Insulation in San Antonio, TX
Crawl space encapsulation and vapor barrier work in San Antonio runs $2,800-$6,500 for most homes, with jobs typically completed in one to two days. The city’s slab-on-grade dominance means true crawl spaces are concentrated in older Westside and Southside neighborhoods, where pier-and-beam construction and seasonal humidity create the exact conditions that make encapsulation essential. Call (830) 402-5240 for a written price before any work starts.
We’re Envelope Insulation Co., operating under The Haven Standard since 2016. Our San Antonio office dispatches crews across the metro, and every job begins with a written scope and price, ends with a Documented Photo Record, and includes before-and-after blower-door numbers on applicable work.
Why San Antonio Homes Are Different
San Antonio sits in IECC Climate Zone 2, one of the hottest designations in the continental U.S. Attic cavities here routinely hit 150°F+ from June through September, and the sprawling stock of 1970s-1990s slab-on-grade tract homes across Northside, Southside, and the Universal City corridor was built to minimal codes that left attics with R-19 or less. Most of that insulation has since settled and degraded.
The February 2021 Winter Storm Uri exposed the flip side. Those same homes had virtually no thermal protection engineered for cold retention, collapsing pipes and spiking energy loads in a city that had built its entire housing stock around one-directional cooling. Contractors on the Northside and in the Stone Oak-Bulverde growth belt regularly find 1980s-1990s homes where original blown fiberglass has settled from the installed R-22 down to an effective R-9 or R-10. Attic bypasses around recessed can lights, extremely common in that era’s builder-grade construction, account for as much heat gain as the insulation deficit itself. It’s a combined failure mode that shows up on energy audits almost universally in those subdivisions.
The combination of 100°F+ surface temperatures, intense solar gain on low-pitched roofs, and high summer humidity makes air-sealing alongside insulation critical. Moisture intrusion compounds radiant heat gain in ways less acute in drier West Texas cities.
Our Main San Antonio Services
San Antonio homeowners call us most often about attic work and spray foam. Here is what those jobs involve locally.
Attic Insulation in San Antonio
Attic insulation in San Antonio carries almost the entire thermal load because slab-on-grade construction eliminates crawl space insulation from the envelope. We find R-19 or less in most pre-2000 homes, and settled blown fiberglass in Northside tract homes often performs at half its labeled value. Our crews air-seal first, then insulate, with blower-door verification. Attic Insulation in San Antonio covers full project scope and pricing.
Spray Foam Insulation in San Antonio
Spray foam insulation in San Antonio addresses the radiant heat gain and humidity intrusion that characterize Zone 2 summers. Open-cell foam at the roof deck converts vented attics to conditioned space, reducing duct losses in homes where HVAC equipment sits in 140°F attics. Closed-cell foam works for rim joists and specialty applications. We source from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, and Demilec. Spray Foam Insulation in San Antonio has full details.
Blown-In Insulation in San Antonio
Blown-in insulation in San Antonio is the most common retrofit for settled fiberglass in 1980s-1990s tract homes. We remove degraded material, seal top plates and penetrations, then blow new cellulose or fiberglass to current IECC Zone 2 R-values. GreenFiber cellulose performs well in our humidity when paired with proper air sealing. Blown-In Insulation in San Antonio covers material options and costs.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Crawl Space Encapsulation & Vapor Barrier in San Antonio
True crawl spaces in San Antonio are concentrated in older Westside and Southside neighborhoods with pier-and-beam and early vernacular construction, plus some mid-century homes in Monte Vista and Olmos Park. These spaces suffer from our high water table, seasonal humidity, and clay soils that wick moisture upward. Encapsulation stops the cycle of wood rot, mold, and structural degradation that follows. Crawl Space Encapsulation & Vapor Barrier covers our full methodology.
Most San Antonio encapsulation jobs address homes built before 1970 where the original vapor barrier, if present, has failed entirely. We begin every project with moisture mapping and a written scope that specifies barrier mil thickness, dehumidifier capacity, and drainage mat installation.
Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
Signs you need it
Standing water after rain, white mineral deposits on block walls, or floor joists that feel damp to the touch indicate vapor barrier failure.
What it costs in San Antonio
A standalone vapor barrier replacement in San Antonio runs $1,200-$2,800 for most crawl spaces under 1,500 square feet.
