Learn the key factors that influence the cost of renting a blown-in insulation machine.
Blown-In Insulation Cost in Houston [2026 Data]
Normal Range: $1,040 - $2,122
The average cost of installing blown-in insulation in Houston, TX, is $1,578, depending on the square footage and other cost factors.
How we get this data
Cost Insights
Houston’s blown-in insulation costs are 3% lower than the national average.
Costs depend on the size of your home and R-value required.
Houston homes are the second-largest in the country, which can drive up costs.
You don’t have to budget for permits or sales tax on labor in Houston for this project.
Insulation can save Houstonians an average of $300 a year on cooling costs.
Blown-in insulation costs in Houston are roughly 3% lower than the national average price for this type of insulation installation. This is closely aligned to Houston’s overall cost of living, which is about 6% lower than the U.S. average. The average Houstonian pays $1,578 to have blown-in insulation professionally installed, but prices often range from $1,040 to $2,122 in this part of the Lone Star State. The investment can pay off, especially given Houston’s average high temperatures in the summer, as you can expect significantly lower cooling costs after installation.
Blown-In Insulation Cost Factors
The cost of blown-in insulation in Houston depends on several factors, including the size of your home (Houston has the second-largest homes in the U.S., which can drive up blown-in insulation costs if insulating the entire house), the R-value, and the type of insulation.
Size of the Area
The biggest cost factor is the size of the area that requires insulation. A larger area requires more insulation and labor, increasing the overall price. This metric is calculated by multiplying your square footage by the cost per square foot of your chosen insulation materials, which are detailed below. However, a general range for blown-in insulation per square foot is $1.70 to $7.30 depending on the type.
| Area in Square Feet | Blown-in Insulation Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 500 | $850–$3,640 |
| 1,000 | $1,700–$7,280 |
| 1,500 | $2,550–$10,920 |
R-Value
When measuring the efficacy of any insulation material, it all boils down to the R-value. Generally speaking, higher is better, though there are two metrics to consider. There’s the overall R-value and the per-inch R-value. For example, if you want a total R-value of 30, you’ll need ten inches of insulation at an R-value of 3.0 per inch. Materials with higher R-values cost more, like sheep’s wool, but you don’t need as much material to complete the installation.
Below is a breakdown of R-values and the corresponding prices:
| R-Value | Number of Bags per 1,000 sq. ft. | Description | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-13–R-21 | 7–10 | This is the ideal R-value for walls in Houston. | $225–$320 |
| R-30–R-49 | 15–20 | This is the ideal R-value for attics in Houston (R-30 to R-60). Floors are slightly lower, ranging from R-25 to R-30. | $485–$1,550 |
| R-38–R-49 | 20–26 | This is the ideal R-value for attics in Houston (R-30 to R-60). | $1,260–$1,550 |
| R-49–R-60 | 26–32 | This is the ideal R-value for attics in Houston (R-30 to R-60). | $1,550–$1,940 |
Type of Insulation
The cost to install blown-in insulation depends on the type of insulation you choose for the project. Anticipate spending anywhere between $0.50 and $2.25 per square foot for materials, not including installation. Below is a breakdown of each blown-in material type and how much it costs.
| Type of Blown-In Insulation | R-Value per Inch | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | 2.5 to 3.5 | $0.50 to $1.05 |
| Wet-spray cellulose | 3.2 to 3.7 | $0.60 to $1.75 |
| Dense-pack cellulose | 3.2 to 3.7 | $1.95 to $2.25 |
| Rockwool | 3.0 to 3.7 | $1.35 to $2.05 |
| Natural wool | 3.5 to 3.8 | $1.45 to $3 |
Blown-In Insulation Pro Costs
A core part of blown-in insulation costs in Houston (or any city across the U.S.) is the labor. On average, wall insulation labor costs between $0.25 and $0.50 per square foot, but this can vary widely. Obtain quotes from at least three Houston insulation companies to gain a better understanding of the cost.
Here are some other labor-related costs to consider:
Permits
Permits are generally not required in Houston when installing blown-in insulation to your existing home, though you will need permits for larger renovation projects and new construction, both of which may include installing insulation. If you’re not positive whether you need a permit, ask your contractor.
Taxes
In Houston, you don’t have to budget for sales tax on the labor cost of the installation. Houston does not tax labor for repairs and remodels for residential properties.
Does New Blown-In Insulation Increase Home Value?
Blown-in insulation is a great way to increase the value of your Houston home. Because of Houston’s humidity, heat, and extreme weather, potential buyers are interested in homes that are energy-efficient and can remain cool (affordably) during the hot Houston summers.
But you’ll do more than increase your home’s value when it’s time to sell. Adding blown-in insulation to your home means you’ll enjoy reduced energy bills for as long as you remain in the house. On average, insulation reduces energy costs by 15%.
Given Houston’s average monthly electric bill of $168, homeowners can save approximately $25 per month, or $300 per year, on cooling costs.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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