You hear the term “R-Value”, but you’re not quite sure what that means. That’s okay, because we’re going to break down what R-Value means, and why that’s important for your insulation purchasing decisions.
From a technical definition, R-Value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through any given thickness of material. The higher the R-Value, the greater the resistance. This means the escape velocity of heat within an insulated environment. Where the insulation material has a high R-Value, is going to be significantly low. This means more heat will be retained within an environment with a high R-Value insulation material.
Does the R-Value really matter?
Now why does that matter? Why should anyone care about whether or not heat escapes from an environment? Well, it matters, because if this is, say, your home, you want to use your HVAC heating system as little as possible. Because that means you’re spending less and less on your energy bill. Heating and cooling are the largest part of most Oregon energy bills. So the higher the R-Value of your insulation, the more money you’ll save on your energy bill. Because less heat will escape your home, which means you’ll be using your heating & cooling HVAC system less and less. These savings add up each month, and compound every year.
Spray foam insulation has one of the highest R-Values of any insulation type. With an R-Value clocking in at roughly R-6.0 to R-7.0 per inch depending on the product, (unlike Fiberglass, or Cellulose. Which only have an R-Value of 3.2 - 3.8 per inch) which provides the added benefits of savings from your energy bill. So if you’re hoping to save money, spray foam insulation is the way to go. Call today to learn more about how spray foam insulation can save you money, and add value to your home. Go Green. Go Foam.
Common Questions
Is a higher R-value always better?
Not on its own. R-value measures resistance to heat flow through the material, and it says nothing about air leakage or moisture. A high R-value with gaps in it performs worse in practice than a lower number that is continuous and air-sealed.
What is the R-value of closed-cell spray foam?
Roughly R-6.0 to R-7.0 per inch depending on the product, which is the highest of any commonly installed insulation. The installed value for an assembly depends on thickness and continuity, not just the per-inch figure.
Does R-value matter more than air sealing in Oregon?
Usually the other way round. Western Oregon has a long mild damp heating season rather than a short severe one, so a building that leaks air loses heat continuously for months. Sealing the envelope typically moves the bill more than adding depth.
Related: moisture-control thickness · closed-cell insulation
Also worth reading: open-cell and closed-cell compared, the building envelope.
Talk it through with an installer
Every building is different. Tell us about the property and we will give you a straight answer on what it needs.