Blown-In Insulation
Boca Raton to Parkland
The fastest, most affordable way to take an attic past Florida's R-30 code minimum to our R-38 standard. Cardinal blows fiberglass or cellulose to a uniform depth across the attic floor — filling every gap batts miss, in a single day, with FLIR proof before you pay.
Get Your Free Quote
Itemized pricing by zone, back to you within the hour. No call required.
What blown-in insulation costs in South Florida.
Two numbers decide your price: the attic area we actually cover, and how much depth you're adding. Topping up an existing attic costs far less than a full blow from bare joists — which is why we measure your existing depth before we quote anything.
| Attic area | Top-up to R-30 (code) | Full blow to R-38 (our standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,300 sq ft | $1,100 – $1,600 | $1,700 – $2,400 |
| 1,300 – 1,800 sq ft | $1,500 – $2,100 | $2,300 – $3,200 |
| 1,800 – 2,400 sq ft | $2,100 – $2,800 | $3,200 – $4,300 |
| 2,400 – 3,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $3,500 | $4,300 – $5,400 |
| Over 3,000 sq ft | Quoted per site | Quoted per site |
Typical installed ranges across Palm Beach and Broward counties, including material, labor, air sealing at top plates, and depth verification. Access, existing insulation condition and any required removal can move a project outside these ranges.
What actually drives the price
Attic area, not living area
You pay for the square footage we actually cover. A single-story Florida home's attic runs close to its footprint, but a two-story home often has a far smaller usable attic than its floor plan suggests.
What's already up there
Topping up 4 inches of clean, dry material costs a fraction of a full blow from bare joists. We measure existing depth first and quote the difference, not the total.
Access and headroom
A narrow hatch, a low truss pitch or a finished attic deck all slow the hose down. Access is frequently the whole difference between the low and high end of a range.
Penetrations to dam and baffle
Every recessed light, bath fan, chase and soffit vent gets blocked out before material goes down. A high can-light count adds real labor.
Removal, if it's needed
Soaked, contaminated or pest-damaged insulation has to come out and be disposed of first. That's a separate line item — never buried inside the blow price.
Whether air sealing is bundled
Blowing over unsealed top plates leaves every leak intact. We price air sealing in rather than treating it as an upsell, because it's the difference between a real R-38 and a nominal one.
How deep does it have to be?
R-value is a measure of depth, not a badge. Florida's code minimum for an attic in this climate zone is R-30; the tier we specify for most South Florida homes is R-38. Here's exactly how many inches either material needs to get you there.
| Target | Tier | Loose-fill fiberglass R-2.2 – R-2.7 / in | Loose-fill cellulose R-3.2 – R-3.8 / in | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-19 | Below current code | 7 – 8.5 in | 5 – 6 in | Typical of Boca-area homes built before the current energy code. Usually the tier we're topping up from. |
| R-30 | Florida code minimum | 11 – 13.5 in | 8 – 9.5 in | The prescriptive ceiling minimum for zone 1 — Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. |
| R-38 | Cardinal recommended target | 14 – 17 in | 10 – 12 in | Above code. The tier we specify for most South Florida attics on cooling load and sun exposure. |
| R-49 | Deep-attic upgrade | 18 – 22 in | 13 – 15.5 in | Only where truss depth allows the full fill without compressing it. Compressed insulation is not R-49. |
Fiberglass needs roughly 1.4 times the depth of cellulose to reach the same R-value. That single fact decides the material in most attics: if you have the headroom, fiberglass is the better long-term choice in Florida humidity. If you don't, cellulose gets you to R-38 in three to four fewer inches.
Every neighborhood. Every ZIP.
A local five-city crew — not subs — blowing attics across the entire Boca-to-Parkland corridor. If you searched "blown in insulation near me," you're already in our service area.
- Royal Palm Yacht Club
- Boca Bridges
- Boca Falls
- Boca West
- Boca Del Mar
- Boca Pointe
- Lake Ida
- Pineapple Grove
- Tropic Isle
- Delray Beach Estates
- Rainberry Bay
- High Point
- Canyon Town Center
- Coral Lakes
- Aberdeen
- Waterways
- Canyon Lakes
- Boynton Waters
- El Cid
- Flamingo Park
- Old Northwood
- CityPlace
- Grandview Heights
- Southend
- Heron Bay
- Parkland Isles
- CypressHead
- Parkland Bay
- North Springs
- Tall Pines
Four steps. One day. FLIR proof.
