Cheapest Insulation Per R Value

But with that said here are some general guidelines.

Cheapest insulation per r value.

Expanded polystyrene insulation is similar to the foam used for packing peanuts and it s typically used for insulated concrete forms also knows as icf s. That would be a helpful factor in determining how much more you should add. Here are some currently available high r building insulation products as well as some specialty very high r insulation materials. Opt for the closed cell variety if you need an air barrier vapor barrier and efficient insulation in the least amount of space possible.

Denim is also available in a loose fill insulation. It provides r values that range from 3 6 to 4 2 per inch. Best insulation r value per dollar. This product typically has an r value of 3 6 to 4 0 per inch of thickness.

Each type comes with unique advantages. For example if you have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed in your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. 3 1 2 insulation r 11 5 1 2 r 19 etc. These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation.

Denim insulation costs anywhere from 20 percent more to three times the cost of other insulators for the same r value. The material is costly and fragile factors that have limited its use in residential construction. The best places to insulate will always be the areas where the most heat per square foot is leaving in the heating season or entering in the cooling season. It has an r value of 6 7 and covers 5 3 square feet.

Consider spray foam anywhere you need an air barrier as well as insulation. Aerogel has an r value of about r 10 per inch is 99 air and insulates up to 37 times higher r value than fiberglass. Open cell spray foam is rated at about r 3 5 per inch while closed cell spray foam is much more efficient at r 6 0 to r 6 5 per inch. Home depot sells a roll of 16 inch by 48 inch denim batt for 11 20.

For example a wall with 3 fiberglass batting r value of 10 8. Notes to the table above. Notes on the r value k values of different forms of asbestos. The way a home or business building is insulated has a huge impact on the heat loss gain.

In comparison an inch of blown fiberglass insulation has an r value of 3 1 3 4 and an inch of blown cellulose in an attic has an r value of 3 2 3 7. Standard fiberglass blanket insulation adds between 3 2 to 3 4 r per inch. We don t know what you have now r value or type. Products with a higher r value have a higher cost but have an increased capacity to resist heat flow and therefore provide greater insulation.

Also called styrofoam insulation this is the least expensive material. Along with knowing the r value of a particular insulation it is also important to calculate the r value of a total system. Stop the largest losses leaks first.