Knowledge Builders

what is the r value of foam board insulation

by Prof. Kyle Ernser Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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3.6 per inch

What is the best insulation are value?

What R-Value For Attic Insulation?

  • Zone 1 and 2: R-30 to R-49 is recommended.
  • Zone 3: R-30 to R-60 is recommended.
  • Zone 4 and 5: R-38 to R-60 is recommended.
  • Zone 6 and 7: R-49 to R-60 is recommended.

What is the are value of 1 foam board?

The graphite in these foam boards reflects radiant heat, complementing the foam air bubbles’ ability to block conductive heat. This unique function gives them a relatively high initial R-value of 4.7 per inch. GPS’ special feature is its R-value’s longevity.

How to determine the R-value of insulation?

R-values for flat objects such as for sheet insulation are easy to calculate. It is simply the thickness of the insulation in inches divided by the thermal conductivity of the insulation. For example, a two inch thick sheet of insulation with a thermal conductivity of 0.25 Btu•in/h•ft2•°F has an R-value equal to 2 divided by 0.25 or 8.0.

Is higher your value better insulation?

There is a direct relationship between the amount of insulation and the amount of heat transfer. The bigger the R value, the better the insulation is at slowing down the heat transfer. So R19 is better insulation than R13, and R30 is better than R19. The larger the R value, the better the insulation value.

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What is the R-value of 3 inch foam board?

R-12.6EPS Thickness R-Value (Rigid Insulation Chart 4)ISO Thickness:R-Value:2 Inch EPS Foam BoardR-8.42.5 Inch EPS Foam BoardR-10.53 Inch EPS Foam BoardR-12.63.5 Inch EPS Foam BoardR-14.715 more rows

What is the R-value of 2 inch rigid foam?

With an R-value of 13.1 for a 2" thick sheet only two 2" sheets are required to achieve R-25. 2. Extruded polystyrene or XPS (foam is usually pink or blue) XPS has an R-value of 5 per inch of thickness requiring 5" of insulation to achieve R-25.

What is the R-value of 2 inch blue foam board?

DOW BLUE BOARD 2" 2'X8' 250 PSI R-VALUE=10.8.

What is the R-value of STYROFOAM vs fiberglass?

Closed-cell spray foam has an R-value of roughly 6.5 per inch while open-cell spray foam has an R-value of 3.5 per inch. The R-value of fiberglass is significantly lower at around 2.2 per inch. In addition, fiberglass insulation loses R-value over time while spray foam insulation maintains its effectiveness.

What foam board has the highest R-value?

PolyisocyanuratePolyisocyanurate: Known as polyiso for short, polyisocyanurate foam has the highest R-value per inch (R-6.5 to R-6.8) of any rigid insulation. This type of rigid foam usually comes with a reflective foil facing on both sides, so it can also serve as a radiant barrier.

What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?

Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company.

How thick should foam board insulation be?

Most panels range between 3/8″ and 2.5″ in thickness, though other dimensions and thicknesses are usually available through custom order.

Is foam board a good insulator?

Because of its resistance to moisture, foam board insulation is a great choice whenever and wherever there is a chance it could get wet, such as: an exterior foundation, inside a basement against the foundation, and on the outside of a house beneath a house wrap.

What is the R-value of 1 inch thick Styrofoam?

R-Value Chart for EnerfoilTM Rigid Foam Faced InsulationThickness (Inches)R-value (in I-P/Imperial)RSI (R-value in Metric)0.754.50.811.06.21.081.59.31.622.012.42.166 more rows•Dec 13, 2018

Which is better foam board or insulation?

Made from polymers like polyurethane and polystyrene, rigid foam boards are denser, more expensive, and offer better resistance to heat flow than fiberglass. Conversely, fiberglass insulation is cheaper and more flexible, as it is made from raw materials like limestone, silica sand, and recycled glass.

What is cheaper than foam board?

Mineral-filled polypropylene is one of the least expensive styrofoam alternative options. In fact, it is the least expensive sustainable alternative.

Is fiberglass or styrofoam a better insulation?

Rigid foam insulation packs in more R-value per cubic inch than fiberglass insulation does. If conserving energy is your main goal and there are no other influencing factors such as moisture, rigid foam may be your first choice.

Why Do R-values Differ in Foam Board Products?

Since foam board comes in different variations with different compositions, each product has its own effectiveness in preventing heat energy loss. For instance, expanded polystyrene has a lower density and lighter mass. This means it has a lower R-value per inch as compared to other forms of foam board, such as polyurethane. Nonetheless, all of these types count as foam board and bring significant insulation properties to the table.

