How Much Is Insulation Per Square Foot?

By Dan WienerLast update
Cost Of Insulation Per Square Foot

Effective room insulation is by far one of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. The thing about room insulation is that it works almost like an orchestra in that every musician has to play in concert with every other musician to bring life to the vivid sounds that we love so much.

So, how much is insulation per square foot?

The national average stands at around $0.33 minimum and $0.48 maximum. But, of course, there could be issues that arise that make this price tag go up. It comes down to the kind of material you decide to use, the contractor, and the type of insulation you go for. All of these can affect the overall cost per square foot.

That being said, let’s take a closer look at the estimated insulation costs per square foot.

The Cost Of Different Insulation Materials Per Square Foot

One of the biggest it depends on this list is the kind of materials you decide to use for your insulation project. Typically, homeowners can use various materials from batt insulation, spray foam insulation, blown-in insulation, and reflective barrier insulation.

Each insulation type has its own price point. Here’s a quick look at the average cost of each:

  • Batt Insulation Cost:  $0.67 to $1.32 per square foot
  • Closed Cell Foam Insulation Cost: $1 to $2 per board foot, which is calculated as square foot x inches-depth
  • Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation Cost: $0.45 to $0.65 per board foot
  • Radiant or Reflective Barrier Insulation Cost: $1.35 to $2.15 per square foot
  • Blown-In Insulation or Loose Fill Insulation Cost: $1 to $1.50 per square foot
  • Cellulose Insulation Cost: $1.20 per square foot
  • Foam Insulation Cost: $0.44 to $1.50 per board foot

Cost Of Insulation Per Square Foot By Type Of Installation

Another major factor that plays a role in determining the overall price of home insulation per square footage is the type of installation that is required for proper insulation. Insulating a new house doesn’t cost the same as insulating an old house.

Of these two, the best time to add insulation to your house is when it’s still under construction or it is new construction. This is when you have all the walls, floors, and other parts that need insulation open. The pricing goes down because there are no barriers or hindrances such as siding to jack up the labor costs. Let’s take a quick look at the main differences.

Average Cost Of Insulating A New Home

When it’s being constructed, insulating a new home will cost you anywhere between $0.65 and $6.50 per square foot. That price difference depends on several factors, including the type of insulation material you want to use.

One of the most common insulation materials is batt insulation when dealing with the ceilings and the walls, while spray foam insulation is best when dealing with an open wall cavity or floor. It’s also advisable to use rigid foam board insulation on the exterior of the building before you side your walls.

The best part about new construction is that you can easily mix and match the types of insulation materials you use depending on the insulated area and your budget.

Average Cost Of Insulating Existing Walls

Insulating an existing wall would typically cost anywhere between $1.75 to $7.50 per square foot. In this case, using spray foam insulation or blown-in insulation is often the best course of action when you want to avoid completely removing the drywall. The blown-in option is often much easier to use and less expensive than other types of insulation in this case.

Factors To Consider When Calculating The Cost Of Insulation Per Square Foot

Image Source: Valentynsemenov

As you can tell, the cost of insulation per square foot varies quite a bit. Several factors affect this price, and to help you get the best value for money, here are some that you need to bear in mind.

  • Get several estimates before committing to a contractor. It’s advisable to get at least 3 to 5 estimates for comparisons sakes. You could also consider DIY if you have the time and passion for these kinds of projects. That will not only eliminate the labor costs, but it will give you valuable experience in house insulation.
  • Research material prices before contacting the insulation contractor. In this case, it’s important to approach several companies to see how the prices of each insulation contractor compare. You could also ask your local hardware store what the most advisable insulation material for your area is so that you get what you need.
  • Whatever figure you come up with, budget about 15% more because there will be hidden costs that you can’t see until you are well into the project. These are things like the actual design of your home and everything else that comes with tampering with the walls and floors during a home insulation.
  • Try getting insulation estimates in the fall or winter. This is when most contractors and suppliers don’t have much traffic in terms of customers. As such, they offer huge discounts to attract buyers. You might get a good bargain.

How much is insulation per square foot? It depends, but it is typically $0.65 to slightly above the $7 mark. Doing it yourself and researching material prices will allow you to make significant savings on that overall cost.