Showing posts with label Insulation Efficiency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Insulation Efficiency. Show all posts

Monday, October 5, 2009

St. Louis and recommended insulation R-values?





In St. Louis we tend to have weather that goes from one extreme to another. Temperatures can change drastically in a matter of a day or two, so proper insulation is critical. In this post we will look at recommended R-value for a home in this region, to protect from these extreme weather changes.

As discussed in prior posts a very important factor when considering insulating a home is R-value. There are recommended R-values for each component of one's home. Lets look at each area, and review its estimated R-value.

Wall framing: Walls in residential structures can vary in thickness. The most common framing materials used are 2x4's and 2x6's.
If you live in a 2x4 constructed home, a minimum of R-13 is recommended. For home's constructed of 2x6's a minimum of R-20 is recommended.

Attic Space: Attic spaces typically receive more exposure to extreme weather conditions. Therefore, this area needs to have a higher R-value to compensate. The minimum requirement for an attic space is R-38 in our region.

Check out the coverage chart above for recommended R-values in your area.




Tuesday, September 29, 2009

What insulating materials have the highest R-value?

R-value is resistance to air flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation material is.
One of the major factors that determines R-value, is what the insulating material is composed of.

Insulating materials and R-values:
There are many different types of materials that are commonly used in the insulation of a building. Some of these materials are more efficient than others. The following is a list of common insulating materials, arranged in order from least to most efficient.

- Rock wool : R-Value per sq. inch = 2.5
- Loose fill fiberglass : R-Value per sq. inch = 2.5
- Standard Fiberglass batts : R-Value per sq. inch = 3.1
- Icynene Spray : R-Value per sq inch. = 3.6
- Blown cellulose : R-Value per sq. inch = 3.8
-Polystyrene Board : R-Value per sq. inch = 5.0
-Polyurethane Rigid Panel : R-Value per sq. inch = 7.0
(Wikipedia, R-Value)