Cellulose Attic Insulation R Value

There are many ways to retrofit a home with fiberglass and.

Cellulose attic insulation r value.

Once the current r value is estimated check the recommended r value based on the region of the country. 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. Where you live different climates require different insulation r values.

With blown in cellulose insulation that would require insulation to a depth of 10 inches. Use this calculator to estimate r value for your space. Cellulose retains more of its r value through a wider range of temperatures compared to fiberglass. As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1.

The higher the r value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. 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. 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.

The common denominator among varieties of insulation is the r value. When adding insulation r value is one of the first considerations. You will need a higher r value of insulation if you live in the northeast than if you live in southern california. So for example a home in kansas is recommended to have a minimum r38 for attic insulation.

Square feet of house or area to be insulated current and desired r value for insulation and type and cost of your energy. 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. 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.

When tested at 110 cellulose will retain 97 of the listed r value while fiberglass loses 12 or more. Cellulose has an r value of 3 5 3 7 per inch where fiberglass has around 2 1 2 7 r per inch. Your home s age if your home is more than 10 year old you likely need more insulation.