Reflective Attic Insulation R Value

Although it is possible to calculate an r value for a specific radiant barrier or reflective insulation installation the effectiveness of these systems lies in their ability to reduce heat gain by reflecting heat away from the living space.

Reflective attic insulation r value.

You can achieve better thermal performance in your attic by adding an additional layer of insulation. R values range from r 3 7 to r 21 depending on the applications. Radiant barriers reflect radiant heat. Recycled glass or sand that s melted and spun into fibers.

An easy to install double reflective double bubble insulation. This works to slow conductive heat. Energy saving residential applications include. Both conductive and radiant heat are trying to enter your home on a hot summer day or leave on a winter day when you are running the heat inside.

If the product is simply doubled with no air space between the layers a very minimal benefit is obtained r 1 1 per layer for the reflective double bubble product. R values themselves don t mean much alone unless they are used to compare the effectiveness of different r. Air space equals r value if you don t provide air space this product provides almost no insulating value. A higher r value product takes longer to absorb 100 of it s potential and therefore is more effective at delaying the transfer of heat.

If you install 2 layers of a reflective insulation does the r value double. 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. Traditional attic insulation has r value. Basically a product with a higher r value is better than a simliar product with a lower r value.

2 inch x 4 inch walls can hold r 13 or r 15 batts. Reflectix s stated r 14 r values for exterior walls are good only if the reflectix is paired up with r 13 fiberglass batt insulation. As such a radiant barrier has no inherent r value. But for the homeowner who already has r 30 to r 38 insulation in the attic it won t help much.

2 inch x 6 inch walls can use r 19 or r 21 products. Achieving greater r values in exterior walls. Batts and rolls are available in widths suited to standard spacing of wall studs attic trusses or rafters and floor joists. Most estimates for installing radiant barriers reach in the thousands of dollars.