Cellulose Attic Insulation R Value

Use this calculator to estimate r value for your space.

Cellulose attic insulation r value.

Use this insulation savings calculator to measure the financial impact of increasing your insulation performance. You will need a higher r value of insulation if you live in the northeast than if you live in southern california. 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. Enter your data into the fields where indicated.

R value is a measurement of thermal resistance and measures the ability of heat to transfer from one side of an object to another. Achieving greater r values in exterior walls. Where you live different climates require different insulation r values. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass.

Cellulose insulation comes from recycled newsprint where waste paper from nationwide landfills is taken through several industrial chemical processes to make it suitable for home insulation use. Loose fill cellulose insulation can settle around and conform to most of the obstructions found in walls and attics. As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1. Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch.

So for example a home in kansas is recommended to have a minimum r38 for attic insulation. Once the current r value is estimated check the recommended r value based on the region of the country. The r value of loose fill cellulose is r 3 2 3 8 per inch. When adding insulation r value is one of the first considerations.

There are many ways to retrofit a home with fiberglass and. Square feet of house or area to be insulated current and desired r value for insulation and type and cost of your energy. Average ratings the r value for cellulose insulation in an attic depends on several factors including the size shape and construction of your attic typical weather conditions where you live any. Loose fill cellulose is relatively inexpensive yet still has an r value of about 3 5 per inch of thickness compared to fiberglass r value between r3 to r4 per inch.

You can achieve better thermal performance in your attic by adding an additional layer of insulation. With blown in cellulose insulation that would require insulation to a depth of 10 inches. The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.