How we do it
We remove degraded polyethylene, grade the soil, lay 12-20 mil reinforced barrier with sealed seams, and extend it 6 inches up foundation walls.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Signs you need it
Musty odors entering living spaces, hardwood cupping, or insulation falling from joists due to moisture weight indicate full encapsulation is needed.
What it costs in San Antonio
Complete encapsulation with dehumidification in San Antonio typically ranges $3,500-$7,500 depending on square footage and conditioning requirements.
How we do it
We seal vents, install drainage matting and reinforced liner on walls and floor, add a dedicated dehumidifier, and provide before-and-after humidity readings.
What Crawl Space Encapsulation & Vapor Barrier Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Vapor barrier replacement | $1,200 - $2,800 |
| Partial encapsulation (barrier + sealing) | $2,800 - $4,500 |
| Full encapsulation with dehumidifier | $3,500 - $7,500 |
How long does crawl space encapsulation take in San Antonio?
Most jobs finish in one to two days. Larger pier-and-beam homes in Monte Vista or homes requiring drainage work may extend to three days. We provide a written schedule with the price.
Will encapsulation help with summer humidity upstairs?
Yes. In San Antonio’s climate, an unsealed crawl space can contribute 15-20 gallons of moisture daily to the home. Encapsulation with dehumidification breaks that cycle.
Radiant Barrier Installation in San Antonio
Radiant barrier installation in San Antonio addresses the single largest cooling load in Zone 2: solar gain through the roof deck. Attic temperatures of 150°F+ radiate downward through inadequate insulation, and low-pitched roofs common in 1980s-1990s tract homes maximize sun exposure. A radiant barrier reflects that heat back toward the roof deck rather than letting it penetrate the conditioned space. Radiant Barrier Installation details our full approach.
We install radiant barrier in San Antonio homes where the existing insulation is adequate in R-value but cannot block radiant heat transfer. The combination of radiant barrier with proper attic ventilation often reduces ceiling surface temperatures by 20-30°F.
Attic Radiant Barrier
Signs you need it
Second-floor rooms that stay hot after sunset, high summer electric bills despite adequate R-value, or ductwork in the attic that feels hot to the touch.
What it costs in San Antonio
Attic radiant barrier installation in San Antonio runs $1,500-$3,200 for most homes between 1,800 and 3,000 square feet.
How we do it
We staple perforated foil across truss bottoms or lay it over existing insulation, maintaining proper ventilation paths and avoiding compression points.
Radiant Barrier Roof Deck
Signs you need it
New construction or re-roofing projects where the roof deck is accessible, or attics where truss-bottom installation would block access.
What it costs in San Antonio
Roof-deck radiant barrier application during accessible construction in San Antonio typically costs $2,000-$4,500 depending on roof complexity.
How we do it
We apply foil-faced sheathing or liquid radiant barrier coating directly to the roof deck underside, sealed at seams for continuous reflectance.
What Radiant Barrier Installation Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Attic radiant barrier (truss bottom) | $1,500 - $3,200 |
| Radiant barrier roof deck application | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Radiant barrier with attic air sealing | $2,800 - $5,500 |
Does radiant barrier work with spray foam?
Not in the same location. Spray foam at the roof deck creates a conditioned attic, eliminating the need for radiant barrier there. We recommend one or the other, not both, and document the choice in your written scope.
How much will my electric bill drop?
Most San Antonio homeowners see 10-25% summer cooling reduction, with larger gains in homes with ducts in the attic. We measure attic surface temperature before and after to document the change.
Insulation Removal & Replacement in San Antonio
Insulation removal and replacement in San Antonio is most common in 1970s-1990s tract homes where original material has settled, been compromised by rodents, or absorbed moisture. The combination of our heat, humidity, and builder-grade installation practices means we regularly find fiberglass batts installed with compression gaps or blown material settled below joist tops. Insulation Removal & Replacement covers our full process.
We do not add new insulation over degraded old material. The Haven Standard requires removal of contaminated or compressed insulation before air sealing and replacement, so the new insulation performs to specification.
Contaminated Insulation Removal
Signs you need it
Droppings or urine staining visible in attic insulation, musty odors after HVAC startup, or insulation that disintegrates when touched.
What it costs in San Antonio
Contaminated insulation removal in San Antonio runs $1,800-$3,500 for most attics, with HEPA containment and disposal included.
