the ways your roof can save you energy.
Mold Remediation
Removing insulation can sometimes reveal leaks and mold in your home’s infrastructure. Mold remediation can help solve these problems. The cost of mold remediation is usually between $1,373 and $3,325, with a national average of $2,347.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping seals spaces between your windows and doors and your home, improving the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems and reducing energy costs. The average price of weather stripping is between $150 and $500, and it can be installed quickly by most homeowners.
Solar Panels
Homeowners interested in energy efficiency may also be interested in the cost of solar panels. On average homeowners will pay $20,000 for solar panel installation, with costs typically ranging between $15,000 and $26,000. If you are interested in solar panels, there are government rebates available to help with installation costs.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
For each insulation type and material, there is a DIY option. In most cases, it is easier to attempt these installations during new builds before drywall and finishing are complete. This allows you unhindered access to the areas in need of insulation.
| DIY Support Materials | Average Cost |
| Vapor Barrier (1000 sq ft) | $350 |
| Caulk | $3 |
| Caulk Gun | $6 |
| Expanding Foam | $10 |
| Gloves | $18 |
| Dust Masks | $12 |
| Flashlight/Headlamp | $15 |
| Safety Goggles | $14 |
| Aluminum Straight Edge Ruler | $30 |
| Utility Knife | $12 |
| Blower Rental (Blown In Only) | $100 |
| Disposal (If Removing Old Insulation) | $200 |
| Total DIY Cost | $770 |
Homeowners looking to estimate DIY Costs for specific types of insulation should deduct the cost of labor per square foot, $0.50 – $1.60, from their professional installation cost. This will allow them to estimate what they can expect to pay for insulation materials.
| Insulation Type | Installation for 1,000 Sq Ft Minus Labor Costs ($0.50) |
| Rigid Foam Board | $800 – $2400 |
| Rolls, Batts, Blankets | $200 – $1,500 |
| Spray Foam | $1,250 – $3,800 |
| Bags – Blown In | $1,150 – $3,200 |
Cost of Insulation Installation by Location
The cost of insulation does not differ significantly by area. Most fluctuations in cost will be related to differentiation in labor costs by geographical area. To be safe, contact an insulation contractor in your area for an accurate estimate.
FAQ
Most contractors will have a minimum budget requirement of a few thousand dollars in order to undertake a project. If the project is small, some contractors will not undertake the effort, and you might engage a local handyman or attempt a DIY solution.
You should replace old insulation in the event of a rodent infestation, fire or smoke damage, or moisture issues.
If you are having trouble heating and cooling your home, this might be the result of poor insulation. You should have a professional visit your home and assess whether or not an upgrade will result in energy savings.
Different areas of your home may be better suited to different types of insulation. It’s always a good idea to consult with an expert. Ultimately, you want to try for the highest possible R-Value within your budget to ensure the best performance.
Fiberglass batts, blankets, or rolls are typically the least expensive option for insulating your home. Additionally, most homeowners are capable of installing this insulation themselves, which can save a lot of money on labor costs.
Time varies depending on the size of the project, but most insulation installations can be completed within a day if all site preparation is complete before installation begins.
Installing insulation is generally a great investment. Improved insulation results in better heating and cooling efficiency and correspondingly lower utility costs. Over time, homeowners will most likely see a 100% return on their investment. The federal government also offers a tax rebate on materials related to energy-efficient improvements.
Final Thoughts
The cost of insulating your home varies depending on the type of insulation, material, project size, labor costs, and the home area to be insulated. The average cost of insulation installation is $3,020, with costs typically ranging between $2,130 and $6,700.
Main Photo by: dunktanktechnician / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
