Insulation Tips
How Much Does Ceiling Insulation Cost?
Nov
Insulating your ceiling is one of the most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient and improve indoor comfort all year round.If you’re wondering how much ceiling insulation costs and whether it’s worth it, check out our guide below. We break down the different factors that can impact the cost of purchasing and installing ceiling insulation so that you can be sure you’re getting the best return on your investment.If you need professional advice about your project and what would be best for your home, the team at Pricewise Insulation is here to help. Get in touch with us today for a fast and accurate ceiling insulation quote.
How Much Does Ceiling Insulation Cost Per m2?
There are many factors that can affect how much ceiling insulation costs, including the brand you go with, the insulation type and material and the R-Value.
R-value (Insulating Power)
The R-Value of an insulation product tells you how effective it will be at resisting heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better thermal performance and the higher the price tag.Depending on where you live, there may be minimum R-Value regulations for ceiling installations. We typically recommend at least 4.0 for warmer places like Perth and Brisbane. For cooler locations like Melbourne and Sydney, we recommend at R5.0 or R6.0.To give you an idea of how R-Value affects the cost of the product, here’s a price comparison of 430mm Knauf Earthwool ceiling insulation batts at different R-Values.
| R-Value | Width | Cost per m2 |
| R3.0 | 430mm | $6.36 |
| R4.0 | 430mm | $7.84 |
| R5.0 | 430mm | $12.41 |
| R6.0 | 430mm | $14.33 |
Type of Insulation
There are many different types of insulation which can be used in the ceiling, including thermal and acoustic batts and reflective insulation. The type you choose may affect the overall cost.
- Insulation Batts
Thermal insulation batts are one of the most effective and affordable choices for insulating ceilings.Glasswool batts are more affordable than polyester and rockwool batts. Prices start from $6.50 per m2 and can go up to $25 per m2 for high performance R7.0 batts. - Acoustic Insulation
If you live under a flight path or use your attic for living space, you should consider installing acoustic insulation in the ceiling to reduce noise transfer. Acoustic insulation is thicker and more dense than thermal batts. They are also more expensive.Read more about the cost to add insulation to your attic. - Reflective Insulation
Reflective foil insulation should be installed under the roof material to reflect radiant heat from the sun away from your home. There are many different types of reflective insulation products with different price points.=> Roof sarking typically costs $3 to $10 per m2.=> Roofing blankets with a reflective backing typically cost $5 to $14 per m2.Find out more: What is roof sarking and do you need it? - Loose Fill Insulation
At Pricewise Insulation, we do not recommend spray foam or loose fill insulation as it has a number of disadvantages compared to batt and reflective insulation.For more information, check out our article on expanding foam vs insulation batts.
Material
The most common insulation materials are glasswool and polyester. Foil and foam insulation products are also frequently used in ceiling and roof applications.
- Glasswool
Glasswool insulation (previously known as fiberglass insulation) is one of the most popular and affordable choices in Australia. It’s made from recycled glass materials and is a highly effective insulator. - Polyester
Polyester insulation is made from recycled plastic materials. It is considered a more premium product than glasswool and has a higher cost price.The table below compares the average price of glasswool vs polyester ceiling batts.Insulation Material Width R-Value Average Price per m2 Glasswool 580mm 4 $8 – $10 Polyester 580mm 4 $14-$16
Not sure if you need glasswool or polyester? Check out our article on glasswool vs polyester insulation.
Brand
Different brands may have different price points for similar products. Be sure to do your research and go with reputable brands that have a good warranty on their products.High quality brands we stock at Pricewise Insulation include:
How Many m2 Do You Need to Insulate a Ceiling?
Check out our insulation calculator for a step by step guide on calculating how much insulation you need for your ceiling.Once you calculate the amount of m2 you need to insulate your ceiling, you can easily work out the total price.Total price = area (m2) x cost per m2For example, if you need to insulate 100m2 and the insulation product costs $10 per m2, it will cost you $1,000.Keep in mind you will also need to factor in delivery and installation costs.
How Much Does Ceiling Insulation Cost to Install?
The cost of installing insulation in your ceiling depends on whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. Installing in an existing home may have additional costs compared to a new build.
DIY Vs Professional Installation
Some people decide to install ceiling insulation themselves to save on labour costs. DIY installation is possible, but it’s important to know what you’re doing for safety reasons as well as ensuring a high quality install.If you’re thinking of a DIY installation, check out our DIY installation page and DIY insulation videos.
New Vs Existing Home
Ceiling insulation can be installed in both new builds and existing homes. Existing homes may cost more to install if it is hard to access the ceiling area or if old insulation must be removed before the new insulation is installed.
Size of Ceiling Area
The larger the area that needs to be insulated, the longer it will take and the higher the labour costs will be.
Insulation Installer
Different insulation installers will have different fees. The best way to get an accurate quote is to ask directly. If you’re looking for insulation installation services in Melbourne or Sydney, get in touch with the Pricewise team for an obligation-free quote.
Get a Fast and Accurate Quote for Ceiling Insulation Today
Ready to buy insulation for your ceiling? Jump onto our online store and browse our products. To help you with budgeting, all of our product pages feature a price calculator.For project specific advice about what products are right for you or how much you need, give our friendly team a call on 1300 729 639.
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Do you install roof batts? I’m at runaway bay Gold Coast
Hi Olivia, thanks for your enquiry. We don’t currently offer an install service on the Gold Coast in Queensland. If you are interested in installing the roof insulation yourself, then we recommend that you check out our Retrofitting Ceiling Insulation Guide.
Kind regards,
Christa