Table of Characteristics of Various Insulating Materials: fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, foam insulating board, UFFI, vermiculite, others

Because no amount of insulation can keep a drafty building warm, also review ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES. See BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION for a discussion of measuring air leakage in buildings. Also see HEAT LOSS INDICATORS (where is the building losing heat during the heating season, or gaining un-wanted heat during the cooling season), and see HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION for a guide to calculating heat loss (or gain) rates for buildings and building insulation.

Table of Insulation & Other Building Material Properties Insulation or other Building Material 9 R-Value1 Density2 Perm3 Absorption4 Flame Spread
5

Smoke6

Toxicity7

Aging Effects Need citation, does not consider internal convection effects

Air, 3/4" Air Krete26 also see Concrete, Insulating, below

0.87 0.1457 in/sec coefficient, or 0.3407 in/sec flow rate at 68 degF H2O27

3.9

2.07 lbs/cuFt26

26

26

no

Cementious foam insulation, fireproof, non-toxic, nonshrinking, also used for acoustical sound proofing; MgO cement (Magnesium Oxide); 6 mil poly vapor barrier required

Balsam Wool insulation Brick Brick facing, 1" Building paper, red rosin paper Cardboard as insulation Ceiling Panels, suspended or drop ceilings

2 - 3.5 0.218 0.11 0.06 3 - 421

Spills out of wall or roof insulation if facing is cut See Brick Nogging. [Need citation] [Need citation]

varies widely by material 0.4 - 6 See CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL

Cellulose Insulation R-Values by type Cellulose insulation loose fill Cellulose insulation, spray-on (wet spray) Cementious Foam Cement asbestos wall shingles 3.1 - 3.820,24 2.8 - 3.520,24 0.35 - 0.6921 0.03 [Need citation] 2.2-3.0 High 5-20% 15-40 0-45 CO 0-20% settlement, corrodes metal, mold resistant

Concrete Insulating R-values by type Concrete, uninsulated Concrete-insulated 0.0818 - 0.312517 0.85 - 1.2 12-88 Varies Varies 0 0 0 Typical residential weight concrete 8" wall = R 2.5 Insulated forms available

Concrete, air entrained Air Krete26 also ThermalKrete and similar air-entraned MgO Products

3.9021 0.1457 in/sec coefficient, or 0.3407 in/sec flow rate at 68 degF H2O27 Cementious foam insulation, fireproof, non-toxic, nonshrinking, also used for acoustical sound proofing; MgO cement (Magnesium Oxide); 6 mil poly vapor barrier required

3.90

26

2.07 lbs/cuFt26

26

26

no

Concrete block, 4-inch hollow core Concrete block, 8-inch hollow core Concrete block, 12-inch hollow core Concrete block, lightweight 8inch

1.11

[need citation]

1.70

[need citation]

1.90

[need citation]

2.2

Carpeting with fiber padding Carpeting with foam padding

2.08 1.23

[need citation] [need citation]

Cotton Insulation R-Values by type Cotton insulation Cotton Batts 0.5 3.722 .25-10 "blue jean" insulation batts fireproofed with boric acid

Dirt or Soil

0.25 - 1 0.80 typical at 20% moisture 0.45 0.56 2.8 1.14

Depends on soil properties: density, moisture content, moisture movement See R-Value of Earth [need citation] [need citation] Questionable data, Some sources claim 2.64 Highly questionable [need citation]

Drywall, 1/2-inch Drywall, 3/4-inch Fiberboard insulating boards Fibergoard nail base, 1/2-inch

Fiberglass Insulation R-Values by type Fiberglass chopped, loose fill Fiberglass chopped/blown insulation 2.5 - 3.720 3.6 - 4.4 100 Fumes from paper, binders 6" = about R-22. Installers say expanding fiberglass assists in sealing air leaks May collect debris/allergens/mold Also see INSULATION CHOICES

Fiberglass batt insulation

3.1 - 4.320

.6 - 1.2

100

1%

15-20

0-20

Fiberglass, batts, hight density Fiberglass panel, rigid (fiberglass "boards") Fiberglass, spray-on

3.6 - 521 2.521 3.7 - 2.920

e.g. used in HVAC ductwork or air handlers.

