Highest R Value Insulation For Exterior Walls

Best insulation for 2x4 and 2x6 wall studs.

Highest r value insulation for exterior walls. Use r 19 or r 21 kraft faced fiberglass insulation for two by six 2x6 walls. The r value of insulation indicates how well it resists heat and according to home depot the higher the r value the greater the insulation performance what is the ideal r value for exterior walls. You can achieve better thermal performance in your attic by adding an additional layer of insulation. Fiberglass batts for standard 2 4 walls are now available in low medium and high density products that range from r 11 to r 15.

One inch thick rigid insulation can generally be attached to the outside of the structural sheathing without adding additional. In order to achieve the higher insulation r value of r 21 a different type of. Typically a higher insulation r rating means better climate control and better energy efficiency for your home. If your exterior walls are constructed from 2 by 4 inch studs the most insulation that can go into the wall while retaining its r value is r 13 or r 15 as these are both made to fit a cavity 3 1 2 inches deep.

While wall insulation is limited by the width of the studs different materials provide higher or lower r values. Install sufficient exterior rigid insulation on a single frame wall to achieve the necessary insulating value. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. Insulation level are specified by r value.

A higher insulation r value usually means a higher price point as well. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. For every type and material of insulation check the r value per inch of thickness that the manufacturer has listed. R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.

Fiberglass vats are the standard insulator for 2 inch by 4 inch wall framing and are rated r 11 through r 15. 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. Home depot provides a map of the u s. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.

That indicates which value is best for each region. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost effective for different climates and. There are three methods of wall construction that lend themselves to high r walls at the least cost.