Exterior Wall R Value Insulation Chart

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.

Exterior wall r value insulation chart.

Along with knowing the r value of a particular insulation it is also important to calculate the r value of a total system. 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. 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. 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.

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

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. 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. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. In the chart above you will notice that there are two vastly different r values provided for insulated metal doors with polyurethane 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. Note from this. Recommended home insulation r values. U factor is a measure of a component assembly in its conductive and radiate capacities.

These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation. 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. What is the difference.