How we do it
We establish negative air pressure, remove material with HEPA-filtered vacuums, apply antimicrobial treatment to substrates, and document with photos before replacement.
Insulation Replacement
Signs you need it
Settled blown fiberglass below joist tops, compressed batts with visible gaps, or R-value testing that shows less than half the labeled performance.
What it costs in San Antonio
Insulation replacement with new blown cellulose or fiberglass in San Antonio typically costs $2,200-$4,800 depending on attic square footage and target R-value.
How we do it
We remove old material, seal all top plates and penetrations with foam and caulk, then blow new insulation to IECC Zone 2 standards with depth markers.
What Insulation Removal & Replacement Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Contaminated insulation removal | $1,800 - $3,500 |
| Standard insulation removal | $1,200 - $2,500 |
| Removal + replacement to R-38/R-49 | $2,200 - $4,800 |
Can you remove insulation with asbestos?
We do not handle asbestos-containing material. If your San Antonio home was built before 1980, we test for asbestos and vermiculite before disturbing any insulation, and coordinate licensed abatement if needed.
How long does removal and replacement take?
Most jobs complete in one day for removal and one day for replacement. Heavily contaminated attics in older Southside homes may require additional sanitizing time. The written schedule specifies each phase.
Attic Air Sealing in San Antonio
Attic air sealing in San Antonio is the foundational step we never skip. The city’s 1980s-1990s builder-grade construction is riddled with attic bypasses around can lights, top plates, and duct boots that deliver conditioned air directly to the vented attic. In Northside and Stone Oak subdivisions, these bypasses often account for as much heat gain as the insulation deficit itself. Attic Air Sealing details our methodology.
We seal first, then insulate, always. Blowing insulation over unsealed attic floors traps airflow paths and can create moisture problems in our humid climate.
Top Plate & Penetration Sealing
Signs you need it
Dust streaks around ceiling fixtures, rooms that are hard to keep cool despite adequate insulation, or blower-door readings above 3,500 CFM50 in a home under 2,500 square feet.
What it costs in San Antonio
Top plate and penetration sealing in San Antonio typically runs $1,200-$2,800 for most homes, with blower-door testing included.
How we do it
We seal all top plate joints with expanding foam, caulk wire and pipe penetrations, and foam-seal around chimney chases and dropped soffits.
Can Light & Duct Boot Sealing
Signs you need it
Hot air dropping from ceiling cans in summer, condensation on duct boots, or temperature differences of more than 5°F between rooms on the same system.
What it costs in San Antonio
Can light and duct boot sealing in San Antonio costs $800-$2,200 depending on fixture count and accessibility.
How we do it
We install fire-rated covers over IC and non-IC cans, seal with mastic and mesh, and seal all duct boots to drywall with foam and tape.
What Attic Air Sealing Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Top plate and penetration sealing | $1,200 - $2,800 |
| Can light and duct boot sealing | $800 - $2,200 |
| Full attic air sealing with blower-door test | $2,000 - $4,500 |
Do I need air sealing if I’m already replacing insulation?
Yes. Under The Haven Standard, we do not install new insulation over an unsealed attic floor. The air sealing is completed first, verified with a blower-door test, then insulation follows.
What CFM50 should my home reach?
Most San Antonio homes start above 4,000 CFM50 and reach 2,000-2,800 after sealing. We provide the before-and-after numbers in writing with your Documented Photo Record.
Wall Insulation in San Antonio
Wall insulation in San Antonio addresses a specific gap in the housing stock: early-to-mid 20th-century homes in the Westside and Southside, plus some pier-and-beam construction throughout the city, were built with no wall insulation whatsoever. These homes rely entirely on thin masonry or wood siding for thermal separation, and their occupants see extreme temperature swings and high energy bills. Wall Insulation covers our full approach.
Retrofit wall insulation in San Antonio requires minimal intrusion methods because these homes often have original plaster or historic siding we aim to preserve.
Injection Foam Wall Insulation
Signs you need it
Exterior walls that are hot to the touch in summer, high cooling loads despite attic work, or original construction dates before 1965 with no evidence of retrofit insulation.
What it costs in San Antonio
Injection foam wall insulation in San Antonio runs $3,500-$7,500 for most homes, priced by exterior wall square footage.