Flooring, sheet resilient floors, linoleum, or tiles

0.05

[Need citation]

Glass Gypsum board HomeFoam25

0.1418 0.6 Drywall Insulthane 100, See Plastic, foamed insulation below Home Foam? should not be installed within 2" / 50mm of heat emitting devices producing temperatures in excess of 200deg.

3.921 Spray or pour Icynene Foam Insulation R-Values Icynene Foam-poured insulation or pour fill insulation Icynene Foam-sprayed insulation 3.6 - 3.7 23

0.51 lbs/ft3

423

.5-2 10

low

low

low

Fire safety: may not be left exposed in living area; very good air bypass leak sealing properties

.5-2 10

low

low

low

Fire safety: may not be left exposed in living area; very good air bypass leak sealing properties

Mineral Wool insulation (Rock Wool) Perlite insulation

3.2 - 3.720 2.5 - 3.720

1.5-2.5 2-11

100 High

2% 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

May collect debris/allergens/mold

Plywood, A/C

1.4

Questionable, [need citation]

Phenolic Foam Insulation R-Values Phenolic foam spray insulation Phenolic foam insulation Phenolic rigid panel 4.8 - 721 8.3 4.4 - 8.220 4 - 521

Corrosion problems when in contact with steel roofing & moisture; very good air bypass leak sealing properties

Plaster, 1/2" lightweight

0.32

[Need citation]

Water-blown Plastic, foamed: Home Foam25 low-density 3.921 0.51 lbs/ft3 Unidentified ingredients 25 Spray or pour application see HomeFoam above. Polyethylene foam 321

Polyisocyanurate Foam Insulation R-Values 4.3 - 8.321 Polyisocyanurate spray, poured, or board insulation 5.5 - 6.2 to 7.04 - 8.0 6.821 - initial, pentane expanded 5.521 - aged 5 to 10 years 2 2-3 0 25 55-200 CO Closed cell, HCFC or CFC gases; 0-12% shrinkage, Fire safety: may not be left exposed in living area; thermal drift with aging; foil faced improves performance to R7-8.; very good air bypass leak sealing properties Also see INSULATION CHOICES

Polyisocyanurate foam board, foil faced

Rigid panel insulation board with foil facing both sides, edges exposed

Closed cell Polyisocyanurate composite insulation 2.8 (5.8-6.2) 2.0 2-3 Foil faced21 See POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM INSULATION Polystyrene Foam Insulation R-Values Polystyrene peanuts for building insulation Polystyrene loose fill beads for building or window-wall insulation Polystyrene board or beadboard 8 MEPS insulation molded EPS low density Polystyrene Expanded (EPS) insulation low-density Polystyrene board, extruded expanded high-density (XPS) Molded not recommended 5-25+ 10-400 Not recommended for building insulation, may be serious fires hazard.

2.3

5-25+

10-400

Static charge makes particles hard to control

3.6 - 5.0 0.8-2.0 3.8521 3.85 3.9 - 4.420 3.6 - 4.721 5 - 5.421 4.221 1.2-3.0 0.7-4% 5-25 10-400 CO

Degrades in sunlight (UV); R-value varies by board density Also see INSULATION CHOICES

See POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION Also see INSULATION CHOICES

Closed cell Polystyrene board 5 1.5 1.2-3.0 See POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION Polyisocyanurate / Polyurethane Foam Insulation R-Values Polyisocyanurate / Polyurethane Polyurethane spray - closed cell foam insulation. Thanks to Thanks to Andrew Cole for correcting our data on this product. 5.6 - 7.020 5.0 - 6.8 5.5 - 6.5
21

2.0

2-3

30-50

155200

CO

Initial 7.14 Aged 6.8 7-821 - Initial 6.25 - aged 5 to 10 years 6.821 - Initial 5.5 - aged 5 to 10 years 3.621 - 7 (est)

Closed cell; 0-12% shrinkage, Fire safety: may not be left exposed in living area. Initial R of 7.14 declines to 6.8 after several months of curing; very good air bypass leak sealing properties

Polyurethane foam insulation rigid panels

CHC/HCFC expanded foam

Polyurethane foam insulation rigid panels

Pentane expanded foam

Polyurethane spray insulation - open cell insulation

Expands & seals more than closed-cell; lower cost; pourable-version available for building retrofit; See URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing

