This is a list of insulation materials used around the world.
Typical R-values are given for various materials and structures as approximations based on the average of available figures and are sorted by lowest value. R-value at 1 m gives R-values normalised to a 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) thickness and sorts by median value of the range.
Material | Thickness | R-value | R-value at 1 m (m2·K/W) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(cm) | (in) | (m2·K/W) | (ft2·°F·h/BTU) | ||
Vacuum insulated panel | 2.54 | 1 | 5.28–8.8 | 14–66[1] | 208–346 |
Silica aerogel | 2.54 | 1 | 1.76 | 10.3[2] | 69 |
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) initial | 2.54 | 1 | 1.23–1.41 | 7–8 | 48–56 |
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) aged 5–10 years | 2.54 | 1 | 1.10 | 6.25 | 43 |
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial | 2.54 | 1 | 1.20 | 6.8 | 47 |
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years | 2.54 | 1 | 0.97 | 5.5 | 38 |
Foil-faced polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) | 2.54 | 1 | 1.1–1.2 | 45–48 [3] | |
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial | 2.54 | 1 | 1.20 | 6.8 | 55 [3] |
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years | 2.54 | 1 | 0.97 | 5.5 | 38 |
Polyisocyanurate spray foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.76–1.46 | 4.3–8.3 | 30–57 |
Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.97–1.14 | 5.5–6.5 | 38–45 |
Phenolic spray foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.85–1.23 | 4.8–7 | 33–48 |
Thinsulate clothing insulation[4] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.28–0.51 | 1.6–2.9 | 11–20 |
Urea-formaldehyde panels | 2.54 | 1 | 0.88–1.06 | 5–6 | 35–42 |
Drywall[5] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.15 | .9 | 6.2 |
Urea foam[6] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.92 | 5.25 | 36.4 |
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) high-density | 2.54 | 1 | 0.88–0.95 | 5–5.4 | 26–40[3] |
Polystyrene board[6] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.88 | 5.00 | 35 |
Phenolic rigid panel | 2.54 | 1 | 0.70–0.88 | 4–5 | 28–35 |
Urea-formaldehyde foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.70–0.81 | 4–4.6 | 28–32 |
High-density fiberglass batts | 2.54 | 1 | 0.63–0.88 | 3.6–5 | 25–35 |
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) low-density | 2.54 | 1 | 0.63–0.82 | 3.6–4.7 | 25–32 |
Icynene loose-fill (pour-fill)[7] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.70 | 4 | 28 |
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) high-density | 2.54 | 1 | 0.70 | 4.2 | 22–32[3] |
Rice hulls[8] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.50 | 3.0 | 24 |
Fiberglass batts[9] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.55–0.76 | 3.1–4.3 | 22–30 |
Cotton batts (blue jean insulation)[10][11] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.65 | 3.7 | 26 |
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) low-density | 2.54 | 1 | 0.65 | 3.85 | 26 |
Sheep's wool batt[12] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.65 | 3.7 | 26 |
Icynene spray[7][13] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.63 | 3.6 | 25 |
Open-cell polyurethane spray foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.63 | 3.6 | 25 |
Cardboard | 2.54 | 1 | 0.52–0.7 | 3–4 | 20–28 |
Rock and slag wool batts | 2.54 | 1 | 0.52–0.68 | 3–3.85 | 20–27 |
Cellulose loose-fill[14] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.52–0.67 | 3–3.8 | 20–26 |
Cellulose wet-spray[14] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.52–0.67 | 3–3.8 | 20–26 |
Rock and slag wool loose-fill[15] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.44–0.65 | 2.5–3.7 | 17–26 |
Fiberglass loose-fill[15] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.44–0.65 | 2.5–3.7 | 17–26 |
