Insulating your home is a great way to improve the efficiency of the building, with benefits that include temperature control, pest control, soundproofing, lowered energy consumption and improved overall comfort. When you’re in the market for insulation, it’s crucial to consider all aspects of it; not only is the type of insulation important, but you should also consider what R-value you need for your specific space. Below, we discuss what insulation R-value is, how it’s dependent on the climate in which you live and how to choose the right rating for certain areas of your home.
What is Insulation R-Value?
Insulation’s R-value measures its thermal resistance and is based on the density, thickness and material used for specific insulation; it indicates how well certain insulation can resist the flow of heat. R-value is calculated by considering temperature difference, area and time in relation to heat loss.
The R-value is an important aspect of choosing insulation, ensuring it achieves what it’s intended to do. When the proper R-value is achieved, homeowners can cut energy costs by up to 20% without sacrificing efficiency and comfort.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Insulation
There are several factors that play into choosing the right insulation. Climate hugely impacts what R-value is needed for your home. Because R-value measures the resistance to heat flow, colder climates will need R-values in the R-49 to R-60 range while warmer climates require lower ratings. In addition to climate, the location in your home being insulated must be considered as different outliers can alter your insulation’s R-value.
It’s crucial to also look into the amount of thickness and density different insulation materials such as spray foam, fiberglass batts and cellulose contain. It’s important to note that radiant barriers and vapor barriers are not rated by R-values.
Keeping your budget and financial requirements in mind is also essential during this process; while a higher R-value is inevitably a greater investment upfront, it may be necessary to achieve the most benefits and cut costs in the long run.
Choosing the Right R-Value for Attics, Walls & Floors
Different parts of your home can impact both the accuracy and effectiveness of your insulation’s R-value. Moisture, air leaks, age, wear & tear and existing insulation all play a role in deciding what’s right for certain areas.
Your attic and walls will likely need a greater R-value than your floors, basement and crawl spaces. Attics require more (R-49 minimum in cold climates and R-38 in warmer climates) as they are responsible for keeping out heat and humidity during the summer and cold air during the winter which can greatly affect your HVAC system’s performance and the overall comfort of your home.
What Insulation Has the Highest R-Value?
Rigid foam has the highest R-value per inch, ranging between R-3.8 to R-5.0 for polystyrene, R-5.5 to R-6.5 for polyurethane and R-5.6 to R-8.0 for polyisocyanurate. Due to this, rigid foam insulation is typically reserved for basement walls and foundations.
Book an Insulation Installation With Rocket Insulation
Rocket Insulation is here to transform your home with superb insulation installation services in Long Island. We are proudly a member of the IBB (Installed Building Products) team which gives us the tools and knowledge needed to be a leader in the industry. We prioritize education, ensuring our climates are always aware of our service goals and processes and are determined to deliver achievable results that meet your comfort, safety and budgeting needs.
Choose the Rocket Insulation team for fast, reliable insulation installation services for your Long Island home today!