Cost Guides · Insulation
Cost to Insulate Attic in 2026: Cellulose Bag Prices
The cost to insulate attic space in 2026, priced from the bag up: two retailer prices for the same cellulose product, the manufacturer’s own coverage chart, and what installers actually earn.
What is the cost to insulate attic space right now?
The cost to insulate attic space starts with the bag, not a contractor’s flat quote. Two retailers sell the same 25 lb bag of Greenfiber Sanctuary blown-in cellulose. Sutherlands lists it at $15.97. True Value lists it at $19.99. The manufacturer’s own chart says one bag covers 19.0 square feet at R38. Material alone runs $0.84 to $1.05 per square foot. Labor, equipment, and removal ride on top. This guide prices the material only, so labor is quoted separately.
What does the same bag of attic insulation cost at two retailers?
Insulation contractors quote by the job. These two retailers sell the identical Greenfiber Sanctuary product and both post a price on the page.
| Retailer | Product | Price per 25 lb bag | Captured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutherlands (multiple stores, MO/OH/TX/KS/MS) | Greenfiber Sanctuary cellulose blown-in insulation | $15.97 | Sept 25, 2026 |
| True Value Hardware | Greenfiber Sanctuary cellulose blown-in insulation | $19.99 | Sept 25, 2026 |
Why does the cost to insulate attic space change with the target R-value?
A bag of loose-fill cellulose covers less area as you pack it thicker. Greenfiber’s own chart lists 25.9 square feet per bag at R30 and 19.0 at R38. At R49 it drops to 14.1, and at R60 to just 11.6. The per-square-foot material cost roughly doubles from R30 to R60.
Turn an attic photo into an itemized estimate, free →
What does it cost to insulate attic space at each R-value?
The manufacturer’s own bags-per-1,000-square-feet figure, priced at both retailers, gives this range.
| Target R-value | Max sq ft per bag | Bags per 1,000 sq ft | Material cost per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| R30 | 25.9 | 38.6 | $616 to $772 |
| R38 | 19.0 | 52.6 | $840 to $1,051 |
| R49 | 14.1 | 70.8 | $1,131 to $1,415 |
| R60 | 11.6 | 86.0 | $1,373 to $1,719 |
A typical 1,000 square foot attic taken to R38 runs $840 to $1,051 in bagged material. That excludes the rental blower, soffit baffles, and the labor to run the hose.
Price the job from the bag price
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Measure the attic floor square footage
Length times width, minus any area you skip. Our concrete slab cost calculator uses the same math for a different surface.
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Pick your target R-value
R30, R38, R49, and R60 are the standard targets on the manufacturer’s own coverage chart. Higher R-value means more bags per square foot.
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Count bags from the coverage chart
Divide square footage by the max per bag, then round up. Do not exceed the stated maximum or the R-value falls short.
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Price labor, equipment, and removal separately
Blower rental and hose labor are separate line items. The bag price covers material only.
What do insulation installers earn on top of the bag price?
Insulation workers earn a $26.32 mean and $23.62 median hourly wage nationally. Construction laborers earn a $25.02 mean and $22.66 median (BLS, May 2025). Those are wages paid, not rates billed. Burden and margin ride on top, as our contractor hourly labor rates by trade page explains.
SimplyWise Cost Estimator for the cost to insulate attic space
SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job-site photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Material, labor, and fee lines are editable, so enter your own bag price and count. Send a branded quote the client signs to approve. It is $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr, about $20/mo on annual, with a 7-day free trial.
Keep reading
- Spray Foam Insulation Cost: the pricier alternative to blown-in cellulose.
- Roof Replacement Cost: attic work often gets bundled with a roof job.
Sources
Retail prices
- Sutherlands, Greenfiber 25-Pound Cellulose Blown-In Insulation product page, $15.97, captured 2026-09-25.
- True Value Hardware, SANCTUARY 25 Lb. Blow-In or Spray Applied Insulation product page, $19.99, captured 2026-09-25.
Manufacturer and labor data
- Greenfiber SANCTUARY Fact Sheet, PM-6.3329 Rev K 05/26, Attic Coverage Chart, captured 2026-09-25.
- BLS OEWS May 2025 national wage data, occupation codes 47-2131 and 47-2061, captured 2026-09-25.
- SimplyWise Cost Estimator on the App Store, 4.8 rating, verified 2026-09-25.
Frequently asked questions about the cost to insulate attic space
The price
What is the cost to insulate attic space in 2026?
A 25 lb bag of Greenfiber Sanctuary cellulose insulation posts at $15.97 (Sutherlands) to $19.99 (True Value). At R38, one bag covers 19.0 square feet, so material alone runs $0.84 to $1.05 per square foot. Labor and equipment are separate.
How much does a bag of attic insulation cost?
The same Greenfiber Sanctuary bag posts at $15.97 at Sutherlands and $19.99 at True Value Hardware. Both prices were captured September 25, 2026. Check both before you buy since the price gap is real, not a typo.
How much you need
How many bags of insulation does a 1,000 square foot attic need?
At R38, the manufacturer’s chart calls for 52.6 bags per 1,000 square feet. That runs $840 to $1,051 in material at the two retailer prices above. At R60 it rises to 86.0 bags, or $1,373 to $1,719.
What R-value should an attic be insulated to?
The manufacturer’s coverage chart publishes bag counts for R30, R38, R49, and R60. Higher targets need more bags for the same area. Check your bag’s own label for the manufacturer’s stated minimum thickness at your target R-value.
Estimating the job
Can I measure my attic with my phone camera instead of a tape measure?
Tape or wheel the attic floor and enter the dimensions. SimplyWise Cost Estimator then turns a job-site photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. On a Pro iPhone, the room scan captures interior measurements with LiDAR. Every line stays editable.
Does SimplyWise Cost Estimator price attic insulation jobs?
It builds material, labor, and fee line items, each with unit, quantity, and price per unit. Enter your bag price and bag count, then set the labor line. Send a branded quote the client signs to approve. Pricing is $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr, with a 7-day free trial.
Turn a bag price into a bid that holds margin.
Snap a photo and get an itemized estimate with editable lines. Send a branded quote before you book the job. Free to try, then $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr after a 7-day trial.