How much does batt & roll insulation cost?

Batt insulation cost

Batt and roll insulation costs $0.80 to $2.60 per square foot installed or $1,100 to $3,900 total, depending on the R-value and project size. A roll of insulation costs $20 to $90 and covers 40 to 75 square feet. Labor costs $0.50 to $1.30 per square foot to install batt insulation.

Batt and roll insulation cost per square foot

Batt and roll insulation costs $0.80 to $2.60 per square foot installed, depending on the brand, material, and the required R-value of the insulated space.

Average cost to install batt and roll insulation

The following table shows the average cost to install batt and roll insulation.

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Roll of insulation cost

A roll of insulation costs $20 to $90, depending on the brand, material, and R-value. A roll of insulation covers 40 to 75 square feet on average.

• Roll insulation is ideal for larger areas like flooring for continuous coverage and reduced air gap potential.
• Batts work best in framed spaces as they are pre-cut to standard wall, floor, and rafter cavities.

Batt insulation prices by R-value

Batt insulation prices range from $0.10 to $2.00 per square foot for the materials and $0.60 to $3.30 per square foot installed, depending on the R-value.

• R-38 insulation is the minimum recommended R-value for attics in cold and mixed-humid climates.
• R-30 insulation is the maximum recommendation for floors and crawlspaces in colder regions.
• R-19 insulation is the minimum recommended R-value for 2' x 6' framed walls.
• R-21 insulation is thinner than R-19 insulation due to R-21's higher density.
• Completely replacing the insulation or installing the maximum recommended R-value for attics (R-60) costs $1.50 to $4.70 per square foot installed.

Ecobatt insulation prices

Ecobatt insulation costs $0.40 to $1.00 per square foot for the material alone, depending on the R-value. Ecobatt insulation is sustainable fiberglass made from 30% recycled glass and free of formaldehyde and red list chemicals. Ecobatt is naturally brown but performs like traditional, pink fiberglass insulation.

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Labor cost to install batt insulation

Insulation contractors charge $40 to $80 per hour or $0.50 to $1.30 per square foot to install batt insulation. Labor costs depend on local rates and the size and location of the area being insulated. A 2-person crew can typically install 1,000 SF of insulation in 4 to 5 hours.

Batt insulation cost factors

Factors that affect batt insulation cost include:

• Size – Bigger spaces require more insulation material and labor.
• Accessibility – Complex jobs like vaulted ceilings or hard-to-reach areas require more time and labor.
• Additional supplies required for installation cost $25 to $50 on average for every 1,000 square feet of insulation.
• Faced vs. unfaced – Faced insulation is slightly more expensive and is typically used in first-time applications. Unfaced insulation is best when increasing the attic insulation or adding it between floors or interior walls for soundproofing.
• Material – Rockwool batt insulation costs 40% to 50% more than fiberglass.
• Brand – Batt insulation prices vary by manufacturer, including Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Johns Manville, and Knauf.
• New construction vs. existing walls – Insulating new construction is typically cheaper due to ease of access.
• Removing old insulation costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
• Required R-value – Homes in cold climates require higher R-values than warmer regions. In most cases, batt insulation prices increase as the R-value increases.
• Attics –
  • Most contractors consider fiberglass batts to be the best attic insulation. Attic insulation costs $1,000 to $2,700 on average when including other types.
  • Air sealing between the attic and living space costs $350 to $3,000 and can cut energy bills by 20%.
  • Attic cleaning costs $100 to $600 or more, depending on the condition.
• Electricians charge $40 to $100 per hour to address wiring issues.
• Roof vent installation costs $200 to $700. Any vents exhausting into the attic must be vented outside before insulating the attic.
• Mold removal costs $15 to $30 per square foot.
• Asbestos removal costs $20 to $65 per square foot. Asbestos testing costs $250 to $750.
• A pest inspection costs $40 to $150 and is recommended before insulating an attic or crawl space. Pest extermination costs $135 to $200 per visit.

