The average cost of wool insulation runs from $1.40 to $2.10 per square foot, but costs can go up to $3.10 per square foot
Mineral wool insulation costs $1.40–$2.10 per square foot
Material and labor make up the majority of the cost
Batt and roll insulation is a simple DIY
Blown-in insulation requires a pro
Insulation has an ROI of 100% or more
The average wool insulation cost is $2,800 or between $1.40 and $4 per square foot. However, it can range from $1,400 and $4,000. While the cost per square foot is greater than that of fiberglass insulation, the materials have higher R-values and an excellent return on investment (ROI), making it an excellent choice for value seekers.
The cost of insulation for your home varies by material, type, project size, and R-value or insulating characteristics. Wool insulation provides excellent R-values. However, it's more costly to install than some other insulation types. The benefits include less heat transfer per inch of thickness compared to fiberglass insulation.
Common wool insulation material includes mineral wool, sheep’s wool, and hemp wool. Sheep’s wool is the most expensive option, followed by hemp, then mineral.
Mineral wool is made of rock or slag that's heated and spun into fibers. The fibers are bound together with resin and oil to create mineral wool. You can blow in mineral wool insulation or cut pieces from rolls.
Mineral wool offers excellent thermal insulation, with R-values between 3.0 and 3.4, and is fire-resistant. It is also the least expensive wool insulation material available. However, mineral wool isn’t all-natural, so it’s important to cover your skin when installing it to prevent irritation. It can also be dangerous to inhale when installing. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mineral wool is a possible carcinogen.
Sheep's wool is a natural insulation made of treated sheep's wool. It offers excellent insulation, with an R-value of between 3.5 and 3.8, and is an energy-efficient renewable product. You don't need protective gear to install sheep's wool, as it’s safe and all-natural. Sheep's wool is primarily available as batt insulation instead of blown-in and costs more than other wool insulation materials on average.
Natural hemp insulation is made of hemp fibers and is another eco-friendly choice. It has an R-value of between 3.5 and 3.7. Hemp insulation is available as batt insulation and is harder to find than mineral wool and sheep's wool. You won't need protective gear to install hemp, but you'll need a saw to cut through it, making its installation more costly than other wool insulation materials.
| Wool Insulation Material | Cost per Square Foot (Material Only) |
|---|---|
| Mineral | $1.40–$2.50 |
| Sheep | $2.10–$4 |
| Hemp | $1.45–$4 |
Wool insulation is available in a couple of types, including batts or rolls and blown-in styles. Your attic insulation cost will most often refer to the price of blown-in varieties, while your cost to insulate a wall will reflect the price of batts or rolls. Ceiling insulation costs may reflect either or both, depending on your project's specifics.
| Wool Insulation Type | Cost per square foot (material only) |
|---|---|
| Batt or roll | $1.40–$4 |
| Blown-in | $2–$7 |
It's safe to say that the larger your insulation project is, the more it will cost to accomplish. However, insulating a small space of a couple hundred square feet or less will cost more per square foot than when insulating larger areas. The difference is due to the carryover in tasks, such as setup and prep work, that are necessary regardless of the job size.
| Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 200 | $300–$800 |
| 500 | $700–$1,200 |
| 1000 | $1,400–$4,000 |
| 1500 | $2,000–$6,000 |
| 2000 | $4,200–$7,000 |
Your reasoning for installing wool insulation can play a pricing role. If you're adding an addition to your home or building a new home, the cost of installing insulation can be significantly lower per square foot than when remodeling an existing space due to the fewer tasks associated with preparation. Additionally, installing a vapor barrier where necessary will increase the cost of insulating by $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot.
The preparation necessary to install wool insulation is the same as that needed for other insulation types. For remodels or to replace existing insulation, expect demolition and removal costs of between $50 and $100 per hour for professional labor to make way for the new insulation.
Additionally, during remodeling, you may need to move or alter plumbing, electrical, and HVAC components before the insulation goes in.
Hourly rate plumbers charge: $45–$200 per hour
Cost to hire an electrician: $50–$200 per hour
Hourly rate for HVAC repairs: $50–$100 per hour
Depending on how your insulation installer or contractor bids your project, the cost of labor is included in the estimate. The total cost to hire a contractor will represent between 10% and 50% of your project's overall price.
The cost of labor will vary depending on your location for a couple of reasons. First, labor costs will be higher, on average, in locations that have a high cost of living. It will cost more to hire a professional insulation installer in major metro areas than in rural areas. The second reason is the climate in your location. Colder regions of the country require that house insulation reaches greater R-values than in places that stay warm for most of the year.
The cost of a permit for insulation and remodeling work reflects a percentage of the job cost or a flat rate, depending on your municipality. Because insulation has a direct effect on how our houses function in relation to energy efficiency, permits are most often necessary when undertaking a remodel that requires its installation. Expect to pay between $140 and $1,000 for permitting and the subsequent inspections as needed and depending on the scope of work involved.
Installing wool insulation is a feasible DIY project if you have the required skills. Installing it yourself can save money on the cost of professional installation by reducing labor charges. However, you'll need a solid understanding and technical knowledge of the principles of insulating and plenty of personal protective gear, including appropriate clothing, eyewear, gloves, and a respirator.
A more common DIY task is to learn to inspect and repair insulation in your home as necessary. For installation, however, most homeowners choose to hire a local insulation installer to make sure they get the most value from their investment.
If you're completing a remodel on your home, insulation costs may be just part of the project. After insulation installation, most homeowners can expect to need drywall and other work to complete the list of tasks.
Drywall repair cost: $300–$930
Drywall installation cost: $985–$3,200
Additionally, if you're looking to increase the overall energy efficiency of your home, you may consider knocking some of these jobs off 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
Installing wool insulation in your home is an excellent way to increase its energy efficiency, lower your energy bills, realize a high ROI, and feel more comfortable in your home. However, the job can represent a significant dollar-amount investment. Here are a couple of ways to help control costs and keep you on budget.
Check local, regional, state, and federal websites for tax rebates and other incentives for updating your home with energy-efficient products, and take advantage of them when possible. Your professional insulation installer or remodeling contractor can help you identify which ones your project qualifies for.
While hemp and sheep wool insulation can provide a higher R-value per inch of thickness, mineral wool still offers excellent insulating qualities compared to fiberglass and does so at a lower average material cost than hemp or sheep. Consider using mineral wool instead of natural options to save on initial installation costs.
Each of the three types of wool insulation has particular disadvantages. While their R-value is higher, they all cost more than fiberglass versions. Installing mineral wool and sheep wool requires protective gear. Because of its vulnerability to insects, chemicals are used in its production. Hemp wool is more costly to install than other types because additional tools and labor are involved.
Mineral wool has an excellent life expectancy of up to 50 years, provided it's kept dry and free of pests. Compared to fiberglass, with a life span of 20 to 30 years, mineral wool stacks up well for long-term cost savings. Sheep wool maintains a similar life span to fiberglass, while estimates for hemp wool insulation life expectancies are all over the board, ranging anywhere from 20 to 100 years.
The primary reason that insulation saves you money over time is that it reduces your energy bills by making your home more energy efficient. A crucial part of an insulation system is a properly installed vapor barrier. Local building codes dictate whether your insulation requires a vapor barrier based on the type installed. While some high-quality wool insulation may not technically need a vapor barrier, most municipalities still require one to meet code.
