Insulation Calculator
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Area to Insulate
Attic
Walls
Crawlspace
Floor
Area (sq ft)
500
800
1200
1500
2000
Current R-Value
R-0
R-7
R-11
R-13
R-19
Target R-Value
R-30
R-38
R-49
R-60
Climate Zone (for recommended R-value)
Zone 1 (Hot-Humid) — Attic R-30, Wall R-13
Zone 2 (Hot-Humid) — Attic R-38, Wall R-13
Zone 3 (Warm) — Attic R-38, Wall R-20
Zone 4 (Mixed) — Attic R-49, Wall R-20
Zone 5 (Cool) — Attic R-49, Wall R-20
Zone 6 (Cold) — Attic R-49, Wall R-21
Zone 7-8 (Very Cold) — Attic R-60, Wall R-21
Set recommended R-value for my zone
Insulation Type
Fiberglass Batts (R-3.2 per inch)
Blown-In Fiberglass (R-2.5 per inch)
Blown-In Cellulose (R-3.5 per inch)
Spray Foam (Open Cell) (R-3.7 per inch)
Spray Foam (Closed Cell) (R-6.5 per inch)
Rigid Foam Board (XPS) (R-5.0 per inch)
Rigid Foam Board (Polyiso) (R-6.0 per inch)
Mineral Wool Batts (R-3.3 per inch)
Thickness
10.9"
inches needed
Units
88
bag(s)
DIY Cost
$1,596
materials only
Annual Savings
$18
payback: 89.4 yrs
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Cost Breakdown
Item
Cost
Blown-In Cellulose (88 bags)
$1,596
Professional Labor
$960
DIY Total
$1,596
Professional Total
$2,556
Insulation Type Comparison
Type
R/Inch
$/sqft/R
Notes
Fiberglass Batts
3.2
$0.05
Most common, DIY-friendly
Blown-In Fiberglass
2.5
$0.04
Great for attics, fills gaps
Blown-In Cellulose
Selected
3.5
$0.035
Eco-friendly, good coverage
Spray Foam (Open Cell)
3.7
$0.08
Air sealing + insulation
Spray Foam (Closed Cell)
6.5
$0.12
Highest R-value, moisture barrier
Rigid Foam Board (XPS)
5.0
$0.07
Great for basements, foundations
Rigid Foam Board (Polyiso)
6.0
$0.09
Best R-value per inch, foil-faced
Mineral Wool Batts
3.3
$0.07
Fire resistant, soundproofing
Recommended R-Values by Climate Zone
Zone 1 (Hot-Humid)
Attic:
R-30
Wall:
R-13
Floor:
R-13
Zone 2 (Hot-Humid)
Attic:
R-38
Wall:
R-13
Floor:
R-13
Zone 3 (Warm)
Attic:
R-38
Wall:
R-20
Floor:
R-25
Zone 4 (Mixed)
Attic:
R-49
Wall:
R-20
Floor:
R-25
Zone 5 (Cool)
Attic:
R-49
Wall:
R-20
Floor:
R-30
Zone 6 (Cold)
Attic:
R-49
Wall:
R-21
Floor:
R-30
Zone 7-8 (Very Cold)
Attic:
R-60
Wall:
R-21
Floor:
R-38