Recommended R Value For Attic Insulation

The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to r 38 or about 10 to 14 inches depending on insulation type.

Recommended r value for attic insulation.

In particularly cold climates you might go up to r 60. 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. Other considerations may include indoor air quality impacts life cycle costs recycled content embodied energy and ease of installation especially if you plan to do the. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

To choose the best insulation for your home from the many types of insulation on the market you ll need to know where you want or need to install the insulation and what r value you want the installation to achieve. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. You will need a higher r value of insulation if you live in the northeast than if you live in southern california.

The r value of the insulation for every inch of thickness depends on the type of insulation. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended r value for attic insulation in ontario is between r 50 and r 60. Lighter in weight than cellulose or mineral wool but it settles more than those materials so you ve got to put in a thicker layer to get the protection you need.

Add the right kind of insulation. You can achieve better thermal performance in your attic by adding an additional layer of insulation. The transfer of heat by contact with solid objects such as the ceiling walls or floor is called conduction see figure 1. R values of common types of insulation.

Your home s r value score will guide you toward the type of insulation you need. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat flow. The amount of insulation recommended for your home will vary depending on a number of factors. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

In general an attic s r value should be between r 30 and r 49. Achieving greater r values in exterior walls. Where you live different climates require different insulation r values. Recommended home insulation r values.

The two distinct types of attic insulation are loose fill material also commonly known as blown in insulation and batting. Insulation level are specified by r value. Recycled glass or sand that s melted and spun into fibers.