How Long Does Foam Board Insulation Last?

What good is an insulation that requires replacement after every couple of years? Foam board insulation is one of the most solid solutions out there that provides a durable barrier against the weather. Its closed-cell forms have a long life due to their high-density composition. Not to mention foam board’s resistance towards moisture, which is one of the key reasons behind insulation going bad before its due time. You can expect the R-value to remain constant as well because rigid board does not deteriorate with time. Therefore, durability is the last thing you need to worry about if you’re opting for foam board insulation.

Foam Board Insulation R-Value Chart

R-value tells how well a foam board insulation can hold conditioned air. Be it heat or cool air. In technical terms, R value is the measure of resistance to the flow of heat.

Foam Board Insulation Types

There are basic three foam board insulation types. In the market, you’ll find only these 3 insulation foam boards under different manufacturer names.

How to choose the right type of rigid foam for your needs?

You can buy foam insulation at the local home depot. But, how do you choose most-right foam board insulation for your house? Here we get you through the buying guide in the next few minutes.

What rigid insulation has the highest R-value per inch?

Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso/ISO) rigid insulation has the highest R value per inch. It approximately ranges between 6.5 to 6.8. Also, generally, R values of rigid insulation are high. It generally has a foil facing on one side. While insulating the home one side, it adds a finished appearance to the place as well.

Final Thoughts

Foam board insulation are clever ways to insulate your home externally and internally! It truly does a great job. Though there are several foam board insulation types, choose one that fits in your needs & budget.

Types of Spray Foam Insulation

In general, homeowners use spray foam insulation for various needs, including attics, walls, or exterior insulation. When contractors install spray foam insulation, it is a liquid, but it expands quickly, solidifying and creating bubbles.

What is R-Value?

The R-value is a critical number to know when looking at insulation because it measures the effectiveness of the insulation. This number is calculated based on how well the insulation works in a given situation.

What is the R-Value of Spray Foam Insulation by Type? (Chart)

Open-cell spray foam has an R-value of about 3.8 per inch of thickness. By contrast, closed-cell spray foam has an R-value of about 7 per inch of thickness.

Comparing Open and Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

It can be hard to know when to use one type of insulation over the other. In this section, we will directly compare open and closed cell spray foam insulation using different parameters such as cost, climate, and lifespan.

Conclusion

Spray foam insulation is a very effective type of insulation that you can use for nearly any insulation application. It is a mix of chemicals that, when installed, creates incredibly stable and efficient insulation.

What is the most expensive foam board insulation?

Cost = Polyiso is the most expensive of the foam board insulation products however it’s the highest R value. Polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are both closed-cell foams. They contain low-conductivity gases in the cells (usually one of the HCFC or CFC gases.) The higher R-Values (R 7.0 to 8.0) are the result of thermal resistance ...

What is the R value of polyisocyanurate?

Polyiso is typically used with a foil facing and it has an R value of 7.0 to 8.0 per inch of thickness.

What is EPS foam?

Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is the cheapest and least used foam board product on the market. This product typically has an R value of 3.6 to 4.0 per inch of thickness. Expanded polystyrene insulation is similar to the foam used for packing “peanuts” and it’s typically used for insulated concrete forms also knows as ICF’s. It is also sometimes used on commercial buildings for roof and wall panel insulation which is typically sandwiched between light gauge metal.

How much foam board is needed for a frost?

Most people in the industry consider each inch of foam board to be approx equivalent to 1 to 2 feet of artificial cover. So if the thickened slab is a foot below grade, and you have 2 inches of foam under it, you’ll likely defeat the frost.

Is 6" of fiberglass insulation needed?

In most areas there are minimum required insulation values for cathedral ceilings and attics. 6″ of fiberglass even with 2″ foam won’t likely get enough r value. Sistering a 2×10 will only make the roof stronger, not weaker, and that will get you closer.

Is it bad to put foam over drywall?

1. Installing foam over the drywall would be bad. DON’T do that!

What temperature does foam board insulation work at?

To get a fair comparison between different foam board insulation (FBI) products, the initial R-value is measured at the time of production, with a standard temperature of 75°F. That said, some FBI panels keep more of their R-values as time goes on, and fare better in extreme temperatures, than others. Let’s see how 4 common FBI products stack up in long-term R-values and thermal performance.

