Attic Insulation Top-Up
Bring your attic back to full R-38 depth in one visit
Most Pinellas County attics were insulated to the code minimum of the year the house was built, which in a 1970s or 1980s St. Petersburg home was often R-11 to R-19. Fiberglass and cellulose settle over the decades, and after roof work, rodent traffic, or an AC replacement it settles even faster. The result is an attic that is two to four inches short of where it should be.
A top-up is the fastest, lowest-cost way to fix that. We blow new material directly over the existing layer until the entire attic floor reaches a uniform R-38, the level Florida's climate zone 2 calls for. No demolition, no disruption, and most homes are finished in three to five hours.
This is the right service when
- You can see the tops of the ceiling joists when you look across the attic floor
- Your insulation is dry, clean, and free of rodent or mold contamination
- Upstairs rooms feel noticeably warmer than the rest of the house
- Your summer electric bill climbs well above your neighbors' bills
- The house was built or last insulated before 2010
What it costs
R-19 existing, topped to R-38
R-19 existing, topped to R-38
Depends on existing depth and attic access
Ranges are real Pinellas County numbers, not national averages. Your written quote comes after we measure. See the full cost breakdown.
What is included
Free attic inspection and depth measurement
We measure existing depth in several spots, identify the insulation type already in place, and photograph anything that needs attention before we add material.
Air sealing at the worst leak points
Top plates, recessed can lights, and attic hatch gaps get sealed first. Adding insulation over open leaks is the most common mistake we correct on other contractors' work.
Baffles and soffit protection
We install baffles so new material never blocks soffit vents. Blocked soffits trap moisture in a Florida attic and shorten the life of your roof deck.
Blown-in material to a measured R-38
Depth rulers are stapled to the trusses so you can verify the finished depth yourself, anywhere in the attic.
Cleanup and written guarantee
Drop cloths through the living space, a full vacuum on the way out, and a written R-value depth guarantee on the invoice.
Attic Insulation Top-Up questions we get every week
Can you blow new insulation over the old insulation?
Yes, as long as the existing material is dry and uncontaminated. Blown fiberglass and cellulose both layer fine over old batts or old blown-in material. If we find moisture, rodent droppings, or smoke damage, we will recommend removal instead and show you photos of why.
How long does a top-up take?
Three to five hours for most single-story Pinellas homes. The hose runs from the truck through a window or the attic access, so our crew spends very little time inside your living space.
How much will it lower my power bill?
Going from R-19 to R-38 in a Tampa Bay home typically trims 12 to 20 percent off the cooling portion of your bill. For a house running $250 a month in summer, that is roughly $30 to $45 a month back during the hottest half of the year.
Attic Insulation Top-Up by city
Attic conditions change block by block in Pinellas County. Open your city page for local housing notes, common problems, and scheduling.