Here, we will be looking at how much radiant barrier installation costs for attics.

Radiant barriers are among home insulation provisions that help reduce the amount of heat transfer from the underside of roofs by reflecting it before it hits other attic surfaces.

Cost Of Radiant Barrier Installation

Compared to other types of home insulations, attic radiant barriers may not be as efficient, but it still helps in cooling your attic and by extension, your home.

For homeowners interested in knowing the cost of attic radiant barrier installation, this article serves as an important resource.

The information contained here covers the different aspects of costs involved in the installation process. You’ll want to read on for details on these and more.

Professional Installation Vs DIY

When it comes to determining the costs of attic radiant barriers, approaches matter.

In other words, homeowners will have to figure out whether to call for professional installation or to simply adopt the DIY strategy. So, what’s the difference? Well, the costs of both procedures differ.

In other words, while hiring a professional may attract a certain installation fee, DIY installation tends to be cheaper because it’s handled or performed by the homeowner.

This (DIY installation) eliminates labor costs which can be significant. Overall, DIY installation costs tend to be cheaper.

  • Cheaper isn’t Always Better

DIY Installation of attic radiant barriers may cost less compared to a professional installation.

However, experience has shown that such may not be the best approach long term. A DIY installation job will have to be properly done which isn’t always the case.

With professional installations, you get value for money in addition to a thorough job being executed. Plus, the process comes with a warranty among other benefits. The only difference is in the cost of execution or installation.

So, how much exactly can one expect to spend with either approach?

DIY Attic Radiant Barrier Installation Costs

To fully understand DIY installation costs, you’ll need to consider the cost of materials. First off, you’ll need to get your reflective material and other things needed for installation.

This is where a significant portion of the expense will be. However for installations to be successful, some help will be needed.

Homeowners will require at least one volunteer to perform the DIY procedure. The cost implications of getting your reflective or radiant material will be determined by the volume of purchase.

In other words, bulk purchase tends to be cheaper than buying in smaller amounts.

Getting your rolls of reflective materials would typically cost anywhere from 10 to 25 cents per square foot. This translates to around $150 to $375 when buying enough material to cover an attic space.

This cost is for a single-sided reflective material.

There are double-sided radiant barrier materials that tend to cost more with a square foot roll going for around15 50 cents. This adds up to around $225 to $800 for an attic space measuring $1,500 square feet.

  • Extra Expense may be Involved

To perform DIY attic radiant barrier installations, you should budget for extra expenses.

These could come in various ways such as the cost of tools and supplies among other things. Whatever the case is, it’s always best to anticipate a higher cost to take care of the unexpected.

Professional Attic Radiant Barrier Installation Costs

Professional installation costs for attic radiant barriers tend to be higher with figures ranging from $300 to $2,000. The material type being used will determine the cost of installation.

For example, single-sided reflective materials will cost anywhere from $300 to $500 while double-sided materials start anywhere from $600 to $1,200.

Labor Costs can be Significant

When considering the cost of installation attic radiant barriers, labor takes up a significant portion of such expense. These are calculated on an hourly basis with average rates going for $70 per hour.

The longer it takes to install, the higher your total costs will be.

Total labor costs are obtained by multiplying hourly costs by the number of hours spent. Not all contractors adopt the hourly approach to calculating labor costs.

Some may offer a flat rate which could range from $100 to $500 depending on the extent of the project.

Factors Affecting Attic Radiant Barrier Installation Costs

When it comes to attic radiant barrier installation, the eventual outcome in terms of the expense involved can vary significantly. Different influencing factors play a role in determining costs.

Such may include the size of your attic, the contractor hired for the job, your location, and accessibility.

There are other considerations like job conditions, and cost of materials. These factors may either lower the total cost of the project or increase it.

To have a better idea of what they mean, let’s take a brief look at each of them.

  • Size of Attic

Attic size is often a primary consideration when installing radiant barriers. A larger attic will mean more space to cover while the reverse is the case for smaller attics.

The difference in costs could amount to a couple hundred. A contractor factors this into your project quote.

  • Contractor Hired

It’s important to carefully choose who to call for your attic radiant barrier installation job. Every contractor has its unique pricing structures.

They seek to strike a balance between offering competitive rates and profitability. By getting up to 3 to 5 different quotes, you’re able to compare and pick the best offer possible.

  • Location

Location is another cost influencing factor to consider. Living costs vary from one location to the next. It’s common to find larger cities having higher costs of living.

If your home is located in a major city, you’re likely to pay more for radiant barrier installation than a similar join a smaller town.

  • Accessibility

How accessible is your attic? Accessibility can influence your project costs in more ways than you can imagine.

Attics presenting the most difficulty will attract higher fees compared to those which are readily accessible and less difficult to access.

  • Job Conditions

Job conditions vary from one installation job t the next.

There may be issues with your attic that need to be fixed first before radiant barriers are mounted. This might add up or increase your total installation costs.

  • Cost of Material

What type of radiant barrier material do you wish to use? The type you use determines the outcome. As mentioned earlier, there are two types; single-sided and double-sided materials.

What you choose will influence the final costs.

These are vital cost details on attic radiant barrier installation. Homeowners will need to carefully assess their options before commencing the project.

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