How we do it
We drill 2-inch holes at stud bay intervals, inject slow-rise foam that fills cavities without bowing walls, then patch and match texture.
Drill & Fill Wall Insulation
Signs you need it
Homes with empty stud bays confirmed by thermal imaging, or where injection foam is not suitable due to balloon framing or irregular cavities.
What it costs in San Antonio
Drill and fill with dense-pack cellulose in San Antonio typically costs $2,800-$6,000 depending on wall area and interior access requirements.
How we do it
We access stud bays from interior or exterior, blow cellulose to 3.5 pounds per cubic foot density, and seal all penetration points with matching materials.
What Wall Insulation Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Injection foam wall insulation | $3,500 - $7,500 |
| Drill & fill cellulose walls | $2,800 - $6,000 |
| Exterior wall insulation with air sealing | $4,500 - $9,000 |
Will drilling holes damage my plaster?
We minimize intrusion and match patch texture. In historic San Antonio homes with original plaster, we often access from the exterior at clapboard or shingle seams to preserve interior finishes.
Can you insulate brick walls?
True brick cavity walls can receive injection foam if a cavity exists. Solid masonry walls cannot be insulated from inside without significant intrusion; we assess construction type before quoting.
Attic Cleaning & Rodent Proofing in San Antonio
Attic cleaning and rodent proofing in San Antonio addresses the aftermath of our climate and housing stock: hot attics with accessible soffits and roof returns that invite roof rats and squirrels, especially in mature neighborhoods with established tree canopy. Contaminated insulation, gnawed wiring, and entry points through eaves and vents are common findings in pre-2000 homes. Attic Cleaning & Rodent Proofing covers our full protocol.
We clean and sanitize first, then proof. Installing new insulation over contaminated material or active entry points violates The Haven Standard and wastes the customer’s money.
Attic Sanitizing & Decontamination
Signs you need it
Visible droppings, urine staining on insulation or joists, or a sharp ammonia odor detectable at the attic hatch.
What it costs in San Antonio
Attic sanitizing and decontamination in San Antonio runs $1,500-$3,200 for most residential attics, with HEPA filtration and antimicrobial treatment included.
How we do it
We remove contaminated material, HEPA-vacuum all surfaces, apply enzyme-based sanitizer, and provide photos of substrate condition before any new work.
Rodent Proofing & Exclusion
Signs you need it
Scratching sounds at dusk or dawn, droppings near attic access, or visible gaps at soffit vents, roof returns, or pipe penetrations.
What it costs in San Antonio
Rodent proofing and exclusion in San Antonio typically costs $1,200-$2,800 depending on entry point count and roof complexity.
How we do it
We identify all entry points with photo documentation, seal with steel mesh and copper wool where gnawing is likely, and install vent guards as needed.
What Attic Cleaning & Rodent Proofing Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Attic sanitizing & decontamination | $1,500 - $3,200 |
| Rodent proofing & exclusion | $1,200 - $2,800 |
| Full attic restoration (cleaning + proofing + insulation) | $4,500 - $9,500 |
Do you trap rodents or just seal?
We do not provide ongoing pest control or trapping. We exclude rodents by sealing entry points and recommend a licensed wildlife or pest operator for active infestations before we begin cleaning.
How do I know if rodents have returned?
We provide photo documentation of all sealed entry points and recommend quarterly attic checks. New droppings or disturbed insulation are early indicators; call us for re-inspection.
Home Energy Audit in San Antonio
Home energy audits in San Antonio reveal the specific failure modes our climate and housing stock create: attic bypasses, duct leakage, and insulation compression that generic inspections miss. The 1970s-1990s tract homes dominating Northside and Southside corridors were built to minimal codes and have degraded further, yet most homeowners only know their bills are high. A blower-door test and thermal imaging pinpoint exactly where conditioned air escapes. Home Energy Audit details our full diagnostic process.
Every audit we perform in San Antonio includes written findings with prioritized recommendations and a written price for any work we propose. No work starts without it.
Blower Door Test
Signs you need it
High energy bills with no obvious cause, rooms that never reach set temperature, or a home built before 2000 that has never had envelope testing.
What it costs in San Antonio
A standalone blower-door test in San Antonio costs $350-$650, or is included at no charge when bundled with recommended work.
How we do it
We install a calibrated fan in an exterior door, depressurize the home to 50 Pascals, and measure CFM50 to quantify total envelope leakage.
