How Much Does Insulation Cost To Install? [2024]

Looking to insulate your home and want to know how much it would cost?

Read this article to find out: 

• How much does insulation installation cost per hour? 
• How much do different types of insulation cost?
• Types of insulation 
• Why should you insulate your home?
• What are r-values in insulation?
• How to hire an insulation installer

How much does insulation installation cost per hour? 

These are some baseline hourly rates you can expect insulation installers to charge, based on a range of factors:

• Low range: $60 per hour to hire a newer, less experienced installer
• Mid range: $60 to $80 per hour to hire a fairly experienced installer with references and good workmanship
• High range: $80 to $120 per hour to hire an experienced installer with a solid record of workmanship and customer reviews

Other costs you need to budget for during your insulation installation job include:

• Remove existing insulation: $5 to $10 per sq/m. This can end up being more if your insulation is difficult to access
• Difficult access areas: Expect the installer to add 10% - 20% to the total cost of your job for hard-to-reach areas - like ceiling cavities

How much do different types of insulation cost?

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of insulation, for different materials. 

Ceiling insulation

• Fibreglass batts: $30 to $50 per sq/m
• Polyester batts: $45 to $70 per sq/m 

Wall insulation

• Glasswool batts: $25 to $35 per sq/m
• Polyester batts: $30 to $40 per sq/m

Underfloor insulation

• EPS sheets: $35 to $50 per sq/m
• Polyurethane spray: $40 to $60 per sq/m

Roof insulation

• Foil backed roof blankets: $15 to $25 per sq/m
• Glasswool batts: $30 to $40 per sq/m

Reflective insulation

• Foil insulation: $20 to $35 per sq/m
• Bubble foil: $25 to $40 per sq/m

Spray foam insulation

• Open-cell foam: $25 to $40 per sq/m 
• Closed-cell foam: $40 to $60 per sq/m 

You also need to know which type of insulation is right for which part of your home. 

Types of insulation 

Insulation comes in different styles and materials. These are the main types installed in Aussie homes:

• Reflective insulation: This type of insulation is typically used to insulate your roof and features a paper core with aluminium on one side, which reflects heat away from the house. Some variants include a honeycomb core to further reduce heat gain. 
• Batt insulation: This type is typically used to insulate walls and ceilings. It comes in big rolls and is made from fibreglass or cellulose. Some types also come with a reflective surface for added efficiency.
• Spray insulation: This type is used in ceilings and is made from polyurethane with air pockets to prevent heat transfer. Spray insulation is quick to install, though it needs special equipment to do so
• Loose fill insulation: Commonly used for ceilings, this insulation type is often polystyrene and features air pockets. It is easy to install and is simply poured into place
• Insulation boards: Often used under floors, these boards are available with aluminium backing for enhanced thermal resistance

When getting quotes from your installer make sure you confirm the insulation they are using meets the relevant Australian Standard - which is Australian Standard AS/NZS 4859, Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings.

Why should I insulate my home?

Have you ever noticed your home feeling like an icebox in winter or a furnace in summer? Uncontrolled heat flow is a major culprit to big energy bills - and this can be fixed by installing insulation in your home. 

Here's how much heat an uninsulated Aussie home can lose or gain:

Winter heat loss

• Ceilings: 25-35% 
• Walls: 15-25% 
• Windows: 10-20% 

Unfortunately, the problem flips in summer, as uncontrolled heat gain can make your home feel stuffy and uncomfortable

Summer heat gain

• Ceilings: 25-35%
• Walls: 15-25% 
• Windows: 25-35%

These numbers paint a clear picture: insulation is a game-changer for Aussie homes! Don't forget about floors – they can also lose/gain 10%-20% in extreme weather.

When it comes time to choose an insulation product you also need to know about R-values.

What are R-values in insulation, and why is it important?

R-values are like a superhero cape for your home's insulation – the higher the R-value, the greater its resistance to unwanted heat flow (both in and out). Both bulk and reflective insulation have R-values, but bulk insulation varies depending on the type.

Australian Standards recommend specific R-values for ceilings and walls, with variations based on your roof colour. See these recommendations below. 

Ceilings

• Very Light Roofs (reflect heat well): R-Value of 4.1
• Light Coloured Roofs: R-Value of 4.6
• Dark Coloured Roofs (absorb more heat): R-Value of 5.1

Wall insulation

Walls generally require a lower R-value than ceilings. The recommendation for most walls is R-2.8. However, colder climates like Alpine areas benefit from a higher R-Value of 3.8 for walls and 6.3 for ceilings.

Sun-Facing walls

Walls exposed to direct sunlight may require a combination of reflective and bulk insulation. A higher R-value helps these walls resist heat transfer into your home. Remember, higher R-values throughout your home can also help prevent heat loss in winter.

How to hire an insulation installer

Before you hire an insulation installer, it’s important to ask them a couple of questions about their expertise so you can see if they’re a good fit for your job. Some questions we recommend asking include: 

• Are you a licensed and insured installer?
• How long have you been installing insulation, and can you provide references?
• What type of insulation do you recommend for my home, and why?
• Can you provide a detailed quote and timeline for the project?
• Will you handle the removal of old insulation, if necessary?
• Do you follow all Australian standards and regulations for insulation installation?
• What R-value will the insulation provide?
• What warranty do you offer on the materials and installation?
• Do you use environmentally friendly materials?
• When can you start my job?

Want to get a firm price? For a better idea of your total outlay for your insulation job get at least three quotes from local insulation installers. Just remember prices vary based on where you live, what insulation you want, and how difficult or long the job will take.