You can do it yourself for about $500. Blowing attic insulation isn't hard, but it's dusty, sweaty work. To make insulating an attic easier, grab a helper and set aside two days: one for attic prep and the second to actually blow the insulation.
Loose fill (blown-in insulation) is best for tight spaces or if your attic already has a layer of insulation that just needs to be topped off. If you choose loose fill insulation, you'll need to rent a machine to install it.
DIY Blown-In Insulation Installation vs.
If you're determined to go it alone, bags of insulation cost $30 to $70 each and cover around 100 square feet. So, for an attic of 1,000 square feet, you can expect materials to cost $300 to $700. Renting a blowing machine costs around $100 to $200 per day.
Safety Risks: Installing insulation involves handling materials that can be harmful to your health, such as fiberglass or spray foam chemicals. Without proper protective gear and knowledge of safety precautions, you may put yourself at risk.
Adding insulation to the attic is generally a moderately difficult do-it-yourself (DIY) project, but the benefits can be substantial. If you are doing a major home renovation project, now may be a great time to tackle this project too.
Best Time of Year to Buy Insulation
In this case, the spring is the best time, because you will also start to see savings in the summer months. The same is true for warmer climates, just different times of year because you'll want the job finished before the heat sets in.
Blow-in insulation is complicated for DIYers, especially for wall cavities. Attic insulation can be a DIY project with a rented or borrowed blower, but it is still challenging.
DIY fiberglass roll and batt insulation installation can cost about $150 to $700 for a 500-square-foot attic space. Let's compare that with hiring a contractor. Professional insulation contractors charge $1,000 to $2,400 for fiberglass batt and roll insulation installation.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
Rolled insulation generally has a lower upfront cost than blown insulation. However, blown insulation tends to have a higher R-value, meaning it can provide superior attic insulation, creating potential for cost savings on heating and cooling bills in the long term.
Blown-in insulation, available in fiberglass and cellulose varieties, generally lasts 20 to 30 years. Fiberglass tends to be the more durable option, while cellulose is more sensitive to humidity, which can affect its longevity in certain climates.
Cons of Blown-In Attic Insulation:
Poor installation can lead to uneven coverage, material waste, and even structural issues like sagging ceilings. Hiring a skilled installer is crucial to getting the most out of this insulation type.
You can spread the insulation the old-fashioned way – by hand – pouring the material straight out of the bags into the cavities between the floor joists. Spread it around with a garden rake or broom. To coax it into difficult-to-reach areas, try a yardstick or short pole. Leave it loose, not packed down.
Leaving Too Many Gaps
One of the biggest problems DIY homeowners face is leaving too many gaps in their insulation. Gaps or insulation that isn't secured correctly can leave the building structure open to air and moisture leaks. Spray foam insulation is best for reaching into small cracks and any areas left open.
The cost to insulate a 2000-square-foot house can range from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the type of insulation used and other factors.
Fiberglass batts and rolls are fairly inexpensive and can be installed in open and accessible areas like attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists by the handyman homeowner. The homeowner can install blown-in cellulose insulation, but a machine must be rented for the installation.
With certain types of insulation materials, installing your own insulation is definitely doable—and you can save money not hiring a professional. Installing fiberglass or mineral wool insulation are simple DIY projects. Other insulation types, such as spray foam insulation, require the use of a professional.
The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
The blown-in insulation cost per sq ft for walls ranges from $1.70 to $3.70, influenced by factors like wall construction, accessibility, and the need for repairs post-installation.
However, insulation can start falling from fiberglass batts after 15 to 20 years, so if your insulation was installed in batts well over a decade ago, it might be time for an inspection or a home energy audit.
A well-insulated home can also significantly impact its resale value. When it comes to buying a house, potential buyers look for features that will save them money in the long run. And insulation is one such feature that can positively affect the overall value of a home.
The average cost to insulate a house is $1,600 to $8,000. Insulation material prices are $0.50 to $2.80 per square foot, plus $0.50 to $1.70 per square foot for installation labor. Insulation replacement costs $2 to $8 per square foot, including old insulation removal.