Seal first, then add depth
Attic Insulation & Air Sealing in Detroit, MI
Close the hidden holes in the attic floor, then bring it up to the depth a Zone 5A attic needs.
- Free on-site look before any price
- Written quote with foam type, thickness and R-value by area
- Moisture, knob-and-tube and leaks flagged before anything gets covered
The Attic Is Where the Heat Goes
Attic insulation and air sealing go together. Warm air rises, and in most Detroit homes it escapes through holes in the attic floor: around chimneys and flues, plumbing stacks, wiring holes, recessed lights, the attic hatch and the top plates of interior walls. Adding insulation without sealing those holes leaves the leaks in place under a thicker blanket. So we seal first and insulate second.
How much is enough
The Michigan residential energy code that is in force lists R-38 for ceilings in Climate Zone 5A, which covers Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For existing homes the Department of Energy suggests more: R-60 for an uninsulated Zone 5 attic, or adding R-49 when 3 to 4 inches are already there. DTE's rebate page recommends at least R-38 for most attics. We measure what you have and show the target depth on the quote.
Ice dams and the Detroit winter
Detroit Metro averages about 45 inches of snow a year, and freezing temperatures can show up any time from late October to late April. When warm air leaks into the attic, it warms the roof deck, melts snow from below, and that water refreezes at the cold eaves. The result is ice dams and sometimes water stains on ceilings. Air sealing plus proper venting at the eaves is the long-term fix, and it also cuts the heat loss that causes it.
Blown-in or foam?
Most attic floors with good access get sealed with foam and caulk at the leaks, then filled with blown cellulose or fiberglass to depth. That is usually the lowest cost per R-value. Spray foam on the underside of the roof makes sense when ducts or a furnace sit in the attic, when the roof shape leaves no room for venting, or in finished attic rooms. We explain which approach fits your attic.
Older attics
Many pre-war Detroit attics have a few inches of old, compressed insulation, or none at all in some bays. Some have floored storage areas that hide the joists, or a flat roof section with almost no attic space. A few have loose-fill that could be vermiculite, which needs testing before anyone disturbs it. We note all of that before quoting.
Summer comfort
The same attic that loses heat in winter bakes in a humid Michigan July. Sealing and insulating the attic floor keeps that heat out of the bedrooms below and takes load off the air conditioner.
We price your attic after we have been up there. Get a free estimate
Attic Work We Do
What an attic job can include.
Air sealing the attic floor
Foam and caulk at top plates, chases, flues (with proper clearance), stacks, wiring and lights.
Blown-in cellulose or fiberglass
Loose fill added to the target depth, with depth markers.
Hatch and pull-down stair covers
Insulating and weatherstripping the attic access.
Eave baffles
Keeping vent channels open at the soffits so new insulation does not block airflow.
Roof deck spray foam
Foam on the underside of the roof for unvented or conditioned attics.
Old insulation removal
Pulling wet, dirty or rodent-damaged insulation before starting fresh.
Typical Attic Insulation & Air Sealing Costs
| Job | Range and source |
|---|---|
| Attic insulation, average job | $1,000 to $2,700, about $1,800 average (HomeGuide) |
| Air sealing | $350 to $3,000 (HomeGuide) |
| Blown-in, attic | $0.90 to $2.40 per sq ft (HomeGuide attic guide) |
| Spray foam on the attic floor | $1,100 to $6,800 (HomeGuide) |
| Spray foam on the roof deck | $1,500 to $9,000 (HomeGuide) |
| Spray foam, attic in an existing home | $2,500 to $12,000 (Fixr) |
| Old insulation removal | $1 to $2 per sq ft (HomeGuide) |
| DTE rebate, roof and attic | $600 for 500+ sq ft, if DTE is your primary heat provider (DTE, 2026) |
Ranges come from HomeGuide's January 2026 attic guide and Fixr's 2025 spray foam guide, and the rebate from DTE's 2026 page. The size of the attic, how much sealing it needs, access and any removal set your cost. The price we write on your estimate after the visit is the price.
From Hatch to Finished Attic
1. Inspect and measure
We check depth, condition, leaks, venting and anything that should not be covered.
2. Written quote
Sealing, insulation type, depth and R-value listed separately.
3. Seal
Bypasses and penetrations sealed, baffles set at the eaves.
4. Insulate
Loose fill blown to depth or foam applied, with depth markers.
5. Walk-through
We show you the result and leave photos of the work.
Why Choose Us for Attic Insulation & Air Sealing
Sealing is itemized
You see what gets sealed, not just how many bags go in.
Venting kept open
Baffles keep the soffit vents clear.
Rebate details listed
Area and square footage written down for DTE paperwork.
Attic Insulation & Air Sealing Questions
How much attic insulation do I need in Detroit?
The Michigan code in force lists R-38 for ceilings in Zone 5A. The Department of Energy suggests R-60 for a bare attic in Zone 5, or adding R-49 over 3 to 4 inches. In blown cellulose that is roughly 13 to 17 inches or more, depending on the product.
Will more insulation stop my ice dams?
Insulation helps, but air sealing matters more. Ice dams come from warm house air reaching the roof deck. Sealing the attic floor and keeping the eaves vented addresses the cause.
Can you add insulation on top of what is there?
Usually, if the old insulation is dry and clean. Wet, moldy or rodent-damaged insulation should come out. Loose fill that may be vermiculite should be tested first.
Does DTE give a rebate for attic insulation?
DTE's 2026 insulation page lists $600 for roof and attic insulation of at least 500 square feet when DTE is the primary provider of your heat. Applications have deadlines and funds are limited, so check the page.
Attic Insulation & Air Sealing Service Areas
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Get an Attic Insulation & Air Sealing Estimate
We look in the attic before we quote it.