FLIR attic scan
We map every void, gap, and compressed batt in infrared before we touch a thing — so we blow only where it actually helps.
Prep & mask
We seal penetrations, mask fixtures, and protect the living space. A clean attic floor is prepped for a uniform depth blow.
Blow to R-38
Fiberglass or cellulose blown to a uniform R-38 depth across the attic floor, filling every gap batts miss. Most homes done in a single day.
Depth + FLIR proof
We measure depth at multiple points and re-scan in infrared to confirm coverage. You get a proof report before you pay the balance.
Watch the blow-in happen.
The hose run and the even blanket of insulation going down across the joists — this is the same attic floor your neighbors' homes got, taking the attic past Florida's R-30 code minimum.
- FLIR attic scan first — we blow only where it actually helps
- A uniform R-38 blanket across the whole attic floor
- Most attics finished in a single day
- Depth and FLIR proof report before you pay the balance
The numbers that matter.
Lowest installed cost per R-value of any insulation.
Fills gaps and voids that batt insulation misses.
Fast installation — most attics done in a single day.
Available in fiberglass or cellulose to match the home.
Top up existing insulation to meet Florida code R-30+.
Cuts cooling costs 15–25% on under-insulated attics.
Inside a blow-in day: the technical sequence.
This is the spec-level sequence behind the four-step visit above — the part most quotes leave out. Every item on it is a place where a cheap install quietly loses you R-value.
- 1Measure existing depth and calculate the inches needed to reach the target R-value
- 2Air-seal top plates, can lights, chases and the attic hatch before any material goes down
- 3Install baffles at every soffit vent so the fill cannot block intake airflow
- 4Build dams around the hatch, recessed lighting and any heat-producing equipment
- 5Blow to depth in overlapping passes, working back toward the access point
- 6Set depth-verification rulers across the attic as documented proof of coverage
- 7Vacuum and clean the work path, then walk the finished job with you
Loose fill needs a dry attic. If we find roof leaks, blocked soffit vents, or bathroom fans dumping moist air into the attic, those get corrected first — burying a moisture problem under fresh insulation only hides it. We also never bury non-IC-rated recessed cans or gas flues.
- Depth rulers set across the attic floor at the start, left in place as documentation.
- Multiple measured points per attic — not a single reading near the hatch.
- Post-install infrared scan to confirm the fill is uniform before final payment.
- Deliberate 10–15% over-blow to absorb first-year settling.
Blown-in insulation pros and cons.
Blown-in is the right answer for most vented South Florida attics — and the wrong answer for some. Both lists below are real, and we'd rather you knew the cons now than discovered them in August.
Where it wins
- Lowest installed cost per unit of R-value of any attic option — typically a third of closed-cell spray foam.
- Fills irregular joist bays, plumbing chases and framing gaps that batts bridge straight over.
- Fast: most single-story attics are blown, cleaned and verified inside one working day.
- Can be blown directly over existing clean, dry insulation, so there's no removal and no disposal cost.
- Loose-fill fiberglass won't absorb water and is naturally non-combustible.
- Cellulose is denser, which resists air movement better and deadens sound between rooms.
- No demolition, no drywall repair, no structural change — the least invasive way to add R-value to an existing home.
Where it loses
- It settles in the first year, so installed depth has to be over-specified. We over-blow by 10–15% deliberately, and you should ask any contractor whether they do.
- Loose-fill fiberglass is only R-2.2–2.7 per inch, so it needs real depth. A low truss pitch may not physically fit R-38.
- Cellulose absorbs moisture and is the wrong material for an attic with active roof leaks or blocked ventilation.
- It does not air-seal. Blown over unsealed top plates and chases, it insulates a leaky ceiling — the leaks stay exactly where they were.
- It's a dusty install. Fixtures, ductwork and the living space below have to be masked and cleaned afterward.
- You can't walk in it once it's down, and trades who do will compress it and quietly cost you R-value.
- It's one layer of the envelope — not a fix for duct leakage, single-pane glass or an oversized air conditioner.
Blown-in against the alternatives.
