Recommended R Values For Wall 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 your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3.

Recommended r values for wall insulation.

Higher r value numbers mean that the insulating material resists the cold or heat from the outside better. Department of energy r value recommendations for new and existing homes. You can achieve better thermal performance in your attic by adding an additional layer of insulation. Other considerations may include indoor air quality impacts life cycle costs recycled content embodied energy and ease of installation especially if you plan to do the.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. While wall insulation is limited by the width of the studs different materials provide higher or lower r values. Insulation level are specified by r value. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. To choose the best insulation for your home from the many types of insulation on the market you ll need to know where you want or need to install the insulation and what r value you want the installation to achieve. The following 2008 department of energy zone recommendations are based on comparing estimated future energy savings to the current cost of installing insulation.

Achieving greater r values in exterior walls. Thickness density and type of materials are some factors that contribute to. Fiberglass batts for standard 2 4 walls are now available in low medium and high density products that range from r 11 to r 15. The r refers to absolute thermal resistance.

The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. Note from this. 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.