Updated September 19, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.
Batt insulation and roll insulation are essentially the same things, with one cut for length and the other a continuous roll. Batt insulation generally comes in 15- and 23-inch widths and is cut to standard wall heights to fit most cavities in the walls, floors, and ceilings between the framing. On average, batt and roll insulation costs $1,792, or typically between $1,048 and $2,536. However, expect to spend more depending on the R-value, project location, and the installation complexity.
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| National Average | $1,792 |
| Typical Range | $1,048 - $2,536 |
| Low End - High End | $495 - $4,208 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 6,970 HomeAdvisor members.
A standard insulation project costs $1,050 to $2,800 for about 1,000 square feet. You'll spend anywhere from $1 to $3 per square foot for batt or roll insulation, including materials and labor.
Blanket insulation comes in the form of batts or rolls and consists of flexible fibers, commonly known as fiberglass. Fiberglass is the most common insulation material, is made from long strands of flexible glass fibers, and comes in low-density, medium-, and high-density options. Blanket insulation is also made with wool, plastic, and organic fibers like cotton.
Ecobatt Insulation Price
Ecobatt is a sustainable insulation material made from sand and recycled glass, and ecobatt insulation costs about $1 to $2.25 per square foot.
Insulation Roll Cost
An insulation roll costs about $0.50 to $1.70 per square foot. The price fluctuates depending on the insulation's brand, material, thickness, and R-value.
Compare Quotes for Your Batt & Roll Insulation Project
Batt and Roll Insulation Pricing by R-Value
You’ll spend between $0.45 to $1.80 per square foot depending on the R-value, which measures how long it takes for heat to flow from one side of the insulation to the other. The higher the R-value, the slower the transfer (or loss) of heat. Colder climates generally need higher R-values to maintain temperatures in your home, with higher R-values typically costing more.
The most common R-value for batt and roll insulation is between R-3 and R-4 per inch of thickness. Depending on the thickness of your insulation, the R-value can go up to 60. Batt and roll insulation is also thicker, limiting how much can go into a standard 2-by-4 wall, at no more than R-15. It's becoming more popular to use 2-by-6 framed construction methods specifically to space studs further apart and provide more depth for insulation, allowing up to R-21.
Labor Cost to Install Batt and Roll Insulation
Installing batt insulation or an insulation roll costs $300 to $800 for a complete project. You’ll pay about $0.50 to $1 per square foot for labor or $40 to $80 per hour. Large or complex projects might run $1,500 or more.
Batt and Roll Cost Factors
You’ll want to consider a few additional cost factors that apply to both roll and batt insulation:
Faced or unfaced: Add $0.10–$0.20 for faced, whichcomes with a paper facing or foil cover that attaches to the wooden studs or joists and acts as a vapor barrier.
Insulation thickness: Most are cut to fill a 3.5 in depth (standard 2-by-4), a 5.5 in depth (standard 2-by-6) stud, or 10 inches for attics.
Installation complexity: You’ll pay more for complex or hard-to-access projects, particularly if you need to remove drywall to access the space.
Differences Between Batt and Roll Insulation
The difference between a batt and a roll is that a batt is cut to a specific width, height, and depth to fit between wall studs and comes in the most common height of walls for homes. Rolls are one continuous roll that come in various lengths, from 20 to 40 feet, and best suited for floors and attics or walls with custom heights. You can choose either type with or without facing.
Where to Use Insulation
Heat loss in a home comes mostly from windows and air gaps, but otherwise, it travels upward through a home’s floors and ceilings. So it’s important to insulate these areas well. Here are a few other places to consider:
Cathedral ceilings
Walls
Crawl spaces
Around ductwork
(Video) Here's the Inexpensive Way to Up Your Home's InsulationIn basements
Floors above cold spaces
Get More Out Of Your Energy Bills With Better Insulation
Additional Insulation Considerations
Up to 70% of a home's energy use comes from heating and cooling. Properly installed insulation lowers energy costs and increases comfort. Follow the tips below for the most effective insulation methods:
Determine the quality of any existing insulation.