Differences between batt and roll insulation

The main difference between batt and roll insulation is batts are pre-cut pieces while rolls are cut to length during installation.

• Batt and roll insulation are both made of fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, or natural fibers and designed to fit the width of standard studs, rafters, and floor joists.
• Blanket insulation comes in batts or rolls made of fiberglass with low, medium, and high-density options.
• Rolls are 20' to 40' long and ideal for large areas requiring continuous coverage.
• Batts are easier to install and are designed to fit between framing, studs, rafters, trusses, joists, and other tight spaces.
• Batt insulation may also be covered with kraft paper or aluminum to act as an air or vapor barrier. Batts with a special flame-resistant facing are available for places where the insulation is left exposed.

Where to use batt insulation

Batt insulation may be used in ceilings, floors, and walls. It is easiest to install in unfinished wall cavities and new construction framing. Insulating an attic with batts is DIY-friendly but is typically less effective than blown-in insulation that better fills gaps and oddly shaped areas.

DIY cost to install batt and roll insulation

Installing batt and roll insulation DIY costs $0.10 to $2.00 per square foot on average, depending on the R-value required. Add $25 to $50 per 1,000 SF for additional materials like fasteners and foam sealant. Batts are typically easier to install DIY than rolls since the batts are pre-cut.

How many rolls of insulation do I need?

To determine how many rolls of insulation you need:

1. Multiply the length x width of the space to get the square footage.
2. Check the square feet coverage on the bag of insulation you plan to use. Coverage specifications vary by product and manufacturer.
3. Divide the space's square footage by the square feet coverage listed on the bag to get the total number of rolls needed.

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Frequently asked questions

How many square feet does a roll of insulation cover?

A roll of insulation covers 40 to 75 square feet, depending on the brand and type.

How many batts of insulation are in a bag?

A bag of batt insulation contains 8 to 16 batts, depending on the product and manufacturer. The package label indicates the number of batts in the bag and the total square footage of coverage provided.

How thick and long is a roll of batt insulation?

Batt insulation rolls are 20' to 40' long and 3.5" to 12" thick, depending on the R-value and intended application. R-value increases as thickness increases. Compressing the insulation decreases its R-value.

When to use foil-faced batt insulation?

Foil-faced batt insulation is ideal for attics and exterior walls because it keeps heat in during the winter and out during the summer. The foil also acts as a moisture barrier in the attic when installed with the foil side facing down.

Foil-faced insulation is combustible and should only be used in non-exposed applications.

Does batt insulation help with sound?

Batt insulation absorbs sounds and reduces noise levels by 3 to 5 decibels, dampening the sound but not completely blocking it. Batt insulation has a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 36 to 50, depending on the material. The higher the STC rating, the better the soundproofing.

Is batt insulation better than blown-in?

Batt insulation is better than blown-in insulation for simple-shaped spaces because it comes in pre-cut, standard sizing. Blown-in insulation costs $1.00 to $2.80 per square foot and is better for irregularly shaped areas—like attics—as it fills in the gaps.

The best but most expensive insulation is spray foam. Spray foam insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot installed.

Finding and hiring insulation installers

Before hiring insulation contractors near you, be sure to:

• Get at least three quotes to compare.
• Ask for a firm, itemized bid.
• Look for pros experienced in batt and roll insulation.
• Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Select insured and bonded companies that have been in business for more than five years.
• Ask for references.
• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
• Never pay in full before the project starts. Use a payment plan instead for work completed.

Questions to ask

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
• How long have you been in business?
• What experience do you have with batt and roll insulation?
• Is removing damaged or old insulation included in the quote?
• Is there a warranty?
• Can I be in the house during the insulation process?
• How long will the project take?
• How long should the insulation last?
• Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?
• What additional costs should I expect?
• Are there rebates available, and do you apply for them?

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