Insulation R-values for Homes

A home in a hot climate will have high energy bills due to air conditioning, whereas a home in a cold climate will have high energy bills due to heating.

There are several types of insulation, however the prevalent types used in homes are batt and blanket insulation, rigid foam insulation, blown cellulose fiber insulation and sprayed foam insulation. Each has different R-values due to the fact that they are manufactured out of different types of materials.

Batt and Blanket Insulation R-values

Batt insulation, or blanket insulation is typically made from pink fiberglass or yellow looking rockwool material and is used prevalently in walls, attics and between floors. Their R-value is approximately 3.14 to 4.0 per inch, respectively. This type of insulation is slid into place between wall studs and ceiling and floor joists and stapled into place. Some types come with a paper facing, others do not. Blanket insulation typically comes in long rolls that can be cut to length, whereas batt insulation comes in many 4 or 8 foot lengths per bundle.

Rigid Foam Insulation R-values Rigid foam insulation is typically used on exterior sheathing or around foundation walls. It is also used in basements between furring strips attached to concrete walls. Typically rigid foam insulation has an R-value of 4.4 per inch. Spray Foam Insulation R-values Spray foam insulation is used in homes between wall studs and floor joists, and in ceilings.

It is typically installed by a professional as it requires some sophisticated equipment. The two part liquid polymer is sprayed from a nozzle into walls, floors and ceilings.

As it is sprayed it rapidly expands to fill the cavity. When used in between wall studs on new home construction, after it has been sprayed and expanded, it is then trimmed to the wall thickness using a saw. Spray foam insulation is ideal for older existing homes, as small holes can be drilled in between the wall studs, and the insulation sprayed in. The R-value of spray foam insulation is approximately 3.7 per inch.

Blown Cellulose Fiber Insulation

Blown cellulose fiber insulation is made from chemically treated recycled newspapers. The chemicals help to ensure the insulation material is fire retardant and moisture resistant. Cellulose fiber insulation has an R-value of approximately 3.5. Though it can be used in walls, attics and between floors, it is ideally suited for hard to reach places, such as attics. It is great for filling in between cracks and otherwise hard to insulate places. Typically a professional needs to install this type of insulation as it requires some special equipment for blowing it into place. Overall blown cellulose fiber insulation costs a little more than batt or blanket insulation, however it has a better R-value and more tightly seals hard to insulate areas.

Use the Correct R-Value for Your Region

It is important to use the correct insulation R-values in specific areas of the home, for your region of the country. The U.S. Department of Energy has published guidelines for the recommended R-values for each region of the country. (See below). It is important when buying a home to make sure that the building contractor has insulated the home using these recommend R-values for your area.