Attic Insulation Austin TX

According to statistics from EPA's Energy Star Association, energy bills can be cut by 30-50% with a properly sealed building envelope versus a vented one. The initial cost of the spray insulation should be seen as an investment as it will pay for itself over time.

Absolutely! The biggest expense when converting an attic would be to install closed cell foam instead of open cell foam. In northern climate zones closed cell is required. However, in central Texas open cell is the primary foam. Using open cell drops the cost of foam by 1/2.   Other than this item, what we include in our proposals is what is required to do the job right. And it is best to do it right, or not do it at all. 

The price depends on the size of the attic, scope of work required to do it right, and the difficulty of the work. We have fixed pricing and do not charge more for nicer parts of town. Everyone gets the same rate. With that said, you can see the 3 main project types pricing above. 

Many people ask “How much attic insulation is enough? How much R-value should I have?”

Most attic insulation is deficient. Homes are under-insulated according to the current IECC and City of Austin building code requirements. Why?

Before the year 2000, there were NO energy codes that required minimums for insulation.

Plus, even a new home can be uncomfortable or have damaged insulation. Questions? Call (512) 710-2839

The problem is often bigger than simply the amount of insulation in the attic.

What is an easy way to know if you need new insulation? If you can see the joists in your attic floor, then your own home is under-insulated.

You want to have at least an R-49 (COA code went from R-38 up to R-49 in 2021). BUT, many homes are still uncomfortable even with the proper R-value on the floor.

We believe attics must be air sealed, before insulating. So our process is very different than most contractors who just “Put Lipstick on a Pig” and don’t fix comfort or energy savings problems.

1. Here Stellrr removed the soiled attic insulation near Austin.
2. Air sealed the penetrations and leaky cracks.
3. Encapsulated the HVAC system air ducts to ensure your air conditioning is delivered at the perfect temperature.
4. Lastly, blew in Energy Star highly recommended level of R-60 All Boric Cellulose attic insulation. It was a great job!

Short answer is, the entire attic floor should be covered with insulation. If you are using spray polyurethane foam, then we highly recommend the attic ceiling (roof deck) be sprayed. Foam does great work as a radiant barrier. If you have vaulted ceilings, or multiple ceiling heights, then insulation must be stuck to the back of the drywall. We often see hot spots in one room where there is a raised ceiling. Fiberglass batt insulation is often stuffed up against the raised ceiling wall, and falls down (becoming useless) over time.

Batt insulation in attics is a problem building assembly.

It is more costly to remove insulation than it is to simply add more on top of the existing insulation. Before learning how to insulate an attic in Texas, you need to know about removal. Here are a few reasons why you would want existing radiant barrier and insulation removed:

• Is someone living in the building allergic to the insulation material installed?
• Does someone in the building have a sensitivity to outside allergens coming into the Austin home via the vented envelope?
• Is there excessive dust, dust mites, and other things filtering into the home via the attic?
• Have animals nested and left feces behind that is venting into your air space?
• Do you have mold or too much moisture in your attic?
• Do you have asbestos in your old attic insulation?

When you remove the insulation, you can hire the insulation installation crew to air-seal the attic floor if you are replacing the insulation with another blown or batt material. If you are creating a closed envelope with closed cell foam or open cell foam, you can then remove nasty old insulation and create storage space across your attic. Questions? Call (512) 710-2839!

The bottom line is that, insulating an attic, without air sealing is Mal-practice!

The cost ranges widely depending on whether you have fiberglass, cellulose or spray foam installed. However, to FIX IT RIGHT, we are often seeing the costbeing $7,000 – $14,000 per 1,000 sq ft of attic.

Now if you want to “Put Lipstick On A Pig” and not fix anything, the material costs of blowing more attic insulation can be as low as $2,000 per 1,000 sq ft of attic. If you want to save money on air conditioning and cooling costs with home insulation, do it right. It’s not as simple as adding a radiant barrier. Get a free estimate from Stellrr. We will look at your attic and crawlspace insulation.

Fiberglass and cellulose insulation each offer unique advantages. Fiberglass is a lightweight material made from spun glass fibers, known for its durability and moisture resistance. It is often more affordable and widely available. On the other hand, cellulose is an eco-friendly option made from recycled paper treated for fire and pest resistance. It provides excellent soundproofing and superior performance in irregular spaces due to its ability to settle into gaps. However, cellulose can be more susceptible to moisture and may require additional treatments in humid areas.