Attic Insulation Cost Calculator
What an attic job costs depends less on the insulation than on everything around it: how much R-value your climate zone needs, what is already up there, whether the old material comes out, and whether the attic is air-sealed first. Enter your attic and this prices every part, as a contractor job or DIY.
Your project
Loose fill needs a baffle in each rafter bay at the eaves so it cannot block the soffit vents.
Your results
- Installed attic insulation cost
- $2,114 – $3,632
- Cost per sq ft of attic
- $2.11 – $3.63
- Target R-value
- R-60
- Climate zone 5; you have about R-10 now
- Insulation to add
- 20 in (R-50)
- Bags
- 29 bags
- Includes 10% for settling and obstructions
- Insulation material
- $1,044 – $1,392
- Installation labor
- $600 – $1,100
- Air sealing
- $350 – $900
- Rafter baffles (40)
- $120 – $240
Estimates use typical US material and labor pricing. Confirm quantities against the coverage chart on the bag before you buy.
Gear for this job
Blown In Cellulose Insulation
Attic Measuring Rulers - Attic Insulation R-Value Ruler,Thick Card Stock,25 inches,for Ceiling Insulators Insulation (30)
$26.99
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Aimee’s Workshop Attic Anchor - Insulation Ruler Depth Markers for Blown-in Insulation 30 Pack, 24 Inch Heavy Cardstock
$29.98
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Attic Insulation R-Value Ruler - Attic Measuring Rulers, 25 Inch Colorful Card Stock Attic Depth Ruler for Home,(100 per Pack (100)
$42.99
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Attic Ventilation Baffles
SmartBaffle 24 Insulation Baffle - Durable Polyethylene Attic Baffles for 24" On-Center Rafter Bays with 2" Air Channel - Rafter Vents Improve Roof Ventilation & Prevent Insulation Blockage- 30 pieces
$172.50
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bimiti 36 Pcs Attic Insulation Baffles for 14½" Rafter Bays, 2" Air Channel
$121.99
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30 Pack 24 Attic Insulation Baffle, Large Black Durable Polypropylene Attic Baffles 24" On-Center Rafter Bays with 2" Air Channel Rafter Vents Improve Roof Ventilation and Prevent Insulation Blockage
$165.99
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Thermal Imaging Camera Home Inspection
TOPDON TC004 Mini Thermal Imaging Camera, 240 x 240 TISR Resolution
$159.00
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AccuMEMS GT14S Thermal Imaging Camera, Thermometer Mode, Ultra-Light 240g
$89.99
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Flir One Pro - Thermal Imaging Camera for iOS Smartphones (iPhone 15 and Newer w/USB-C), 480x360 Super Resolution (160x120 Native IR)
$349.00
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Prices as of Oct 1, 2026, 4:38 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How this calculator works
- R to add = zone target R − (existing inches × 2.5)
- Bags = R to add × area ÷ bag rating (R·sq ft per bag) × 1.10
- Labor = area × $0.60–$1.10 (loose fill) or $0.70–$1.30 (batts)
- Removal = area × $1.00–$2.25 (pro); air sealing $350–$2,000 (pro)
- Total = material + labor + removal + air sealing + baffles
Attic insulation cost by attic size (blown fiberglass, zone 5, 4 in existing, basic air sealing)
| Attic | Contractor | DIY |
|---|---|---|
| 600 sq ft | $1,412 – $2,556 | $702 – $1,136 |
| 800 sq ft | $1,763 – $3,094 | $923 – $1,434 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,111 – $3,626 | $1,143 – $1,730 |
| 1,200 sq ft | $2,423 – $4,110 | $1,327 – $1,978 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $2,942 – $4,902 | $1,656 – $2,420 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $3,767 – $6,166 | $2,167 – $3,106 |
Computed with this calculator. Removal of old insulation adds $1.00–$2.25 per sq ft with a contractor.
