Spray Foam Insulation R Values

For 6 inches r 15 or r 19 etc.

Spray foam insulation r values.

R values are additive so you can multiple the number of inches of insulation thickness times the r value to arrive at a total insulation value. Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist conductive heat flow. Closed cell spray foam insulation. Open cell spray foam insulation is air impermeable and is applied with a minimum of 3 5 on average and can be used for attics interior floors walls and soundproofing.

By expanding 100 times its original size icynene seals cracks and gaps in attics walls ceilings and other spaces where air might escape. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. The r value of spray foam insulation is approximately 6 per inch so those using spray foam as their insulator will need about 6 3 inches of thickness to reach r 38. Insulation level are specified by r value.

Open cell spray foams are between 5 and 1 lbs per cubic foot and have an r value of 3 0 4 0 per inch of insulation. Recommended home insulation r values. Open cell foam insulation values r3 r4. 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.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. For example closed cell spray foam depending on brand can offer an r 6 or r 7 per inch. Bulky materials resist conductive and to a lesser degree convective heat flow in a building cavity. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Closed cell spray foam r values. Closed cell spray foam has a far better r value per inch than other less effective insulations like cellulose fiberglass or even open cell foam. Traditional insulation such as cellulose or fiberglass is not comparable to spray foam insulation in r value as those insulation methods use r value of heat transfer. The r value of fiberglass insulation is approximately 2 2 per inch so much thicker fiberglass insulation is required to achieve the same r value of 38.

Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass rock and slag wool cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards to sleek foils. All these have r values ranging from r 3 2 to r 3 8 per inch. Why spray foam insulation is so effective in meeting code requirements is that it has a higher r value per inch of product used than batts.