What Is a Full Attic Restoration?

Struggling to find a clear answer on how much it costs to remove and replace your attic insulation? We're here to give you the inside scoop! First, let’s define what this project entails. There are many types of insulation services, and we don’t want to add to the confusion in an already complex industry.

A full attic restoration includes the removal of old insulation, attic component inspection, sanitization, air flow spot sealing, installation of electrical component covers, and blowing in new attic insulation. This blog provides a general pricing guide specifically for full attic restoration projects. It does not apply to other types of insulation work.

Insulation Removal & Why It's Necessary

Older homes often require insulation removal before new insulation can be installed. Here are four common reasons why:

1. Air Quality Issues
   Over time, insulation breaks down into dust, which can negatively affect indoor air quality and even damage HVAC equipment, such as blower motors.
2. Loss of Effectiveness
   As insulation compresses and deteriorates, it loses its ability to trap hot and cold air. This not only increases energy bills but also reduces your home's comfort.
3. Inspection & Prep Work
   Removing decades-old insulation allows for a thorough inspection of wires, pipes, ducting, and sheetrock. Additionally, it provides the opportunity to bring your attic up to code by sealing air leaks around components that connect through the attic floor. A full restoration also includes sanitizing the attic down to the bare decking and sheetrock.

4. Manufacturer Warranty Compliance
   If you ever need to use your insulation’s warranty, manufacturers require that new insulation be installed directly onto the sheetrock, not layered over old insulation. Failing to remove the old insulation voids the warranty.

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What Factors Affect the Cost of Insulation Removal & Replacement?

1. Square Footage of the Attic Floor 
   
   • One of the biggest factors in insulation removal & replacement pricing is the total square footage of the attic floor, which is often close to the square footage of your home as listed on Zillow or your property tax records.
2. Difficulty of Insulation Removal
   
   • Multi-Layered Insulation:
     
     • Many homes have had insulation added over time, creating multiple layers. If there’s a layer of batt insulation (which must be removed by hand, bagged, and carried out) beneath blown-in insulation (which can be vacuumed out easily), the removal time can double. Our process involves vacuuming the top layer, removing the batts manually, and vacuuming again to ensure a thorough cleanup.

1. • Cedar Shake Debris:
     
     • Homes built in the 1970s often had wood-shingled roofs. When those roofs were replaced, large wood shingle pieces often fell into the insulation. These can clog our high-powered vacuums, requiring a technician to manually locate and clear blockages. In extreme cases, we need to sift through insulation, remove debris by hand,and bag it separately, adding to labor costs.

1. • Tight Attics:
     
     • If your attic has low clearance, our team spends more time crawling on their stomachs or hands and knees, making the process much slower than in an attic where we can stand or kneel comfortably.

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3. How much insulation are you installing back
   
   • Texes code across the state & Texas Energy Standards recommends R38 (13” of Knauf Jet Stram Ultra) but you can go as high as R60 (20” of Knauf Jet Stram Ultra). 
   • Recently, there has been talks to raise the code to R49 (17” of Knauf Jet Stram Ultra) although nothing has passed at Superior Attic we we believe R49 (17” of Knauf Jet Stram Ultra) is the best of both worlds. That said, we will be using R49 for our pricing guide.

Typical Insulation Removal Cost: $2.50 - $3.20 per square foot

By understanding these key factors, you can get a better idea of what your Full Attic Restoration project will cost. If you have any questions, our team at Superior Attic is happy to provide a custom free estimate!

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