List of insulation materials explained

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 thickness and sorts by median value of the range.

MaterialThicknessR-valueR-value at 1 m
(m2·K/W)
(cm)(in)data-sort-type="number" (m2·K/W)data-sort-type="number" (ft2·°F·h/BTU)
Vacuum insulated panel2.54 15.28–
Silica aerogel2.54 11.76m (05.77feet)
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) initial2.54 11.23–
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) aged 5–10 years2.54 11.1m (03.6feet)
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial2.54 11.2m (03.9feet)
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years2.54 10.97m (03.18feet)
Foil-faced polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded)2.54 145- 45–48 [1]
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial2.54 155
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years2.54 10.97m (03.18feet)
Polyisocyanurate spray foam2.54 10.76–
Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam2.54 10.97–
Phenolic spray foam2.54 10.85–
Thinsulate clothing insulation[2] 2.54 10.28–
Urea-formaldehyde panels2.54 10.88–
Drywall[3] 2.54 10.158m (00.518feet)
Urea foam[4] 2.54 10.924m (03.031feet)
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) high-density2.54 126–40
Polystyrene board2.54 10.88m (02.89feet)
Phenolic rigid panel2.54 10.7–
Urea-formaldehyde foam2.54 10.7–
High-density fiberglass batts2.54 10.63–
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) low-density2.54 10.63–
Icynene loose-fill (pour-fill)2.54 10.7m (02.3feet)
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) high-density2.54 122–32
Rice hulls[5] 2.54 124
Fiberglass batts[6] 2.54 10.55–
Cotton batts (blue jean insulation)[7] [8] 2.54 10.65m (02.13feet)
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) low-density2.54 10.65m (02.13feet)
Sheep's wool batt[9] 2.54 10.65m (02.13feet)
Icynene spray[10] [11] 2.54 10.63m (02.07feet)
Open-cell polyurethane spray foam2.54 10.63m (02.07feet)
Cardboard2.54 10.52–
Rock and slag wool batts2.54 10.52–
Cellulose loose-fill[12] 2.54 10.52–
Cellulose wet-spray2.54 10.52–
Rock and slag wool loose-fill[13] 2.54 10.44–
Fiberglass loose-fill2.54 10.44–
Polyethylene foam2.54 10.52m (01.71feet)
Cementitious foam2.54 10.35–
Perlite loose-fill2.54 10.48m (01.57feet)
Wood panels, such as sheathing2.54 1
Fiberglass rigid panel2.54 10.44m (01.44feet)
Vermiculite loose-fill2.54 10.38–
Vermiculite[14] 2.54 116–17
Straw bale[15] 2.54 116–22
Papercrete[16] 2.54 1
Softwood (most)[17] 2.54 17.7
Wood chips and other loose-fill wood products2.54 10.18m (00.59feet)
Aerated/cellular concrete (5% moisture)2.54 10.18m (00.59feet)
Snow2.54 10.18m (00.59feet)
Hardwood (most)2.54 15.5
Brick2.54 11.3–1.8[18]
Glass2.54 10.025m (00.082feet)
Uninsulated glass pane0.6 0.250.16 0.91 0.025m (00.082feet)
Insulated glass (double glazed)1.6–1.9 0.63–0.750.35 2 40
Insulated glass (double glazed, hard low-e)1.6–1.9 0.63–0.750.67 3.8 77
Insulated glass (double glazed, soft low-e)1.6–1.9 0.63–0.750.90 5.11 100
Insulated glass (triple glazed)3.2–3.8 1.2–1.50.67 3.8 40
Poured concrete2.54 10.43–0.87
MaterialThicknessR-valueR-value at 1 m
(m2·K/W)
(cm)(in)data-sort-type="number" (m2·K/W)data-sort-type="number" (ft2·°F·h/BTU)

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Energy Saving Trust . CE71 – Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings . Energysavingtrust.org.uk. 2014-02-23 .
  2. Web site: Archived copy . 2014-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021092432/http://www.indapac.com/docs/3M_Thin_TypeG.pdf . 2014-10-21 . dead .
  3. Web site: R-Value Table, Insulation Values For Selected Materials . coloradoenergy.org.
  4. Ristinen, Robert A., and Jack J. Kraushaar. Energy and the Environment. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.
  5. Web site: Rice hulls in construction – Appropedia: The sustainability wiki . Appropedia . 2013-02-23 . 2014-02-23.
  6. Web site: Products | Johns Manville Insulation . Jminsulation.com.au . 2014-02-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140226024315/http://www.jminsulation.com.au/products/ . 2014-02-26 . dead .
  7. Web site: Green Building Materials, Green Products . Greendepot.com. 24 February 2019.
  8. Web site: What is Green Living? . May 8, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080929071138/http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=COTTON_INSULATION . September 29, 2008 .
  9. Web site: sheep's wool specifications.
  10. Web site: The Icynene Insulation System . June 12, 2008 . August 9, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080612090032/http://www.icynene.com/InsulationSystem.aspx . June 12, 2008.
  11. Web site: Portfolio of Spray Foam Insulation Products | Icynene . 2014-07-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140723231959/http://www.icynene.com/portfolio-spray-foam-insulation-products . 2014-07-23 . dead .
  12. Web site: ICC Legacy Report ER-2833 – Cocoon Thermal and Sound Insulation Products. ICC Evaluation Services, Inc.. 2014-02-23.
  13. Web site: Buildings Energy Data Book . Buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov . 2014-02-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140227114838/http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/TableView.aspx?table=5.1.3 . 2014-02-27 . dead .
  14. Web site: Evergreen Insulation - Types of insulation and R-Values. 27 July 2013. 27 August 2021.
  15. Web site: R-Value of Straw Bales Lower Than Previously Reported – EBN: 7:9 . Buildinggreen.com . September 1, 1998 . 2018-10-03 . registration.
  16. Web site: Papercrete Thermal Test Report (includes R-Value) . masongreenstar.com . 2014-07-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140707144021/http://masongreenstar.com/images/mason/media/Research_Report_Thermal_17p.pdf . 2014-07-07 . dead .
  17. Web site: Home Design & Remodeling | Department of Energy . Energysavers.gov . 2014-02-23.
  18. Web site: Brian Anderson . Conventions for U-value calculations . Bre.co.uk . 2006. 2014-02-23 .

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