How Much Does Ceiling Insulation Cost? [2025 Data]
The average ceiling insulation cost is $1,900, but it can range between $500 and $4,500, depending on the type of insulation your pro installs.
The average ceiling insulation cost is $1,900, though most homeowners spend between $500 and $4,500. The primary factors that determine pricing are the size of the project and the intended R-value achievement, including how best to reach it. Who performs the work, whether it's you or your contractor, will also have a significant cost effect.
Ceiling Insulation Cost Factors
Three primary factors will determine pricing whenever you're estimating the cost of insulation installation. The big three are materials, type, and the project's size, including how much insulation you need to put in to achieve a particular R-value, meaning the amount of insulating capacity.
Material
Insulating your ceiling implies that your attic is unfinished. This fact can significantly alter the prices involved in the project compared to a finished attic insulation job. However, many of the same material types are interchangeable between the two projects.
Additionally, you can insulate between floors in your house to add soundproofing and a minimal amount of increased energy efficiency.
| Insulation Material | Cost per Square Foot (Material Only) |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass | $0.30–$1.50 |
| Rockwool | $1.40–$4 |
| Cellulose | $0.60–$2.30 |
| Spray Foam | $1–$2 |
| Wood Fiber | $4.25–$6.75 |
| Polystyrene | $0.25–$0.50 |
Size
When planning to insulate your ceilings, you can calculate how much insulation you'll need by measuring the floor layout of the space that will receive insulation.
| Ceiling Size (square feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $40–$200 |
| 500 | $200–$1,000 |
| 1200 | $480–$2,400 |
| 1500 | $600–$3,000 |
| 2000 | $800–$4,000 |
Type
The type of insulation you install in your ceiling will also impact pricing. While many types exist, some, such as batts, rolls, and blown insulation, are better in most situations than rigid types, including polystyrene or radiant barriers. Spray foam use is possible but more common in ceiling insulation applications.
| Insulation Type | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Batt and Roll | $0.30–$4 |
| Blown-in | $0.60–$2.30 |
| Spray foam | $1–$2 |
| Rigid and Radiant | $0.10–$2 |
Location and R-Value
Your home's location can determine the price of labor in your area. However, a more profound cost effect regarding your location relates to the climate in the area and how much insulating value or R-value is necessary to protect your home from the cold and heat.
| R-value | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 30 | $0.30–$2 |
| 38 | $0.60–$3 |
| 49 | $1–$4 |
Labor
Most homeowners choose to hire an insulation expert for their ceiling-insulating projects. The cost of labor for the work varies somewhat by location but is more closely related to the type of insulation and job specifics, such as intended R-value and access. On average, most insulation pros charge $40 to $80 per hour.
Prep
Preparing your space for ceiling insulation may include determining if removing your old insulation is necessary before installing new. If you're replacing ceiling insulation because of water damage, you'll need to replace most, if not all, existing insulation. However, in cases where no damage is present, you can simply add new insulation over the existing. This is especially true for blown-in and batts or rolls that are in good condition. The cost of old insulation removal and any other prep work necessary will average between $40 and $80 per hour.
Permits
Because insulation is so crucial for your home, most municipalities require that you or your contractor obtain a building permit for most insulation projects that go beyond simply adding more or making minor additions. Permits for insulation work can range from as little as $50 to $500, depending on the scope of the work.
Access
In most homes, access to the space between your home's uppermost ceiling and the attic will be straightforward. However, if there are parts of the attic that are challenging to reach or only reachable by removing drywall, expect to spend between $50 and $75 per square foot of the affected area to cover the cost of drywall repairs after the insulation project is complete.
DIY Ceiling Insulation vs. Hiring a Pro
If you have good access to your attic and a strong understanding of insulation, you can save some money by DIYing ceiling insulation. You'll need to rent a blower for between $15 and $25 per hour to install blown-in insulation types on your own. However, some home centers provide free equipment rentals when you buy enough blown insulation for an entire project.
Regardless of the type of insulation you install yourself, you'll need the proper tools and personal protection equipment (PPE), including gloves, a mask or respirator, and protective clothing.
Insulation can be a dirty and challenging job, which is why most homeowners opt to hire a local insulation company to perform the task. An insulation installer has the tools and abilities to keep the rest of your home unaffected during the installation process. They’ll also know the necessary R-values and vapor barrier requirements and will secure any necessary permits.
“Insulating key areas in your home, particularly the attic, ensures more consistent indoor temperatures, reduces strain on heating and cooling systems and maximizes savings. Installing attic insulation can lower energy consumption because your heating or cooling system won’t have to work as hard to maintain your indoor temperature. With improved insulation, your home will be less susceptible to outdoor temperatures. Insulating your attic can lower energy bills by up to 15%, preventing heat loss in winter and blocking heat gain in summer.”
Cost of Common Ceiling Insulation Add-Ons
Insulating your ceiling is just one way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. If your insulation replacement job is necessary due to roof damage, expect to spend an average of between $400 and $1,920 to cover roof repair costs before insulation work can begin.
Additionally, when you insulate your ceilings, you may also take advantage of the time slot to tackle some other energy-efficiency-related items on your to-do list.
Home energy audit cost: $210–$700
Crawlspace encapsulation cost: $5,000–$15,000
Basement insulation cost: $1,800–$3,000
Wall insulation cost: $1,400–$6,300
Garage insulation cost: $1,900–$7,700
HVAC replacement cost: $5,000–$12,500
Tips to Reduce Cost While Insulating Ceilings
While insulating your ceiling can represent a significant investment, the project will increase your home's energy efficiency, allowing you to recapture some of the cost in lower energy bills. However, if you're looking to save some immediate cash on the project, there are some things you can do to help control the total price.
Take advantage of federal, state, and local rebates and incentives that apply to installing energy-efficient upgrades and materials in your home.
Perform some of the preparation work yourself, including moving obstacles out of the way for your installer and even removing existing insulation yourself if the job calls for it. Just remember that you'll need to protect yourself with the proper PPE when doing so. In some cases where asbestos may be present, this won't be a DIY option.
Schedule your insulation project during the off-season, which falls between April and June each year. This is when your installer is less likely to be busy and could offer discounted rates.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding insulation to ceilings is an excellent way to increase the energy efficiency of your home. If your home's layout is such that you need insulation in the ceilings rather than in the roof, it's likely that at least some insulation already exists in the space. However, each additional inch of insulation you can add boosts the R-value by between 2.2 and 4.2.
Adding too much insulation can have detrimental effects on your home and on your wallet. Where you live will determine the optimal amount of insulation for your home and in your ceilings. Adding more than the recommended amounts can cause airflow problems that can lead to moisture trouble. You may also spend more than necessary by adding too much insulation to the point that it'll become unrecoverable through your energy bills.