Attics should have a minimum R-value of 30 (38 or 40+ for northern states).
Walls should have a minimum R-value of 15.
Seal and insulate your air ducts before covering them with insulation. Repairing leaks makes your HVAC more efficient, saving you money.
Batt and Roll Insulation vs. Other Options
Batt insulation and insulation rolls cost significantly less than spray foam insulation, but about the same as blown-in. In most homes, you’ll use a combination of two or three different types.
Batt and roll are sized to go between studs spaced 16 or 24 inches on center. Blown-in tends to get used in attics and spaces otherwise inaccessible by any other type. Spray foam, although expensive, insulates better than any other material, seals up all cracks, and adds a structural element to your walls.
Spray foam insulation costs: $1,300–$4,000 total
Blown-in insulation costs: $900–$2,200 total
Rigid foam insulation costs: $0.25–$1 per board foot
(Video) Insulation Installation - R-Value In Walls, Attic, And Crawl Space (cost of material and labor)Radiant barrier costs: $700–$3,000 on average
Attic insulation costs: $1,700–$2,000
DIY vs. Hiring a Batt and Roll Installer
Batt and roll insulation makes for a great DIY project, but you'll want to watch for a few things when installing it:
Don't compress it. Insulation depends on the air space it provides.
Don't allow any air gaps. It only works when the heat has to pass through it, not around it.
Always wear protective gear. Wear long sleeves, gloves, and a respirator or dust mask when installing most types of insulation materials.
You’ll also need some time to get it done right. Don’t rush insulation. If you don’t have the time or want to avoid the hassle, hire a local insulation installer.
FAQs
Is batt insulation better than blown-in?
In vertical installations, batt insulation works better since it won’t settle. However, you’ll typically want blown-in insulation in places like your attic or a combination of batt and blown-in.
How much does it cost to insulate a 1,500-square-foot house?
It costs around $250 to $1,500 in batt or roll materials to insulate 1,500 square feet. The amount of insulation for an entire house varies from home to home, depending on the house's structure.
How much does it cost to insulate a 2,500-square-foot house?
Expect to pay about $400 to $2,500 in materials to insulate 2,500 square feet with 3 1/2 inches of insulation. Different homes require different amounts of insulation, depending on the structure.
How much does it cost to install R-30 insulation?
Installing R-30 insulation costs around $1,100 to $2,300 for 1,000 square feet, if the space is open and accessible.
How many square feet does a roll of insulation cover?
A single roll of insulation typically covers around 40 to 75 square feet. However, coverage areas vary depending on the product manufacturer and type of blanket insulation.
How do you estimate the amount of insulation needed?
You can estimate the amount of insulation needed for your home by using our total square footage calculator and multiplying it by the cost per square foot of insulation for your chosen R-value. Or you can find an insulation contractor to give you an accurate quote.
Have a Question About Insulating Your Home? Ask Local Pros
FAQs
What is batt rolled or reflective insulation? ›
Blanket insulation -- the most common and widely available type of insulation -- comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool.
How do you calculate batt insulation? ›To calculate how much insulation material to purchase, simply divide your attic's square footage by the square footage of insulation in the manufacturer's package (assuming you're purchasing pre-cut batts or rolls).
How do you calculate roll insulation? ›For rolled insulation, measure the distance between the studs to determine the correct width of insulation for the job. 3. Divide the total square footage to be insulated by the square footage per package and you'll have the total number of packages needed for the job.
How much does fiberglass batt insulation cost? ›Batt and Roll Insulation Cost Estimator by Size
Average installations cost $0.95 to $2.87 per square foot, including materials and labor.
reflective insulation cost. A radiant barrier reflects radiant heat but has no R-value. Reflective insulation costs $0.60 to $2.40 per square foot with installation.
What is cheaper batt or roll insulation? ›Not only are batts easier to install, but they are also cheaper to buy when you purchase through us.
How much does it cost to insulate a 20x20 garage? ›The cost to insulate garage walls is between $550 and $15000. The size of the garage wall will determine the amount of insulation required for proper insulation. For example, the cost of insulating a 2-car garage with a dimension of 20' x 20' is within the range of $780 and $9000.