The right material for an attic in this climate is decided by four things: R-value per inch, installed cost, whether it fills the gaps your framing leaves, and whether it seals air at the same time.
| Material | R-value / inch | Installed cost / sq ft | Fills odd framing | Air sealing | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blown-in fiberglass | R-2.2 – R-2.7 | $1.10 – $2.00 | Yes — fills voids | No — seal first | Topping up a clean, dry, vented attic with enough headroom for full depth |
| Blown-in cellulose | R-3.2 – R-3.8 | $1.20 – $2.40 | Yes — fills voids | No — seal first | Low-headroom attics that need R-38 in fewer inches of fill |
| Fiberglass batts | R-3.1 – R-3.4 | $0.90 – $2.10 | No — gaps at framing | No | New construction with open, uniform joist bays and no obstructions |
| Closed-cell spray foam | R-6.0 – R-7.0 | $2.40 – $4.90 | Yes — seals as it fills | Yes — in one pass | Duct chases, roof decks and humid assemblies that need insulation and air sealing together |
For a vented South Florida attic, blown-in wins on cost per unit of R-value, and it's the only realistic way to top up an attic that already has material in it. Batts make sense on open new-construction joists. Spray foam is the right call when you need insulation and air sealing in the same pass, or when ductwork runs through an unconditioned attic.
A different category
of contractor.
We don't compete on price. We compete on the 15-point standard the industry skips — from FLIR thermal imaging to Building Scientist verification. Here's where the barrier falls.
No competitor named. The standards speak for themselves.
We put the risk on us, not you.
The barrier between you and comfort shouldn't be money or trust. We remove both — with financing, a lifetime warranty, and proof you can see.
Lifetime Workmanship Warranty
Every seal we install is guaranteed for the life of the home. If it ever fails, we fix it free — no fine print.
Flexible Financing
Spread the cost over 12–60 months with low-interest options. Most homeowners pay less per month than they save on cooling.
Same-Week Inspection
Quote today, FLIR inspection this week. We don't make you wait to start saving.
Documented Savings
Before-and-after infrared proof. You see the sealed shield in thermal imaging before you ever pay the balance.
Ready to remove the barrier?
60-second quote. No call required. No obligation.
Every city. Every ZIP. Sealed.
A dedicated blown-in insulation page for every city in the Cardinal corridor — neighborhoods, ZIPs, pricing, R-value guides, and FLIR-proof before/afters for each.
Blown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Boca Raton — ZIPs 33432–33496. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Boca Raton pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across West Boca Raton — ZIPs 33433–33496. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View West Boca Raton pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Delray Beach — ZIPs 33444–33484. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Delray Beach pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Boynton Beach — ZIPs 33435–33472. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Boynton Beach pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Parkland — ZIPs 33067–33076. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Parkland pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Deerfield Beach — ZIPs 33441–33442. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Deerfield Beach pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across West Palm Beach — ZIPs 33401–33407. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View West Palm Beach pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Pompano Beach — ZIPs 33062–33071. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Pompano Beach pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Fort Lauderdale — ZIPs 33301–33316. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Fort Lauderdale pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Coral Springs — ZIPs 33065–33077. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Coral Springs pageBlown-in attic insulation to Florida code R-38 across Hollywood — ZIPs 33019–33025. Neighborhoods, pricing, and FLIR proof.
View Hollywood pageThe price gap isn't the material. It's the air sealing.
If you gather multiple blown-in estimates and one comes in dramatically lower, the difference is rarely the insulation itself. A low quote almost always means the contractor plans to skip air sealing — blowing insulation straight over the gaps without sealing them first. That insulation will underperform from day one, and in Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach's humidity, unsealed air leaks carry moisture into the attic that can compress the material and grow mold.
Recessed light fixtures
Can lights leak conditioned air straight into the attic. We foam-seal each fixture trim and housing before blowing over it.
Top plates
Every wall cavity's top plate is a hidden air channel between floors. We seal them so insulation actually performs its rated R-value.
Plumbing stacks
Pipe and vent penetrations are among the largest air leaks in a Florida attic. We foam every chase before any insulation goes in.
Get it in writing before they blow.
Before any contractor blows insulation over your attic, make sure these three sealing steps are itemized in your written quote — not just promised verbally. If air sealing isn't listed as a line item, it likely isn't happening.
Air leaks, noise, and energy bills.
The three questions every Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach homeowner asks before investing in blown-in attic insulation — answered straight, with the science behind each.
