PEARLAND Blog

What to Know About Your Insulation’s R-Value

What is R-Value?

When it comes to understanding the importance of your insulation’s R-value, knowing the basics of the material itself is crucial first. The primary function of the insulation in a building is to reduce irregular temperatures and improve climate control. Material installed throughout your home accomplishes this by reducing the movement of heat in and out of the structure, which is also known as heat transfer. If the insulation throughout the house becomes deteriorated, damaged, or poorly installed, you’re more likely to experience irregular temperatures, uncomfortable drafts, and cold spots in your home.

Short for “resistance value”, the R-value of insulation is the numerical measure of a material’s ability to reduce the rate of heat transfer. When the insulation has a higher R-value, this generally means that the material can more effectively reduce the movement of heat in and out of a structure. When insulation deteriorates or gets damaged, it reduces the R-value. You may be able to tell that your R-value has deteriorated based on a few of these warning signs:

• One room or a side of the house that is cooler or hotter than the rest of the house
• Drafts or cold spots
• Poor indoor air quality
• Higher energy bills and maintenance fees

In order to help maintain the comfort and safety of your home, it’s important to be able to recognize these signs and take action as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it’s common for many homeowners to simply write off these conditions as a typical change of the season. This can lead them to suffer through discomfort and even extreme temperatures. Instead of ignoring the signs of deterioration, regularly evaluate and update the insulation and air sealing of the house.

Choosing the Right Insulation and R-Value

Here’s a quick insulation fact:

• Each type of insulation has its own R-value!

The R-value can differ based on what kind of material you choose, what type of insulation, how much is installed, and other factors. In most cases, a higher R-value means the insulation is more effective at reducing the rate at which heat moves through a structure, which is called heat transfer. However, while it's true that fewer materials may be used when you install a material with a higher R-value, insulation types with lower R-values shouldn't be written off immediately as a worse product.

On the contrary, most insulation materials have their own advantages that may be better suited for the needs of your home. When making a decision, all of these factors should be taken into account alongside the material's R-value. For example, with an average of R-6.9 per inch, closed-cell spray foam has one of the highest R-values. This material is most effective when applied to walls, in between ceiling joists, and even on the roof of some buildings.

However, this isn't always the first choice for homeowners and it won't be as effective in every space that needs updated material. The floor of your attic, for instance, would benefit much more from insulation such as blown-in cellulose. Even though it has an average of R-3.4 per inch, blown-in material gets into the small cracks and crevices that may allow for air leaks, pest infestation, and moisture. This material is also treated with boric acid during production, which gives it antifungal properties and kills insects that digest the material.

For more information on the different types of insulation materials and their benefits, check out our article How To Choose Insulation.

Evaluating Your R-Value Requirements

When your insulation gets older or damaged, it deteriorates. This means the R-value is reduced over time, leading the material to be less efficient. While there are a few insulation materials that may last up to 15 years, there are many variables that can increase the rate of deterioration to significantly reduce this lifespan. One of the most common culprits of insulation degradation is exposure to moisture from leaks in the roof or foundation.

Regularly evaluating the material with help from your local insulation professionals can help to locate deteriorated and damaged insulation before it can put your household's safety and air quality at risk. When the insulation and air sealing in the house are regularly inspected and updated, you can drastically improve your environment. At Koala Insulation of Pearland, our industry experts can help you and your household determine which insulation materials have the best properties that meet the needs of your home.

When we locate material throughout the house that may need to be removed and replaced, our team can also check to be sure the material in the area isn’t affected by other problems such as mold, moisture, and pests. Koala Insulation has a thorough process to remove poor material, clean and prepare the space, and add new material to restore the appropriate R-value.

How Your Home’s Needs Impact R-Value Requirements

Having a better understanding of the different advantages each insulation material can provide is important in order to cater to your home’s unique environment. The needs of a structure are impacted by a number of factors, taking into account everything from your climate zone to any regular household habits. Every area of the house that needs insulation will also have different needs, which means there isn’t necessarily a “one size fits all” solution for each home.

This is why calculating the right R-value for your area is so important. Finding the required R-value isn’t necessarily a simple project when it comes to understanding the levels that will best support your comfort and safety. While there are regional guidelines and even recommendations from industry leaders like the Department of Energy, these don't always provide the specialization that you would receive from an in-depth evaluation of your personal environment.

During the initial construction of your home, the basic requirements of the area were evaluated and met by an industry professional, filling the space per building codes. Industry regulations, regional standards, climate conditions, and national recommendations were all taken into account during this process. Every room in a house can have different R-value needs, including within the walls and under crawl spaces. Having the help of an insulation technician can provide the necessary insight to evaluate the current conditioning of your home before getting started on any projects. The perspective of an experienced professional can help educate you and your household on the importance of insulation and air sealing. It could even end up saving you money by preventing mistakes during the installation!

Learn More About Your Home’s Insulation with Industry Experts

Koala Insulation of Pearland is dedicated to improving the environment of our community by introducing quality insulation service and education to our neighbors. We offer free evaluations that can provide you and your household with a breakdown of your home’s current condition in terms of insulation and air sealing. With advice on cost-effective and energy-efficient material, we can help you and your household make informed decisions that take into account both your current schedule and budget. If you’re interested in learning more about how updated insulation and air sealing can impact your environment, contact Koala Insulation of Pearland today and schedule your free evaluation.