Insulation
Cold rooms upstairs and a heating bill that keeps climbing.
How much attic insulation you have, the common types, what adding more costs, and the old materials you should leave alone and test.
Attic insulation cost
Price per square foot by type (blown-in, batts, spray foam), the R-value targets by climate zone from ENERGY STAR and DOE, and what a quote should list. Old vermiculite or suspected asbestos: stop and test first.
The questions we answer about insulation
- 01
Blown in insulation
Cellulose vs fiberglass, where blown-in fits, and pro vs rented-machine price. Price, not procedure.
- 02
Spray insulation
Open-cell vs closed-cell, where spray foam is worth it, why it is a pro job (fumes while curing), and price.
- 03
Rockwool insulation
What mineral wool is, fire and sound behaviour, and price against fiberglass.
- 04
R38 insulation
What R-38 means for attics, which climate zones call for more, and the price.
- 05
R19 insulation
What R-19 means, where it goes (2x6 walls, floors), and the price per roll.
- 06
Faced vs unfaced insulation
Which goes where and why the facing faces the warm side; when unfaced is right.
- 07
Pipe insulation
Foam vs fiberglass sleeves, which pipes to cover before a freeze, and the price of this cheap part.
- 08
Vermiculite insulation
What vermiculite looks like, why EPA says assume it may contain asbestos, and what to do: leave it alone and call.
- 09
What does asbestos insulation look like?
Pictures of the common types (vermiculite, pipe lagging, block) and the honest call: do not touch it, have it tested, hire a licensed abatement pro. Never removal steps.