Recommended Exterior Wall Insulation R Value

Insulation is rated in two ways r value and u value.

Recommended exterior wall insulation r value.

Insulation level are specified by r value. To meet this recommendation most homes and additions constructed with 2 in. How to achieve r 21 in a 2x4 wall. Basics of faced fiberglass insulation from r 13 to r 19.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The r refers to absolute thermal resistance. The r value is a calculation which measures the flow of heat through an insulation product or its. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The r value of insulation indicates how well it resists heat and according to home depot the higher the r value the greater the insulation performance what is the ideal r value for exterior walls. Insulate the garage s ceiling by using the recommended r value for your area as advised by the department of energy s oak ridge laboratory. Foam board insulation is easy to install between wall studs and over existing blanket insulation.

For new construction or home additions r 11 to r 28 insulation is recommended for exterior walls depending on location see map below. R value is a standard unit of measurement for determining among many things how effective your insulation will be. Your attic requires the most insulation up to r 60 is recommended in all but the warmest climates. As with attics or anywhere else in your home adding more layers of insulation to your exterior walls is key to having a higher r value and better thermal performance.

If the walls and ceiling are closed in consider using loose fill insulation as this form of insulation uses a machine to get the insulation where it needs to go through a hole in the sheetrock. Achieving greater r values in exterior walls. Home depot provides a map of the u s. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.

Walls require a combination of wall cavity insulation such as batts and insulating sheathing or rigid foam boards. Higher r value numbers mean that the insulating material resists the cold or heat from the outside better. That indicates which value is best for each region. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Here s a look at the best exterior wall insulation options. You also benefit from insulating exterior walls to a level of r 13 to r 21.