How much insulation do I need for 1000 square feet? ›For example, if the square footage of the room you're planning on insulating is 1,000 square feet and you want to achieve an R-value of 60, you will need approximately 17 bags to fully insulate your room.
How much does it cost to insulate a 24x24 garage? ›A more extensive, double-layer system with an R-30 R-value might cost closer to $1.50 a square foot. So, expect to pay somewhere between about $288 and $864 for materials needed to insulate your 24'x24' metal building.
How many sq ft does a roll of insulation cover? ›x 32 ft. Covers 40 sq.ft. (55¢ /sq.ft.)
How many feet of insulation are in a roll of insulation? ›
Insulation rolls come in standard widths of 3′, 4′, 5′, and 6′, in lengths of 50 foot.
How many square feet is a roll of r19? ›x 39.2 ft. Covers 48.96 sq. ft.
Is fiberglass insulation the same as batt insulation? ›The stiffer batts don't tend to flop over as easily as fiberglass, making it easier to put in place, and they don't require staples or wire to keep them in place. It's hydrophobic, so it won't absorb water or encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
How long does it take to install insulation? ›Most jobs will take one to two days from start to finish. Both closed-cell and open-cell spray foam insulation will dry and cure fast enough that your family can enjoy the benefits of insulation within hours.
How thick is r30 fiberglass batt insulation? ›8¼ ” thick, R-30C EcoTouch® Thermal Batt insulation prevents moisture damage and helps assure long roof life by providing 1" of ventilation air space between the insulation and roof deck. Easy Installation R-30C EcoTouch® Thermal Batt insulation is easy to handle and install.
How much does it cost to install reflective insulation? ›Some typical costs for DIY installation might be: Between $1200 for R 2.0 batts to $1300 for R 5.0 batts for 100m2 of coverage. $115 for reflective insulation for 60m2 coverage.
What is the best reflective insulation? ›In most cases, this is aluminum foil or aluminized polyester. This type of insulation reflects heat by up to 95% and prevents it from transferring to the other side of its panel.
Does reflective insulation keep cold out? ›Reflective insulation, installed in the attic ceiling, helps reflect sunlight and reduce the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. This helps keep your home cooler and more comfortable.
What is the cheapest insulation to install? ›The most common form of home insulation is the “batt and roll” or “blanket” type, which is the least expensive to purchase and install. Its most common material is fiberglass, but if you're looking for an alternative, check out these natural fiber options: Mineral wool.
What is the cheapest insulation method? ›Batt, or roll, insulation is one of the most inexpensive types of home insulation and one of the easiest to install, especially for DIYers.
What insulation is most affordable? ›
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a premier material for protecting homes, foods and sensitive materials because of its cost-effective, efficient insulation qualities. In fact, EPS leads the pack when it comes to R-value per dollar.
What is the average cost to insulate a 1500 square foot house? ›How much does it cost to insulate a 1,500-square-foot house? It costs between $1 and $5 per square foot for insulation, depending on the type. A 1,500-square-foot home could cost between $1,500 and $7,500 to insulate.
What is the best insulation to use in a garage? ›Spray foam insulation is simply the best for garage insulation. Spray foam seals the air better and performs better than other insulation methods. Spray foam offers a high R-value which means it saves energy costs better than other insulation.
What is the best insulation for a garage attic? ›Fiberglass. This is the most common type of garage insulation that homeowners prefer because it provides a finished look. It is commonly sold in long precut blankets or batts that fit well in ceiling joists and wall studs. Some companies also manufacture loose-fill that can be blown into the garage attic.
How many batts are in a bag of insulation? ›Batts Per Bag: 8
What to know before you begin any home insulation project.
More on Calculating Insulation Needs
Divide the measured square footage you obtained by 1,000 square feet to obtain the multiplication factor: 1,500 square feet/1,000 square feet = 1.5. Multiply the R-value chart number to obtain the number of bags (rounding up at the end): 40.8 * 1.5 = 61.2 or 62 bundles.
