Exterior Wall R Value Insulation Chart

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.

Exterior wall r value insulation chart.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. Note from this. 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. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

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. Insulation level are specified by r value. As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1. 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.

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. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. 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. R value actually stands for resistive value.

See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. 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. These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation. What is the difference.

In the chart above you will notice that there are two vastly different r values provided for insulated metal doors with polyurethane insulation. 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. 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. U factor is a measure of a component assembly in its conductive and radiate capacities.