MICHIANA Blog

What is a Good R-Value

What Is A Good R-Value For Exterior Walls?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about your exterior walls. You may know that they provide shelter and keep the weather out, but what else do they do? Your exterior walls also play an important role in your home’s insulation. The R-Value of a wall is a measure of how well it insulates your home. In this article, we will discuss what the R-Value is and how you can make sure your exterior walls have a good one!

What Does R-Value Mean?

The R-Value of a wall refers to its resistance to heat flow. The higher the value, the better it is at keeping hot and cold air in or out. Good insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and cool and dry in the summer. It also reduces energy costs, because it takes less energy to maintain a constant temperature inside when there’s good insulation on the exterior walls.

The R-Value Can Change Throughout Your Home

The R-Value of your exterior walls can vary from room to room. Different materials, like wood and brick, have different insulation properties. Even the same material can be more or less insulated depending on where it is in your home and the climate you live in. For example, north-facing walls tend to lose heat faster than south-facing walls do.

The Geographical Location Of Your House Can Affect Your R-Value

The R-Value of your walls can also vary depending on the climate you live in. In colder climates, you’ll need a higher R-Value to keep out the cold air. The same goes for hotter climates — they require a higher R-Value to keep out the heat.

Why Is Insulation So Necessary?

Insulation is essential to keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient. Good insulation will keep the temperature inside your house from fluctuating too much, reducing the amount of energy used for heating and cooling. Insulating your exterior walls is also important for noise reduction — it helps keep out external noises like traffic or construction sounds.

The Geographical Location Of Your House Can Affect Your R-Value

The R-Value of your walls can also vary depending on the climate you live in. In colder climates, you’ll need a higher R-Value to keep out the cold air. The same goes for hotter climates — they require a higher R-Value to keep out the heat.

Ways Of Transferring Heat Through Exterior Walls

Heat can transfer through exterior walls in three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the direct transfer of heat energy through solid materials like metal or wood. Convection is the transfer of heat through air currents or liquids. And finally, radiation is the transfer of heat via infrared waves. Good insulation helps to minimize all three types of heat transfer.

Which Other Exterior Parts Of The Home Need To Be Addressed?

Windows

Good insulation can also be important for windows. Many window frames are made of materials that don’t have great insulating properties, so investing in double- or triple-paned glass can help reduce heat loss through them.

Doors

Good insulation is also important for doors. Make sure your doors are well sealed and insulated to keep the temperature inside your home from fluctuating too much.

Roofs

Good insulation is also essential for roofs, especially if you live in a colder climate. Investing in good quality insulation materials and making sure the roof is properly sealed will help keep your home at the perfect temperature all year round.

Floors

Good insulation is also important for floors. Make sure the flooring material you choose has good insulation properties, and invest in good quality rugs or mats to reduce heat loss through them.

Foundations

Good insulation is also important for foundations. Investing in a good quality vapor barrier can help keep moisture out of the basement and reduce heat loss through them.

What's A Good R-Value?

The R-Value of your walls will depend on the climate you live in and the materials used. Generally, a good R-Value for exterior walls is between R-13 (for warmer climates) and R-19 (for colder climates). Make sure to consult with an expert before making any changes to your insulation system.

Conclusion

By understanding what the R-Value is and how it can vary from room to room, as well as by location and material, you can make sure your exterior walls are properly insulated. Good insulation helps keep your house comfortable, energy efficient, and quiet — all essential elements for a happy household! With this information in mind, you can now make informed decisions regarding the insulation of your exterior walls. Good luck!

Breakdown By R-Value

Batt Insulation

Batt insulation R-values, which measures the ability of the material to resist heat flow, range from 3.1 to 3.7 per inch; this means, for example, that a 3.5-inch thick batt will have an R-value of 15 and a. 8-inch thick batt will have one of 25.  Depending on where you live, you will want a higher or lower R-value. 

Spray Foam Insulation

The R-value per inch for spray foam varies, depending on whether or not one chooses open cell or closed cell, with closed offering the highest rating. For this type of insulation, it’s not just about the R-value, each type (open or closed) has its own properties that make it more — or less — effective. For example, those in a hot, dry climate are likely to use open-cell spray foam; but those who live in damper areas will want to pass since this type of insulation if more likely to trap moisture, risking mold, mildew, and structural damage. Closed-cell spray foam is more useful when it comes to vapor control.

Blow-In Insulation

The R-value for blown-in insulation ranges from 2.7 to 3.3 per inch, and depends on the material used as well as whether or not it is loose or dense packed. It should be noted that, while both blown-in and batts can be made with the same materials, the R-value depends on the density, meaning that blown-in fiberglass will have a lower R-value than fiberglass batts.

Save Money On Your Energy Bills This Winter!

If you’re like most people, you’re always looking for ways to save money on your energy bills. Heating and cooling your home can be a major expense, but it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways to reduce your energy costs is by installing insulation in your home. Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which can lead to significant savings on your energy bill.