If you’ve been looking into insulating your home or business, then you’ve probably come across the term “R-value”. This is an important factor when it comes to insulation. Understanding the R-value of an insulation material tells you about its effectiveness and will help you to decide how much of it you need for your home or commercial building.
So, what exactly is R-Value? R-value is a measurement that tells you how well different insulation materials can resist heat transfer. The higher the value, the greater the insulation’s performance. It’s a more accurate way to measure how well insulation performs rather than judging by inches of thickness. Here in northern Illinois, the recommended R-value for attic insulation is between R49 and R60 because we are in a colder climate zone. This is equal to about 14 to 19 inches of loose fill cellulose insulation. So, even if there’s some insulation in your attic, it is very possible that it’s not enough for our climate.
The factors used to determine a material’s R-value include the material’s thickness, density and type. Adding more layers of insulation in your home increases its resistance to heat flow. If you’re planning to use more than one layer of insulation, then you would add the R-value of each layer together to determine their total effectiveness. So, in order to choose the best insulation material for your home from the many types of insulation on the market, you’ll need to know where insulation is needed and what total R-value you want to achieve.
For more information on how much insulation you have, need, or any questions give Comfort 1st Insulation a call (833) 244-7283, email info@comfort1stinsulation.com or fill out or contact form. We’re certified and accredited professionals with the experience and knowledge to provide the best Insulation System tailored to your needs.