What is the R value of a barrier?

R-values measure how well a 2-dimensional barrier can resist conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the lower the heat flow, the better a product at curbing a building’s heat loss and energy use.

What are R-values?

R-values measure how well a 2-dimensional barrier can resist conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the lower the heat flow, the better a product at curbing a building’s heat loss and energy use.

How are R-values Measured?

To get a fair comparison between different foam board insulation (FBI) products, the initial R-value is measured at the time of production, with a standard temperature of 75°F. That said, some FBI panels keep more of their R-values as time goes on, and fare better in extreme temperatures, than others. Let’s see how 4 common FBI products stack up in long-term R-values and thermal performance.

How hot should polyiso boards be?

Polyiso offers solid initial R-values of R-5.6 to R-6 per inch. But there’s a catch: you’ve got to keep these boards warm, preferably above 50°F if you don’t want them to lose these R-values. Unlike most rigid foam boards, they ironically lose their thermal resistance as temperatures fall.

What is GPS board made of?

GPS boards are made of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) that is infused with graphite particles. The graphite in these foam boards reflects radiant heat, complementing the foam air bubbles’ ability to block conductive heat. This unique function gives them a relatively high initial R-value of 4.7 per inch.

Why do XPS boards have carbon?

Because of the blowing agents used in its manufacturing process , XPS boards come with vast amounts of embodied carbon.

What affects the R value of spray foam?

There are a couple of things that affect the R-Value of spray foam – the type of foam, the age of the foam, and how well it is resistant to moisture. The type of foam insulation affects the R-Value just in how they are made up. Open cell is a lighter material, so the R-Value is lower, while closed cell is thicker and denser so the R-Value is higher.

How does foam insulation work?

It works to help maintain a constant temperature, which in turn helps your air conditioner and furnace not run constantly. If you want to learn more about foam insulation, check out the Learning Center on our website.

What is R-Value?

R-Value is a measurement of an insulation material’s thermal resistance.

Why do you spray foam?

That’s because spray foam creates an air seal that stops air movement into and out of the home. So the air you pay to treat stays right where you want it and helps you maintain a constant temperature and comfortable house.

Why is the R value higher in open cell or closed cell?

This is because it takes longer for heat to transfer through the closed cell spray foam due to its denser composition. Now it’s time for an awesome cooking analogy.

How does R value work?

R-Value by itself only measures heat transfer by way of conduction, which is advantageous for fibrous materials. Let’s dive deeper into the air seal foam insulation creates and how that is a game-changer. It comes down to the way heat travels. Heat travels much faster through convection or air movement than by conduction.

What happens if you stack R value on top of R value?

As you can see here, if you try stacking R-Value on top of R-Value you're wasting money as it diminishes your return.

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1.What Is the R-Value of Foam Board Insulation? (With Chart)

Url:https://www.attainablehome.com/what-is-the-r-value-of-foam-board-insulation/

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2.Rigid (Foam Board) Insulation R-Value: Chart & FAQ

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12 hours ago Web5 rows ·  · Foam board insulation has around 3.5-5.5 R-value for every inch. However, these numbers ...

3.Foam Board Insulation R Value Chart and Types | Quiet …

Url:https://www.quiethome.life/foam-board-insulation-r-value-chart-and-types/

32 hours ago Web5 rows ·  · XPS has an foam board insulation R value of 5; It is cheaper than Polyiso but expensive ...

4.Videos of What is the R Value of Foam Board Insulation

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2 hours ago WebR Value Cost / sq. ft. Cost / sq. ft. per R value; Fiberglass batt: 13-30: $0.20-$1.00: ...

5.What is the R-Value of Spray Foam Insulation? (With Chart)

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23 hours ago Web · The bubble then ruptures, leaving solid foam only where the bubbles touch each other. This contact ...

6.Foam Board Insulation - R Values and Types - Home …

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7.Why R-value is Important for Foam Board Insulation.

Url:https://buildwithhalo.com/building-science-and-codes/why-r-value-is-important-for-foam-board-insulation/

8 hours ago Web · A popular rigid insulation choice, XPS features an initial R-value of R-5 per inch. That said, the long term R-values of this foam board decline over time. For example, …

8.What is the R-Value of Spray Foam Insulation?

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26 hours ago Web · Open cell spray foam insulation is R-3.6 to R-3.9 per inch. This R-Value is normal for open cell spray foam. Closed cell spray foam insulation is R-6 to R-7 per inch. …

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