Insulation Company in Kensington, CA
Attic insulation, blown-in insulation, and insulation removal in Kensington come down to three things: getting the R-value right for a fog-and-sun microclimate, working inside older hillside construction without disturbing what’s already there, and giving you a written price before anyone climbs a ladder. We’re Alden Attic Insulation, part of the Garrison Partners family since 2002, and we hold every Kensington job to The Garrison Standard: written prices, written guarantees, and a background-checked crew that shows up inside the window it promised. Call (254) 272-5876 and a live person answers, 24/7.
Why Kensington Homes Are Different
Kensington sits on the east slope of the Berkeley Hills, which means two things for insulation work: summer fog that lingers on the west side near Arlington Avenue and colder, drier air pushing up from Wildcat Canyon to the east. Homes here were largely built between the 1920s and 1960s, so most attics have original framing, shallow rafter bays, and very little room to maneuver. That changes how we approach every job. Blown-in insulation in a Kensington attic often means working around 2×4 or 2×6 ceiling joists that were never meant to carry much weight, while removal jobs frequently involve old rock wool or vermiculite that has settled into a compacted layer over six or seven decades. The hillside lots also mean many attics are accessed through narrow scuttle holes in closets or hallway ceilings, not pull-down ladders in a garage. None of this is unusual to us; it’s the standard condition for Kensington homes, and it’s why we quote jobs in this area with real square footage and R-value math, not a one-size-fits-all number.
Our Main Kensington Services
The two calls we get most from Kensington homeowners are for attic insulation and blown-in insulation, with removal work following close behind when old material has failed, absorbed moisture, or become a rodent problem. Each service has its own dedicated Kensington page with full pricing and detail.
Attic Insulation in Kensington
Most Kensington attics we inspect sit at R-19 or below, which means heat moves through the ceiling all year – out in winter, in during summer heat waves. We install batts and rolls from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, and Knauf, cut to fit the tight rafter bays common in 1930s and 1940s hillside construction. Air sealing around can lights, plumbing penetrations, and the attic hatch itself is part of the job; without it, insulation underperforms no matter what R-value you buy. See the full scope on the Attic Insulation in Kensington page.
Blown In Insulation in Kensington
Blown-in insulation is often the practical choice for Kensington attics with irregular joist spacing, low clearance, or hard-to-reach corners around dormers and knee walls. We install GreenFiber cellulose and Johns Manville fiberglass, both of which conform to the odd geometry of older hillside framing better than batts. The density is dialed in per square foot to hit the R-value we quote, and we document the installed depth before and after so you can see what you paid for. Details and Kensington-specific pricing are on the Blown In Insulation in Kensington page.
Insulation Removal in Kensington
Removal in Kensington usually means one of three situations: old material has gotten wet from a roof leak or condensation, rodents have nested and soiled it, or a homeowner wants to start clean before air sealing and reinsulating. We use commercial HEPA-filtered vacuums and bag everything for disposal, then leave the attic clean and dry for whatever goes in next. The job often includes sanitizing affected areas and checking for entry points, so the problem doesn’t return. Read the full process on the Insulation Removal in Kensington page.
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.
Brands We Service in Kensington
We install and remove insulation using products from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, and GreenFiber, among others. Our Kensington crews keep common sizes and densities stocked locally, so most jobs start without waiting on a warehouse order. You can research any of these materials on your own before we come out; see our brands for the full list and specs.
Pricing for Insulation Company in Kensington, CA
| Service | Typical range in Kensington |
|---|---|
| Attic insulation inspection and air sealing estimate | $150 – $300 |
| Blown-in insulation, 1,000 sq ft attic | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| Blown-in insulation, 1,500 sq ft attic | $1,800 – $3,600 |
| Blown-in insulation, 2,000 sq ft attic | $2,400 – $4,800 |
| Batt insulation install, per 100 sq ft | $80 – $160 |
| Insulation removal, 1,000 sq ft attic | $900 – $1,800 |
| Insulation removal, 1,500 sq ft attic | $1,350 – $2,700 |
| Insulation removal, 2,000 sq ft attic | $1,800 – $3,600 |
| Air sealing package with insulation job | $300 – $700 |
What pushes a Kensington price up is usually attic access, not square footage. A 1950s home with a closet scuttle and low clearance takes longer to work in than a newer build with a full pull-down ladder. Whatever the number is, it’s in your hand before a single tool comes off the truck, and the figure you approve is the figure on the invoice.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Kensington
We work throughout Kensington and the surrounding hillside streets, including:
- Upper Kensington near Kensington Park and Colusa Circle
- West Kensington along Arlington Avenue and the Berkeley border
- The area around Kensington School and the community center
- Homes east toward Wildcat Canyon and the El Cerrito line
Most of our Kensington appointments are scheduled inside a two-hour window, with the crew arriving in uniform and on time, not a vague half-day range.
Service Area – Cities Near Kensington
While this page is about Kensington, our Bay Area crews also serve homeowners across the wider region. If you’re outside Kensington proper, you can find service and pricing details for San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, Los Angeles, CA, or San Diego, CA. Dispatching for Kensington is coordinated from our San Francisco Bay Area office; the crew that arrives at your door is local to the East Bay hills.
Serving Kensington, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Kensington 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 Company in Kensington
Most Kensington insulation jobs can be scheduled within a few business days, depending on the scope. Emergency removal after a leak or animal problem can often be prioritized sooner. Call (254) 272-5876 and a live person will give you a real window, not a voicemail.
In most cases, adding or replacing attic insulation does not require a permit in Kensington, but removal that disturbs old material or any structural access changes might. We’ll tell you what applies to your specific job before we start, in writing.
Yes. We serve the entire Kensington area, including narrow hillside streets with limited parking and tight driveways. Our crews are used to working around that, and we’ll confirm access requirements when we schedule your appointment.
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 1-hour.
- 4You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
What Kensington Customers Say
"Tidy crew. Vacuumed the hall and covered the hatch."
- Bea J."Clear estimate with R-value listed. No hidden extras."
- Hank T."Pulled up the old insulation and bagged it neatly. No dust in the house."
- Doug F.