Total Estimated Cost:
(Includes materials and labor)
Understanding Blown-In Insulation Costs
Blown-in insulation, often called loose-fill insulation, is a popular choice for attics due to its ability to fill irregular spaces and provide a high R-value. The cost of installing blown-in insulation can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of material, the area to be covered, the desired level of insulation (R-value), and labor costs. This calculator provides an estimate based on common inputs.
Factors Influencing Cost:
Area Size: The larger the attic or space to be insulated, the more material and labor will be required, thus increasing the overall cost.
Desired R-Value: The R-value measures thermal resistance; a higher R-value means better insulation performance and typically requires a thicker layer of insulation, increasing material costs.
Existing Insulation: If you have existing insulation, you may only need to add a certain thickness to reach your desired R-value, reducing the amount of new material needed.
Material Type: Fiberglass and cellulose are the most common blown-in insulation materials. Cellulose is often made from recycled paper products and can sometimes be more expensive than fiberglass.
Labor Costs: Installation is typically done by professionals, and labor rates vary by region and installer. The time required for installation also plays a role.
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator estimates the total cost by considering the material costs and labor costs separately.
Material Cost Estimation:
The calculator first determines the total thickness of insulation needed. This is calculated by subtracting the depth of existing insulation (if any) from the desired total R-value's required depth. You'll need to consult insulation manufacturer charts to find the required depth for a specific R-value and material type. For simplicity, this calculator uses pre-defined depths or you input it directly.
The area to be insulated is multiplied by the required depth to find the volume of insulation needed. This volume is then converted to the number of bags or quantity of material.
The number of bags/quantity is multiplied by the average cost per bag/unit of the chosen material (which is pre-programmed or can be approximated based on market research).
Formula Basis:
Volume = Area (sq ft) * Thickness (ft)
Material Quantity ≈ Volume / Coverage per Unit (e.g., cubic ft per bag)
Material Cost = Material Quantity * Cost per Unit
*Note: Actual material cost can be influenced by bulk discounts and specific product pricing. Our calculator uses estimated average material costs per square foot for a given R-value.*
Labor Cost Estimation:
The estimated hours required for installation are multiplied by the provided hourly labor rate.
Formula:
Labor Cost = Estimated Hours * Hourly Labor Rate
Total Estimated Cost:
The sum of the estimated material cost and the estimated labor cost gives the total estimated cost for the blown-in insulation project.
Formula:
Total Cost = Material Cost + Labor Cost
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimated cost based on the inputs provided. Actual costs may vary due to regional pricing, specific product choices, attic complexity, and installer fees. It is recommended to get quotes from local insulation professionals for accurate pricing.
var materialCostsPerSqFt = {
fiberglass: { r19: 0.60, r30: 0.75, r38: 0.90, r49: 1.10, r60: 1.30 }, // Approx. cost per sq ft for desired R-value
cellulose: { r19: 0.70, r30: 0.85, r38: 1.00, r49: 1.20, r60: 1.40 }
};
// Simplified mapping of R-value to required inches (these are approximations and vary by product)
var rValueToInches = {
19: 6,
30: 9,
38: 11,
49: 14,
60: 18
};
function calculateCost() {
var areaSqFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById("areaSqFt").value);
var desiredRValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById("desiredRValue").value);
var existingInsulationDepth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("existingInsulationDepth").value);
var materialType = document.getElementById("materialType").value;
var laborRatePerHour = parseFloat(document.getElementById("laborRatePerHour").value);
var hoursToInstall = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hoursToInstall").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var totalCostSpan = document.getElementById("totalCost");
// Input validation
if (isNaN(areaSqFt) || areaSqFt <= 0 ||
isNaN(desiredRValue) || desiredRValue <= 0 ||
isNaN(existingInsulationDepth) || existingInsulationDepth < 0 ||
isNaN(laborRatePerHour) || laborRatePerHour <= 0 ||
isNaN(hoursToInstall) || hoursToInstall {
return Math.abs(prev – desiredRValue) < Math.abs(curr – desiredRValue) ? prev : curr;
}, Object.keys(rValueToInches)[0]); // Start with the first R-value
requiredThicknessInches = rValueToInches[closestRValue] || 0; // Default to 0 if not found
// Calculate the thickness of insulation to add
var thicknessToAddInches = Math.max(0, requiredThicknessInches – existingInsulationDepth);
if (thicknessToAddInches === 0) {
totalCostSpan.innerText = "$0.00";
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// Get material cost per square foot based on material type and R-value
var materialCostPerSqFt = 0;
if (materialCostsPerSqFt[materialType] && materialCostsPerSqFt[materialType][`r${closestRValue}`]) {
materialCostPerSqFt = materialCostsPerSqFt[materialType][`r${closestRValue}`];
} else {
// Fallback or broader estimate if specific R-value is not found for material
// This part would ideally be more robust, perhaps interpolating or using a generic per-inch cost
console.warn("Specific material cost for R-value not found. Using a broader estimate.");
// Example fallback: Use a cost for R30 as a middle ground if exact isn't available
materialCostPerSqFt = materialCostsPerSqFt[materialType]['r30'] || 0.80; // Default average if all else fails
}
var estimatedMaterialCost = areaSqFt * thicknessToAddInches / 12 * materialCostPerSqFt; // thicknessToAddInches / 12 to convert inches to feet
var estimatedLaborCost = laborRatePerHour * hoursToInstall;
var totalEstimatedCost = estimatedMaterialCost + estimatedLaborCost;
// Format the currency
totalCostSpan.innerText = "$" + totalEstimatedCost.toFixed(2);
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}