Desired R Value For Attic
R value is a measure of insulation s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
Desired r value for attic. Of inches to determine your existing r value. These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation. Subtract that amount from the desired r value for your home s zone to. Your home s age if your home is more than 10 year old you likely need more insulation.
R values help homeowners decide which type of insulation material to use and in what thickness. You will need a higher r value of insulation if you live in the northeast than if you live in southern california. An r value is a measure of a given material s. Insulation level are specified by r value.
Per bag 18 4 bags an additional 19 bags of insulation would therefore achieve an r value of 60. How to calculate existing r value in an attic. Instructions on the product where current r value is listed will guide you through estimating the number of packages to buy based on the number of square feet you re insulating and the desired r value. There are many ways to retrofit a home with fiberglass and.
This effect is most important if the new insulation is more dense than the old insulation. Add your depth or thickness measurements and multiply by the estimated r value shown in the right column. Determining your attic insulation needs. You may choose to do it yourself or hire a contractor.
Be sure to carefully follow the installation instructions to get the desired insulation r value. Once determined subtract the current r value from your desired r value to get the r value you need to add. If the 1000 square foot attic previously had 9 inches r 24 of insulation and an r value of 60 is desired an additional 13 25 inches r36 of insulation would be required. Calculate the square footage of the attic you re insulating.
Recommended home insulation r values. You can compensate for this stacking effect and achieve the desired total r value by adding about one extra inch of insulation if the old insulation is fiber glass or about 1 2 inch if the old insulation is rock wool or cellulose. Where you live different climates require different insulation r values. This zone s recommended r value for an uninsulated attic is r30 to r60.
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.