Compare the highest-rated insulation professionals in University Park, Pennsylvania. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A locally owned and operated franchise known for its comprehensive approach to home performance. They specialize in a wide range of insulation services, from attic and wall insulation to air sealing, and emphasize energy efficiency and customer education. They are well-regarded for their detailed assessments and knowledge of available rebates.
A long-standing regional contractor with a strong reputation for both residential and commercial insulation projects. They offer a broad portfolio of services, combining insulation expertise with building science principles to improve comfort and reduce energy costs. Their longevity in the market speaks to their reliability and quality of work.
While based slightly farther away, Horizon is a major regional player known for its high-quality home performance and energy audit services. They take a whole-house approach, identifying and treating the root causes of energy loss, which often includes advanced air sealing and insulation solutions. They are a go-to for complex projects and maximizing energy savings.
The insulation market in and around University Park, PA, is characterized by a mix of long-standing local contractors and specialized home performance companies. Due to the high concentration of older housing stock in the boroughs surrounding the university, there is consistent demand for insulation upgrades and energy efficiency improvements. The market is moderately competitive, with a focus on quality and expertise over pure cost-cutting. Homeowners are generally knowledgeable and value professional certifications and a scientific approach to home performance. Typical pricing is in line with regional averages. For a standard attic blown-in cellulose insulation job, homeowners can expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on square footage and existing conditions. Spray foam insulation is a premium service, often ranging from $2.00 to $5.00 per board foot. Many providers are well-versed in local utility rebate programs (like from West Penn Power) and state-backed energy efficiency incentives, which can significantly offset the project cost for qualifying upgrades.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with University Park regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about insulation services in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Given University Park's humid continental climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers, the most impactful upgrades are air sealing and adding attic insulation. Proper air sealing prevents warm, moist indoor air from entering the attic in winter, which can cause ice dams and mold. We typically recommend bringing attic insulation to at least R-49 to meet PA building code recommendations for our climate zone, which often means adding dense-pack cellulose or blown-in fiberglass over existing material.
Costs vary significantly by project scope, but for a standard attic insulation upgrade to R-49 in a 1,500 sq ft home, homeowners in the University Park area can expect to invest between $1,500 and $3,000. Factors affecting price include the type of insulation (cellulose vs. fiberglass), the amount of air sealing needed, and the accessibility of your attic. It's worth exploring rebates from local utilities like UGI or the Pennsylvania Act 129 program, which can offset 10-20% of the project cost.
The ideal time is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October). These periods offer moderate temperatures, making it safer for installers to work in your attic and allowing for proper curing of any air-sealing foams. While insulation can be installed year-round, scheduling during these shoulder seasons ensures better availability and allows you to improve your home's envelope before the peak heating season, maximizing your winter energy savings.
First, verify the contractor is properly licensed and insured in Pennsylvania. Look for local companies with specific experience in our older housing stock, common in neighborhoods like Holmes-Foster or Highlands. Ask if they perform a pre-installation energy audit and provide a detailed quote that separates material, labor, and air sealing costs. Finally, check for certifications like BPI (Building Performance Institute) and ask for references from recent local projects to ensure quality.
Not necessarily. In many of University Park's historic and mid-century homes, air leakage is often the primary culprit for drafts and high energy bills. Insulation works best when combined with comprehensive air sealing of gaps, cracks, and bypasses in the attic, basement rim joists, and around windows and doors. A professional assessment should identify these leakage points first; then, a combination of air sealing and adding insulation will provide the maximum improvement in comfort and efficiency for our seasonal temperature swings.