Heat rises, and in a lot of older Bellingham homes it walks right out through a thin, settled layer of blown-in from the 1970s. We see attics with four inches of packed-down insulation that's lost most of its R-value, plus bypasses around can lights and the attic hatch that leak warm, wet air straight into the cold space above. Adding more insulation on top of that without sealing the leaks first just buries the problem.
So we do it in the right order. We air-seal the attic floor, box and cover the can lights, seal the top plates and penetrations, and make sure the attic stays ventilated. Then we bring the insulation up to about R-49, which is what current WA energy code wants for our climate. Attic work is one of the most rebate-friendly jobs we do, so we size it to qualify for the PSE or weatherization rebate and help you file. One thing we always check first on an older home is knob-and-tube wiring, because code won't let us bury live knob-and-tube.
What it actually costs.
Attic Insulation $1,800 to $5,500
Square footageBigger attic, more material and labor
Existing R-valueA bare attic costs less to bring up than a deep re-do
AccessTight hatches, low pitch, and storage add time
Air sealingSealing can lights, top plates, and the hatch first
Our four-step process.
Free attic assessment
We get up into the attic, measure the existing insulation, find the air leaks and any knob-and-tube, and size the job and the rebate.
Air-seal the attic floor
We seal can lights, top plates, the hatch, and penetrations so warm, wet air stops leaking into the attic. This is the step cheap jobs skip.
Insulate to R-49
We blow in cellulose or fiberglass, or lay batts, evenly across the attic floor up to about R-49, keeping the soffit vents clear.
Rebate paperwork
We help you file the PSE or weatherization rebate so you get back what your home qualifies for.
Why hire a local crew for this work.
Air sealing the attic floor first, so the insulation performs
Blown-in or batt up to about R-49 per WA energy code
Knob-and-tube checked before anything gets buried
Soffit baffles so the attic keeps breathing
Rebate-eligible, and we help with the PSE or weatherization forms
Frequently asked questions.
How much does attic insulation cost in Bellingham?
Most attic insulation jobs in Bellingham run $1,800 to $5,500. The price comes down to your square footage, how much old insulation is up there already, and how easy the attic is to work in. We air-seal the floor first, then bring it up to about R-49. A lot of attic work qualifies for a PSE or weatherization rebate, which lowers your out-of-pocket, and we help you file.
What R-value should my Bellingham attic have?
Current WA energy code wants about R-49 in the attic for our climate zone. A lot of older Bellingham homes have R-19 or less from a 1970s blown-in job that's since settled, so they're well under code. We measure what's there and top it off to R-49, which is the level the PSE rebate is built around too.
Can you just blow over my old attic insulation?
Often yes, if the existing insulation is dry and just thin. We rake it level and add on top. But if it's wet, moldy, rodent-fouled, or old vermiculite, it has to come out first, because adding clean insulation over a moisture or contamination problem only hides it. We'll tell you straight which one you've got.
Ready for a free attic insulation quote?
Tell us about your home, we'll reply within 15 minutes during business hours and set up a free assessment.
Every neighborhood we serve has its own story, century-old walls in the Lettered Streets, cold floors over the crawlspaces in Columbia, damp ground out by the lake. Pick your area for local notes: