Attic Insulation R Value Chart

R value requirements are different based on your location.

Attic insulation r value chart.

Recommended home insulation r values. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. 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. Achieving greater r values in attics the higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

The r value depends on the type of insulation density and thickness. Colder climates will typically require a higher r value for even greater thermal. You will need a higher r value of insulation if you live in the northeast than if you live in southern. How much insulation should you install.

Where you live different climates require different insulation r values. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Chart courtesy of energy star. A high r value then means higher effectiveness.

The r value of some insulations also depends on temperature aging and moisture accumulation. Installing more insulation in your home increases the r value and the resistance to heat flow. How do you figure out r value. The greater the r value the greater the insulating performance.

Note from this chart that the ideal r value differs for each part of your home. How well insulation resists heat flow depends on how and where you install the insulation. For some types of insulation the r value also depends on aging temperature and moisture. R value refers to the insulation s ability to resist heat flow.

The amount of insulation recommended for your home will vary depending on a number of factors. 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. As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Find your zone on the map and then use the chart to determine the level of insulation you need to properly insulate your attic walls floors and crawlspaces. 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. Along with knowing the r value of a particular insulation it is also important to calculate the r value of a total system. When calculating the r value of a multilayered installation add the r values of the individual layers.