The R-Value per inch for batt insulation ranges from 2.1 to 3.6. Note this is generally less than what you'll see with various forms of loose-fill insulation.
What is the best cheapest way to insulate a garage? ›What's the Cheapest Way to Insulate a Detached Garage? In most cases, fiberglass batts/rolls are still the simplest and all-around cheapest option for detached garage insulation.
How much does it cost to insulate and drywall a 2 car garage? ›The average cost to insulate and drywall garage space for two cars is between $1,680 and $10,200. Drywall isn't required in a garage (except for walls between the garage and living area of a home), but it does offer some nice benefits. One benefit is that drywall is highly resistant to fire.
How much warmer will an insulated garage be? ›By insulating your garage door, you'll help prevent cold air from transferring through the door and be able to keep the garage an average of 10 to 12 degrees warmer.
What is the difference between R13 and R30 insulation? ›
The bigger the R value, the better the insulation is at slowing down the heat transfer. So R19 is better insulation than R13, and R30 is better than R19. The larger the R value, the better the insulation value.
What is the difference between R13 and R19 insulation? ›R13 insulation is made from lower-density fiberglass and is typically used in walls that are 2×4 studs. R19 insulation is made from higher-density fiberglass insulation and is typically used in walls that are 2×6 studs.
Is there a big difference between R13 and R15? ›Energy-Efficiency
Energy efficiency is probably the most important factor that distinguishes R13 from R15 insulation. In short, R15 is more energy efficient than R13, which means you should go with the former insulation over the latter if you're concerned about wasting energy (and money by extension).
Vapour barriers are important, as is their location. The 1/3 - 2/3 rule of thumb is close to the limit for acceptable positions (i.e. the vapour barrier can be up to 1/3 the way through the wall as measured by R- values, with 2/3 of the insulation value on the outside).
How many inches of insulation is good? ›The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
What is the highest R-Value for roll insulation? ›Traditional roll and batt insulation has between R-2.9 and R-3.8 per inch of thickness. However, these days there are high-performance rolls and batts too, which have R-values between R-3.7 and R-4.3 per inch of thickness.
What is 12x12 feet in square feet? ›How many square feet is a 12x12 room? The square footage of a room 12 feet wide by 12 feet long is 144 square feet.
Can you fit R19 in a 2x4 wall? ›...
Insulation for 2x6 Walls.
| Best Insulation for 2x4 and 2x6 Wall Studs | ||
|---|---|---|
| R-15 | 3 1/2 Inches (+/-) | Two-by-four (2x4) stud walls with true 4-inch depth. |
| R-19 | 6 1/4 Inches (+/-) | Two-by-six (2x6) stud walls |
| R-21 | 5 1/2 Inches (+/-) | Two-by-six (2x6) stud walls |
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most common insulation material. It's made from fine glass fibers and is most often used in batts, rolls and loose-fill insulation.
What is another name for batt insulation? ›
Batt insulation (also known as blanket insulation) comes in flat pieces. It is made of fiberglass or mineral wool which is pre-cut into flat pieces. Batt insulation is an inexpensive way to insulate your home. Some batt insulation comes with a foil or paper (kraft) facing and some comes with no facing.
Should I spray foam or batt insulation? ›Spray foam insulation and batt insulation are both effective at improving the energy efficiency of your home and reducing noise. As far as insulation types go, however, spray foam insulation is usually the best choice because it is more effective in extreme weather conditions and traps more heat than batt insulation.
What should you not do when installing insulation? ›- Neglecting to Air Seal.
- Blocking Air Flow.
- Spending Time and Money Pulling Out Old Insulation.
- Overstuffing.
- Stopping Short.
- Clean Up Your Attic. One of the first things that you will want to do before you get your attic insulated is to clean up the attic. ...
- Check for Water Leaks. ...
- Box Out Your Light Fixtures. ...
- Check That Exhaust Fans a Facing Out. ...
- Call A Professional.
