Attic R Value Requirements

Recommended home insulation r values.

Attic r value requirements.

Insulation level are specified by r value. The higher the r value the greater the insulating effectiveness. Your home s age if your home is more than 10 year old you likely need more insulation. The ildceo recommends the following r levels of insulation for this region.

R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. There are many ways to retrofit a home with fiberglass and. Insulation r value requirements for usa.

The r value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material its thickness and its density. R value based method of section c402 1 3 u c and f factor based method of section c402 1 4. Where you live different climates require different insulation r values. Or component performance alternative of section c402 1 5 roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance fenestration in building envelope.

Sps 322 32 1 b b an attic access cover shall be weatherstripped and insulated to a level equivalent to the insulation on the surrounding surfaces when the. These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation. 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. See revised table area recommended r value attic 43 wall existing 13 wall new 21 floor over unconditioned space 21 basement wall 10.

R value the greater the insulating effectiveness. According to its r value or resistance to heat flow. The higher the r value the better the insulation is in reducing heat flow. Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance called r value which indicates the resistance to heat flow.

You will need a higher r value of insulation if you live in the northeast than if you live in southern california. For example if you have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed in your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. Sps 322 32 1 a a r 38 will satisfy the ceiling r value requirement for a dwelling where the full height of uncompressed r 38 insulation extends over the wall top plate at the eaves. Depending on where you live and the part of your home you re insulating walls crawlspace attic etc you ll need a different r value.

Installing more insulation in your home increases r value and the resistance to heat flow. The insulation levels of an attic or of any part of a house are understood through the r value that is the value with which the insulating material is resistant to heat flow. The r value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material its thickness and density.