Room Insulation Costs

Room insulation is one of the best ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home and to keep out any drafts. The types of insulation available include: blown-in, fiberglass batting, spray foam, and radiant or reflective barriers. Most homes utilize blown-in insulation, for its cost-effectiveness and longevity. The type of insulation required, as well as the area of the room, will affect your total cost.

Not only does the size of the room impact the cost of insulation, but the type of space will also have an impact on what you spend on a single area. For example, insulating walls in a single bedroom may be much cheaper than spray-foaming insulation onto an entire roof. This is due to the difficulty and location of the job, as well as the type of insulation and tools required. The final factor of insulation costs will be the R-value of the materials used. Building standards require R49 insulation for attic and ceiling spaces and an R15 to R18 for walls, for example.

Room insulation: by material, including price per square foot and based on insulation R-value, with total costs calculated for an average size room of 200 square feet.

Other considerations and costs

• There may be rebates available from your energy supplier or another company for improving your home’s insulation. Be sure to get a home energy audit before making any energy improvements. Most energy companies offer them for around $20-$50, and sometimes coupons are available. Plus, you can often save up to 10 times that in rebates, depending on your location.
• This estimate does not include taxes or equipment costs.
• It is cheaper to install insulation in new construction than to add it to an existing structure. When the walls and ceilings are open, everything can be done easily. You may pay a premium for insulating areas that are harder to access, or for reinstalling drywall and making necessary repairs afterward.
• Blown-in and spray foam insulation cost significantly more upfront, but can offer more in the way of energy savings and improved home value in the future.

DIY considerations

• While laying regular sheets of insulation may be a doable project for the average handy person, blown-in and spray foam applications should always be done by an experienced professional. The fumes and particles generated are dangerous to breathe and application methods take skill.
• If you can take care of things like demolition and site prep, you may be able to reduce the labor costs of your insulation job.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.