Thermal Imaging Inspection
Signs you need it
Hot or cold spots on walls and ceilings, suspected missing insulation in finished spaces, or verification needed after insulation work.
What it costs in San Antonio
Thermal imaging inspection in San Antonio runs $250-$500 as a standalone service, or combined with blower-door testing for $450-$850 total.
How we do it
We scan all envelope surfaces with a FLIR camera during blower-door depressurization, marking thermal bypasses and insulation gaps for photo documentation.
What Home Energy Audit Costs in San Antonio
| Item | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Blower-door test | $350 - $650 |
| Thermal imaging inspection | $250 - $500 |
| Full energy audit (blower door + thermal + duct test) | $450 - $850 |
Will the audit tell me what to fix first?
Yes. Your written report ranks findings by cost-effectiveness and safety, with a separate written price for each recommended scope. You choose what to proceed with; nothing is bundled or assumed.
How long does a home energy audit take?
Plan on two to three hours for a full audit. We need access to attic, crawl space if present, and all rooms. San Antonio homes with multiple HVAC systems take longer to assess fully.
Brands We Service in San Antonio
We source insulation and air-sealing materials from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Knauf, and GreenFiber, with no proprietary lock-in that limits your options. Our San Antonio warehouse stocks common batts, blown fiberglass, and cellulose for same-day starts on approved jobs. our brands page lists full specifications.
Pricing for Insulation in San Antonio, TX
| Service | Typical range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Crawl space vapor barrier replacement | $1,200 - $2,800 |
| Full crawl space encapsulation | $3,500 - $7,500 |
| Attic radiant barrier installation | $1,500 - $3,200 |
| Radiant barrier roof deck application | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Contaminated insulation removal | $1,800 - $3,500 |
| Insulation removal + replacement | $2,200 - $4,800 |
| Attic air sealing (full) | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Injection foam wall insulation | $3,500 - $7,500 |
| Drill & fill wall insulation | $2,800 - $6,000 |
| Attic sanitizing & decontamination | $1,500 - $3,200 |
| Rodent proofing & exclusion | $1,200 - $2,800 |
| Full home energy audit | $450 - $850 |
Prices in San Antonio increase with attic square footage over 2,500 square feet, steep roof pitches above 6:12, and homes requiring extensive access repair. Every job still begins with a written price before any work starts, and we provide a Free Second Opinion on any competing written estimate.
Neighborhoods We Serve in San Antonio
Our San Antonio office dispatches crews across the metro with same-day and next-day availability for most services. We regularly work in established neighborhoods with the specific housing stock and conditions described above.
- Stone Oak and Bulverde growth corridor
- Monte Vista and Olmos Park
- Northside and Northwest Side tract home areas
- Southside and Westside historic neighborhoods
- Universal City corridor
Service Area - Cities Near San Antonio
We serve homeowners throughout the San Antonio metro and surrounding communities. Crews are regularly dispatched to Converse, TX, Universal City, TX, Schertz, TX, and Cibolo, TX for insulation, air sealing, and energy audit work. Scheduling is coordinated from our San Antonio office.
Serving San Antonio, TX - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Antonio area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Insulation in San Antonio
Most attic insulation retrofits do not require a permit in San Antonio, but spray foam at the roof deck and any structural modification may. We verify permit requirements before work starts and include any fees in your written price.
Our San Antonio office answers calls live 24/7, and we typically schedule estimates within 48 hours. Emergency situations like post-storm water intrusion in crawl spaces receive priority scheduling.
Some San Antonio HOAs, particularly in newer Stone Oak and Cibolo-area developments, require notification for exterior work or roof access. We provide written scope documentation for HOA submission upon request.
Call (830) 402-5240 for a free estimate with a written price before any work starts. Our San Antonio office answers live, and every job includes a Documented Photo Record and, on applicable work, before-and-after blower-door numbers.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local insulation pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, typically within the hour.
- 4You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
What San Antonio Customers Say
"They air-sealed the attic floor before insulating and showed me the blower-door number before and after. The upstairs is finally the same temperature as downstairs."
- Marisol D."Turned up on time, protected the hallway, and the written scope matched what was actually done."
- Bruno S."The winter gas bill dropped by about a third. They had estimated a quarter, so they under-promised."
- Genevieve R.