Polyethylene foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.52 | 3 | 20 |
Cementitious foam | 2.54 | 1 | 0.35–0.69 | 2–3.9 | 14–27 |
Perlite loose-fill | 2.54 | 1 | 0.48 | 2.7 | 19 |
Wood panels, such as sheathing | 2.54 | 1 | 0.44 | 2.5 | 17 (9[16]) |
Fiberglass rigid panel | 2.54 | 1 | 0.44 | 2.5 | 17 |
Vermiculite loose-fill | 2.54 | 1 | 0.38–0.42 | 2.13–2.4 | 15–17 |
Vermiculite[17] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.38 | 2.13 | 16–17[3] |
Straw bale[18] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.26 | 1.45 | 16–22[3] |
Papercrete[19] | 2.54 | 1 | 2.6–3.2 | 18–22 | |
Softwood (most)[20] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.25 | 1.41 | 7.7 [16] |
Wood chips and other loose-fill wood products | 2.54 | 1 | 0.18 | 1 | 7.1 |
Aerated/cellular concrete (5% moisture) | 2.54 | 1 | 0.18 | 1 | 7.1 |
Snow | 2.54 | 1 | 0.18 | 1 | 7.1 |
Hardwood (most)[20] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.12 | 0.71 | 5.5 [16] |
Brick | 2.54 | 1 | 0.030 | 0.2 | 1.3–1.8[16] |
Glass[6] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.025 | 0.14 | 0.98 |
Uninsulated glass pane | 0.6 | 0.25 | 0.16 | 0.91 | 0.98 |
Insulated glass (double glazed) | 1.6–1.9 | 0.63–0.75 | 0.35 | 2 | 40 |
Insulated glass (double glazed, hard low-e) | 1.6–1.9 | 0.63–0.75 | 0.67 | 3.8 | 77 |
Insulated glass (double glazed, soft low-e) | 1.6–1.9 | 0.63–0.75 | 0.90 | 5.11 | 100 |
Insulated glass (triple glazed) | 3.2–3.8 | 1.2–1.5 | 0.67 | 3.8 | 40 |
Poured concrete[6] | 2.54 | 1 | 0.014 | 0.08 | 0.43–0.87 [16] |
Material | Thickness | R-value | R-value at 1 m (m2·K/W) | ||
(cm) | (in) | (m2·K/W) | (ft2·°F·h/BTU) |
References
edit- ^ "Panasonic U-Vacua Vacuum Insulation Panels". b2b-api.panasonic.eu. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Spaceloft Insulation Data Sheet" (PDF). starch.dk. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Energy Saving Trust. "CE71 – Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings". Energysavingtrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "R-Value Table, Insulation Values For Selected Materials". coloradoenergy.org.
- ^ a b c d Ristinen, Robert A., and Jack J. Kraushaar. Energy and the Environment. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.
- ^ a b "The Icynene Insulation System". June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
- ^ "Rice hulls in construction – Appropedia: The sustainability wiki". Appropedia. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
- ^ "Products | Johns Manville Insulation". Jminsulation.com.au. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
- ^ "Green Building Materials, Green Products". Greendepot.com. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- ^ "What is Green Living?". Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
- ^ "sheep's wool specifications" (PDF).
- ^ "Portfolio of Spray Foam Insulation Products | Icynene". Archived from the original on 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
- ^ a b "ICC Legacy Report ER-2833 – Cocoon Thermal and Sound Insulation Products". ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
- ^ a b "Buildings Energy Data Book". Buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
- ^ a b c d e Brian Anderson (2006). "Conventions for U-value calculations" (PDF). Bre.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
- ^ "Evergreen Insulation - Types of insulation and R-Values". 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ "R-Value of Straw Bales Lower Than Previously Reported – EBN: 7:9". Buildinggreen.com. September 1, 1998. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
- ^ "Papercrete Thermal Test Report (includes R-Value)" (PDF). masongreenstar.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
- ^ a b "Home Design & Remodeling | Department of Energy". Energysavers.gov. Retrieved 2014-02-23.