Basement Insulation R Value

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

Basement insulation r value.

It provides about r 5 per inch. When insulating basement walls the required r value shall b e applie d from th e top of the basement w all to a depth of ten feet 3048 mm below grade or to the top of the basement floor whichever is less. It provides r values that range from 3 6 to 4 2 per inch. An unconditioned basement is defined as an unheated basement with no significant heat producing appliances or devices.

Recommended home insulation r values. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. R value measures how well certain building insulation materials can resist heat. However you can stop that by properly insulating it against all of the weather fluctuation outside.

Your basement can be notorious as the coldest room in your house. Know exactly how much you need with our project calculators. Basement walls require a minimum of either r 10 continuous or r 13 batted insulation. With the correct insulation your basement can stay warmer in the winter by keeping the cold from penetrating your basement walls and cooler in the summer by adding a layer.

Some products have reinforced facing to make them sturdier. The model energy code recommends r 11 insulating values for basement walls in most of the country and r 15 for the northernmost states. Understand r values the measurement of insulation s effectiveness or thermal resistance. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

When determining how much insulation you need don t guesstimate calculate. Also called styrofoam insulation this is the least expensive material. Insulation level are specified by r value. If structural sheathing covers 40 or less of the exterior continuous insulation r value shall be permitted to be reduced by no more than r 3 in the locations where structural sheathing is used to maintain a consistent total sheathing thickness.

Choose this option for areas that need a good amount of strength and water resistance. Extremely northern regions and high elevations are zone 5 requiring r 15 to r 19 values. Zones 3 and 4 include the midwest and northern regions requiring r 10 to r 19 values. Generally zones 1 and 2 cover the southern states which suggest no necessary values to r 10 for basement walls.