You could do it wrong
A substantial problem when people try to install their own insulation is gaps in the insulation. Such gaps make the insulation highly ineffective. Rather than a tight seal to prevent air from leaving or entering your home, air will simply be able to travel through the gaps.
High-performance batts are specially designed for the space limitations in common cathedral ceilings. They have R-values of either 30 or 38. R-30 high-performance batts are 8-1/4˝ to 8-1/2˝ thick as opposed to standard R-30 fiber glass insulation batts of 9-1/2˝ to 10˝ (thickness may vary by manufacturer).
How many inches do you need for R30? ›The average recommended level is 14 inches of R49. In Zone 2, the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 9 inches of R30 fill. The average recommended level is 17 inches of R60. In Zone 3, the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 9 inches of R30 fill.
How thick should Fibreglass insulation be? ›Thicknesses of fibreglass insulation start from 60mm and increase by 20 mm (80, 120, 140, 160, 180,…). A minimal thickness of 160mm is recommended in order to insulate a pitched roof. To make sure there are no seams, you may as well work with two alternating layers.
Is reflective roll insulation good? ›Standing out among dozens of diversified insulation options, reflective insulation is one of the best choices to ensure lower bills, increase your return on investment and protect the people, animals, goods and equipment that may be inside your structure.
Is reflective insulation better than fiberglass? ›The U.S. Department of Energy reports that reflective insulation is the most effective at preventing downward heat flow, making it a better choice for roof insulation where keeping heat out is the most important factor.
What is the purpose of reflective insulation? ›
Unlike mass insulation, reflective insulation is able to keep heat in and reflect heat away. Mass insulation material like fiberglass and foam merely slow down the transfer of heat; they do not reflect heat away, nor do they keep heat in. Reflective insulation has the ability to control the transfer of radiant heat.
What are examples of reflective insulation? ›Examples include foil-faced boards, reflective foil-faced blankets and foil-backed batts. The orientation of the foil needs careful consideration to ensure it is most effective and does not add to condensation risk. Be aware that reflective foil insulation should be on the warm side of any building system.
How long does reflective insulation last? ›As long as homeowners or certified attic specialists install them appropriately, radiant barriers last anywhere from 80 to 100 years. They are built to last and won't cause you any major issues for decades.
Does reflective insulation work in winter? ›Radiant Barriers (Reflective Insulation)
This type of insulation is most effective in warmer climates, but can also be used for comfort and energy savings in cold weather.
Rigid foam insulation is one of the most popular types of insulation. It is made from polystyrene or polyurethane and can be used to insulate both homes and commercial buildings. Rigid foam insulation is very effective at preventing heat loss and is often used in walls, ceilings, and floors.
What are the disadvantages of reflective foil insulation? ›Disadvantages of Reflective Insulation • It is generally more expensive due to being a metal-based product. Whilst effective in warmer climates, it will be required to be combined with other forms of insulation in colder climates. This is in order to prevent heat loss in cold weather from convection.
What is the best insulation wear? ›Insulation Layer
Natural fibers, like wool, goose down, or fleece work best. Wool socks are a great choice to keep your feet cozy and dry.
Reflectix can be used as wall cavity insulation—but tacking it to the centers of the studs in each cavity is a laborious process. Even if you managed to do this, the R-value of this system would hover around R-3.9.
How thick is reflective insulation? ›The product consists of two 96% reflective layers of film bonded to two internal layers of heavy gauge polyethylene bubbles (total thickness 5/16”). A wide variety of widths and lengths are manufactured.
What are 3 materials that are highly reflective? ›Metallic silver (Ag), gold (Au) and aluminum (Al) are the most widely studied as highly reflective materials. Other materials such as different nanocrystalline metal oxides -TiO2, ZnO, MgO and Al2O3 are widely used as IR reflectors.
Where do you put reflective foil insulation? ›
Radiant barriers are installed in homes -- usually in attics -- primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. They don't, however, reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.
Can I use reflective insulation and fiberglass insulation? ›Fiberglass insulation and bubble insulation foil work well together to keep heat out of your home. The fiberglass works to slow the transfer of heat, while foil insulation works best at reflecting the radiant heat transfer.