Recommended attic R-value by climate zone (DOE / ENERGY STAR)
| Zone | Where | Attic target | Blown fiberglass depth | Cellulose depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S. Florida, Hawaii | R-30 | 12 in | 8.3 in |
| 2 | Gulf Coast, S. Texas | R-49 | 19.6 in | 13.6 in |
| 3 | Southeast, S. California | R-49 | 19.6 in | 13.6 in |
| 4 | Mid-Atlantic, Pacific NW | R-60 | 24 in | 16.7 in |
| 5 | Midwest, New England | R-60 | 24 in | 16.7 in |
| 6 | N. Midwest, N. New England | R-60 | 24 in | 16.7 in |
| 7 | N. Minnesota, Maine | R-60 | 24 in | 16.7 in |
| 8 | Alaska interior | R-60 | 24 in | 16.7 in |
Targets are for an uninsulated attic floor; ENERGY STAR gives R-30 to R-49 for zone 1 and R-49 to R-60 for zones 2–3. Depths are settled inches at this site's R-per-inch figures.
What drives the cost
The insulation itself is usually the smallest decision. A contractor blowing fiberglass or cellulose charges roughly the same per square foot for either, and both reach the same R-value at slightly different depths. What moves the total is how much you are adding (a bare attic in zone 6 needs R-60, about 24 inches of blown fiberglass at this site's conservative R-2.5 per inch), whether old insulation has to come out first, and whether the attic floor is air-sealed before anything is blown in.
Air sealing is the step most often skipped and the one that matters most. Warm air leaking through top plates, wiring holes, plumbing stacks and the hatch carries heat past any depth of insulation. The US Department of Energy recommends sealing these leaks before adding insulation, and it is far cheaper to do while the attic floor is still visible.
Top up or remove?
Dry, clean insulation can stay; new loose fill goes straight on top. Remove it if it is wet, moldy, contaminated by rodents, or if it is vermiculite (grey-brown, pebble-like), which can contain asbestos and should be tested and handled by a professional — never vacuumed out yourself. Removal roughly doubles a small job's cost, which is why the calculator keeps it as a separate line.
Published 2026 figures
2026 consumer cost guides put installed blown-in fiberglass at roughly $1.00–$1.80 per square foot and cellulose at $1.10–$1.80, with air sealing typically $300–$1,500 on top and $1,000–$2,000 more when old insulation has to be removed. Homewyse's September 2026 model for blown-in attic insulation (R-45 cellulose, with debris disposal and equipment included) runs higher at $3.90–$8.11 per square foot. This calculator builds the price from parts instead, so you can see which parts a quote includes.
Sources consulted: Angi and HomeGuide blown-in insulation cost guides (2026 data); Homewyse, “Cost to Install Blown-In Attic Insulation” (September 2026); ENERGY STAR recommended home insulation R-values; Owens Corning AttiCat coverage chart.
Keep going
- Is it worth it? insulation payback calculator
- Is it worth it this winter? payback by climate zone
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to insulate a 1,000 sq ft attic?
Topping up 4 inches of old insulation to R-60 with blown fiberglass, with basic air sealing and baffles, is roughly $2,100–$3,600 with a contractor in this calculator, or about $1,100–$1,700 DIY. Removing the old insulation first adds $1,000–$2,250.
Is it cheaper to blow in insulation or use batts in an attic?
For an open attic floor, blown-in is usually cheaper and performs better because it fills around joists, wires and bracing without gaps. Batts make sense for small areas, knee walls and where you want to be able to lift them to reach wiring later.
Should I remove old attic insulation before adding new?
Only if it is wet, moldy, contaminated by rodents or damaged. Dry, clean insulation still has R-value and can stay; new loose fill goes straight on top. Vermiculite should be tested for asbestos before anyone disturbs it.
Does attic insulation pay for itself?
Usually, in a poorly insulated attic. The energy savings calculator on this site works out the payback from your own bill; federal and utility incentives, where available, shorten it further.
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Installed attic insulation cost
$2,114 – $3,632