Exterior Wall R Value Insulation Chart

As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1.

Exterior wall r value insulation chart.

Recommended home insulation r values. Let me explain when the general public hears an r 13 wall insulation they believe that in fact they have an r 13 insulation value in their exterior walls. In comparison an inch of blown fiberglass insulation has an r value of 3 1 3 4 and an inch of blown cellulose in an attic has an r value of 3 2 3 7. For example a wall with 3 fiberglass batting r value of 10 8 11 9 may have an overall r value of nearly 14 because of siding sheathing and drywall.

Along with knowing the r value of a particular insulation it is also important to calculate the r value of a total system. U factor is a measure of a component assembly in its conductive and radiate capacities. R inch r thick ness insulation materials fiberglass batt 3 14 fiberglass blown attic 2 20 1 fiberglass blown wall 3 20 rock wool batt 3 14 rock wool blown attic 3 10 rock wool blown wall 3 03 cellulose blown attic 3 13 cellulose blown wall 3 70 vermiculite 2 13 air entrained concrete 3 90 urea terpolymer foam 4 48. Note from this.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. Also included is the hugely helpful insulation zip code calculator that spells out the suggested amount of r value necessary for the different portions of a structure like foundation interior and exterior walls attic and more. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. Depending on where you live and the part of your home you re insulating walls crawlspace attic etc you ll need a different r value.

What is the difference. Additional r value for a masonry wall constructed using these materials needs to add the insulating value of additional wall components typically included such as 1 solid foam polyisocyanurate r 8 extruded polystyrene r 5 expanded polystyrene r 4 or 1 of perlite r 2 7 and for an exterior air film winter no wind r 0 17 an interior. Insulation level are specified by r value. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

For example if you have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed in your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. R value actually stands for resistive value. Based on astm c518 calculation method the door has an r value of up to 11 but using astm c1363 tested operable the same door only have an r value of up to 3 5. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are r 13 to r 23 while r 30 r 38 and r 49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.