Blown-in insulation resists air movement but does not fully stop it — it filters air, it doesn't seal it. That's why Cardinal air-seals every top plate, wiring penetration, and plumbing chase with foam before any insulation goes in. Skipping that step (which cheap quotes do) lets conditioned air leak past the insulation and wastes the R-value you just paid for. In Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach's humid climate, unsealed air leaks also carry moisture into the attic, which can compress insulation and grow mold. Our free FLIR inspection maps every leak before we blow a single bag.
Blown-in attic insulation noticeably reduces exterior and between-floor noise — typically 5–8 decibels of airborne sound transmission, which the ear perceives as roughly half as loud. Cellulose outperforms fiberglass here because its higher density absorbs more sound energy. Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach homeowners near I-95, Federal Highway, or flight paths report a clear difference after a blown-in top-up. It won't eliminate impact noise (footsteps, slamming doors) — that requires wall cavity insulation — but it meaningfully quiets road traffic, lawn equipment, and neighbor activity.
Topping an under-insulated attic to R-38 typically cuts cooling costs 15–25% in South Florida homes. The exact savings depend on your attic's current R-value, A/C efficiency, and duct location. If your ducts run through the attic (common in Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach homes built 1970–2010), the savings can be higher because the ducts now sit in a cooler space. We document the expected savings in your itemized quote and verify the install with a post-install FLIR scan so you can see the thermal difference before you pay the balance.
South Florida's climate means your A/C runs 8–10 months a year, pulling conditioned air up into the attic through every unsealed gap. Insulation without air sealing is like wearing a sweater with the zipper open — it slows heat but doesn't stop the air carrying it. In Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach's humidity, those same air leaks carry water vapor that can condense in the attic, wet the insulation, and grow mold. Cardinal seals every penetration first, then blows — the order matters, and it's the step that makes the R-value actually perform.
Yes, indirectly. The added density in the attic dampens low-frequency exterior noise — wind-driven rain on the roof, thunder, and distant storm activity all register quieter after a blown-in top-up. It does not structurally reinforce the roof (only closed-cell spray foam does that), but the sound-dampening effect is a consistent benefit Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach homeowners mention after installation. If storm resilience is a priority, ask about pairing blown-in with a radiant barrier or spray foam on the roof deck.
Boca Raton, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach homes lose the most cooling energy through the attic — the sun bakes the roof deck to 150°F+, and that heat radiates into your living space. Blown-in R-38 insulation creates a thick thermal blanket on the attic floor that slows that heat transfer, so your A/C runs less, cycles shorter, and lasts longer. The Department of Energy estimates proper attic insulation saves 15–30% on cooling costs in hot-humid climates like South Florida. We verify the improvement with before-and-after FLIR thermal imaging on every install.
Blown-in insulation, in full.
- Blown-in insulation: the complete guide
- What blown-in insulation costs in South Florida
- Blown-in insulation R-value explained
- Blown-in insulation pros and cons
- Blown-in vs. spray foam
- Blown-in vs. fiberglass batts
- Blown-in insulation near me
- Blown-in attic insulation
- Cellulose vs. fiberglass blown-in
- Fiberglass blown-in insulation
- Attic insulation service
- Air sealing — what to fix first
The questions Boca, Delray & Boynton actually ask.
Blown-in attic insulation in Boca Raton typically runs $1,500–$4,000 depending on square footage and target R-value. It's the most affordable way to reach Florida code R-30+. Get an instant itemized quote by ZIP code — no call required.
We blow attic insulation across Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach — every neighborhood from Royal Palm Yacht Club to Canyon Town Center. Same-week scheduling with a local tri-city crew, not subs.
Fiberglass blown-in is moisture-resistant and settles less — our default for humid South Florida attics. Cellulose is denser and more fire-resistant but can hold moisture. We recommend per home after a free FLIR inspection.
Yes. Blown-in is ideal for topping up compressed or under-filled attics past the R-30 Florida code minimum. We inspect first with FLIR to confirm the existing material is clean and dry before adding depth.
Properly installed blown-in fiberglass lasts 80+ years with minimal settling. We over-spec depth to account for any settling, so your R-value stays at code for the life of the home.
Yes. Topping an under-insulated attic to R-38 typically cuts cooling costs 15–25%. Pair it with a radiant barrier for the full Crimson Shield and savings up to 40%.
Serving the Boca–Delray–Boynton corridor.
From the Boca inlet to Boynton's western estates — every hot zone below is a home we sealed this year. This is our local service area.
