How much does house insulation cost?

Author: Derrick Kertzmann  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

Insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot installed, depending on the type, material, R-value, and area. 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.

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

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.

How much does 1500 sq ft of insulation cost?

Average Cost of Fiberglass Insulation

The cost of fiberglass insulation can range from $0.40 to $1.50 per square foot, depending on the type and R-value chosen. When calculating the cost for an average home of around 1,500 square feet, homeowners can expect to pay between $600 and $2,250 for materials alone.

Is whole house insulation worth it?

Unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today, but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years.

Should I replace 20 year old insulation?

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.

Spray Foam Insulation Cost: Everything You Need To Know

What is the downside of insulation?

Irritation to skin and respiratory system

Wall insulation solutions like Rockwool are made of ultra-fine fibres. While thermally efficient, they can cause skin and respiratory irritation.

Can I install insulation myself?

DIY Home Insulation Pros

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.

What is the labor cost to install insulation?

Most installers charge between $40 and $80 per hour to install insulation, so the more complex the project, the more it will cost. A few complexities that may increase the cost of labor include: Your installer needs to install insulation in hard-to-reach areas.

Which insulation is best for an attic?

Fiberglass batt is considered to be the best insulation for attics. Compared to other insulation materials, it is the cheapest and easiest to install.

How to insulate an old house?

How to Insulate Walls in an Old House
  1. Apply a house wrap/vapor barrier to exterior walls.
  2. Attach 1-inch foam board insulation.
  3. Install siding over the insulation.
  4. Replace old windows with energy-efficient units.
  5. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks.

How do I estimate the cost of insulation?

Cost and Considerations

Attic insulation installation ranges from $1.50 sq/ft. to $2.45 sq/ft. The average cost of attic insulation installation is $1.80 sq/ft.

Can you put insulation over existing insulation?

In many cases you can add new insulation on top of old insulation, unless the old insulation is wet, mouldy, or vermiculite. If the old insulation is dry but appears to have previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair the problem.

Can you put too much insulation in a house?

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.

Do you need a contractor to install insulation?

The type of material you want to use—Batts or rolls are typically installed by homeowners while other types of insulation generally require professional installers (though blown insulation equipment can be available for rental)

What is the cheapest way to add insulation?

Here are the three cheapest ways to insulate internal walls:
  1. Insulation Boards. Insulation boards are a popular choice for internal wall insulation because they are relatively affordable and easy to install. ...
  2. Battening the Walls. ...
  3. Building a Stud Wall.

Should I remove old attic insulation before adding new?

Do I Have To Remove Old Insulation? Unless your insulation is wet, moldy or infested with pests, you don't need to remove it before adding insulation on top of it. ENERGY STAR® recommends that you inspect your insulation for signs of mold, mildew, moisture and pest infiltration before making this determination.

How long does insulation last?

Signs It's Time to Replace Insulation

For most homes, it can last for 20-80 years! That being said, like all things, insulation tends to wear down over time. If you are living in an older home and encountering some of the following problems, it may be time for a replacement.

Is adding insulation to an attic worth it?

SAVINGS AND COMFORT

EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements.

Where should you not put insulation?

Never place insulation close to water heaters, oil burners or anything hot. The backing is especially flammable and will be a major fire hazard for your home.

Does insulation increase property value?

The short answer is yes, upgrading insulation can increase the resale value of a home.

What is a disadvantage of fiberglass insulation?

Fiberglass batt insulation does have some drawbacks. They can be itchy and irritating to handle, and inhaling the fibers can cause respiratory problems. It's important to wear protective clothing and a mask when handling and installing fiberglass batts.

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