How much does batt & roll insulation cost?
How much does batt & roll insulation cost?
$0.80 – $2.60 cost per square foot installed
$1,100 – $3,900 average total cost installed
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.
| Location | Average cost installed |
|---|---|
| Attic floor | $1,100 – $3,900 |
| Exterior walls (whole house) | $1,100 – $5,300 |
| Ceilings (whole house) | $2,000 – $11,800 |
| Ceilings (average room) | $200 – $2,400 |
| Unvented crawl space | $1,400 – $2,800 |
| Garage walls | $670 – $2,600 |
| Garage attic floor | $600 – $1,500 |
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 R-value.
| Square feet | Average cost to install |
|---|---|
| 100 | $80 – $260 |
| 300 | $240 – $780 |
| 500 | $400 – $1,300 |
| 700 | $560 – $1,800 |
| 1,000 | $800 – $2,600 |
| 1,200 | $960 – $3,100 |
| 1,500 | $1,200 – $3,900 |
| 2,000 | $1,600 – $5,200 |
| 2,500 | $2,000 – $6,500 |
Average cost to install batt and roll insulation
The following table shows the average cost to install batt and roll insulation, including labor and materials.
| National average cost | $2,500 |
| Minimum cost | $200 |
| Maximum cost | $6,500 |
| Average cost range | $1,100 to $3,900 |
*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. One 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 cavity sizes.
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-value | Thickness (inches) | Material price (per square foot) | Total cost installed (per square foot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-11 | 3.5 | $0.10 – $0.70 | $0.60 – $2.00 |
| R-13 | 3.6 | $0.15 – $0.80 | $0.65 – $2.10 |
| R-19 | 6 – 6.25 | $0.40 – $1.00 | $0.90 – $2.30 |
| R-21 | 5.5 | $0.60 – $1.20 | $1.10 – $2.50 |
| R-30 | 9.5 – 10 | $0.50 – $1.70 | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| R-38 | 12 | $0.60 – $2.00 | $1.10 – $3.30 |
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 for labor and materials.
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.
Red list chemicals are dangerous to human health and the environment.
Labor cost to install batt insulation
Insulation contractors charge $40 to $80 per hour or $0.50 to $1.30 per square foot for labor 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 insulation costs 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, increasing costs.
Additional supplies required for installation cost $25 to $50 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. Some contractors include this cost in their installation estimate.
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:
Attic insulation costs $1,000 to $2,700 installed, depending on the type. Most contractors consider fiberglass batts to be the best attic insulation.Â
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+, depending on the condition.
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 $10 to $25 per square foot. Asbestos testing costs $250 to $850.
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.
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.
Blanket insulation comes in batts or rolls made of fiberglass with low, medium, and high-density options.
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. Installation is easiest 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, 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.
Always protect your eyes and skin to prevent irritation when handling fiberglass. Wearing a dust mask is also recommended.
How many rolls of insulation do I need?
To determine how many rolls of insulation you need:
Multiply the length x width of the wall, floor, or ceiling to get the square footage.
Check the square feet coverage on the bag of insulation you plan to use. Coverage specifications vary by product and manufacturer.
Divide the square footage from step #1 by the square feet coverage listed on the bag to get the total number of rolls needed.
Batt & roll insulation FAQs
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 manufacturer. The package label typically 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.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select insured and bonded companies that have been in business for 5+ 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?
What additional costs should I expect?
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?
Are there rebates available, and do you apply for them?