Reflective insulation Rock Wool Batts

2 - 1720

Need details of products in this range

3 - 3.8520 Slag wool Batts Rock Wool, Slag wool Loose Fill insulation R-value Roofing: Asphalt shingles Roofing: built-up 3/8" thick plies Roofing: wood shingles Silica Aerogel Snow Straw Bale Stucco, conventional plaster/cement 2.5 - 3.720 0.44 0.33

See Mineral Wool

0.94 10 1 1.45 0.20

[Need citation; wood shingles on walls - see below at "wood"]

STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION

Tectum insulated roof panels Thinsulate Vacuum Powder Insulation Vacum powder insulated panels

2.0

Tectum: a patented cementitious wood fiber EPS-core insulating roof deck tile, plank, or panel of several thicknesses. Clothing insulation, not used in buildings

5.75 25 - 3020 20 - 10020 2.1319 - 3.0 2.10 - 3.720 0 (may contain asbestos)

U.S. DOE. Others cite R-30 - R-50.

Vermiculite insulation

4-10

High

May contain asbestos, virtually always installed as loosefill. Some sources cite R=2.08

Urea Formaldehyde UFFI Foam Insulation R-Values & Properties Urea Formaldehyde Foam Panels or in-wall spray 4 - 4.621 4.2 0.6-0.9 5.2521 4.5-100 18% 0-25 0-30 0 (may outgas formaldehyde) Formaldehyde outgassing concerns, especially new, possibly 1-4% shrinkage, Fire safety: may not be left exposed in living area; on aging, leaves significant air bypass leaks at shrinkage points

UFFI insulation (Urea Formaldehyde Foam)

Wood, Hardwood, Softwood Insulation R-Values 1.01 - 1.41 (softwoods) 0.71 (hardwoods) 1.56 1.25 0.68 2.521

Wood R-Values Log wall R-Values vary16

The R-value of wood varies by wood density, species, moisture content.

Wood door, solid, per inch Wood, soft Wood Flooring, assume 3/4" hardwood Wood sheathing panels (Plywood,OSB) Wood shingle siding, single course Wood siding, 1/2-inch clapboard or shiplap

Varies by species, no authoritative source. Questionable, [need citation] [need citation]

[need citation]

0.87

[need citation]

0.81

[need citation]

Notes to the Table of Building Insulation Properties 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. R-Value is expressed as rate of heat loss per hour per square foot per inch of thickness of material per deg. F - see "R" value definition at Definitions of R K U values For some building materials (such as sheet flooring) we give an R-value for a specfic thickness other than the standard 1". Insulation density is expressed in pounds per cubic foot of material Permeability is expressed as the water vapor permeability of the material per inch of thickness. These numbers are most useful to compare one insulating material to another. Absorption is the tendency of the insulation to absorb water in percent by weight. This is important for assessing the risk of mold in some materials Flame Spread is a measure of fire resistance of the material. Use these numbers to compare one insulating material to another. Smoke is a measure of fire safety - that is, the relative amount of smoke produced if the insulation is exposed to flame or combustion Toxicity is a measure of fire safety - that is, toxins given off if the insulation is exposed to flame or combustion. Polystyrene may be in molded or extruded forms and like some other plastic or foam insulations may be in open or closed cell form. (Closed cell foams are more moisture resistant). Polystyrene also is referred to as molded expanded polystyrene (MEPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and extruded polystyrene (XPS) - the most common foam board insulation product. MEPS & XPS are used in insulated structural panels and in insulating concrete forms (ICFs). Links to details: Insulation product names in the first table column include links to articles that help identify and provide the properties of each insulating material listed. Open vs. closed cell: Foam insulation densities vary among closed-cell vs open cell forms. Open cell foams are typically about 1/2 lb/cubic foot; Closed cell foams are more dense and rigid, typically about 2 lb/cu. ft. C or Thermal conductance of these materials is the reciprocal of the R-value. C is known only when the k, the thermal conductivity of a material is known. k is the heat transmitted through a 1inch thickness of homogenous material per square foot per hour when there is 1 degree of temperature change. k= (BTU * inch) / sq.ft. * hour * degF. Air film: This table of R-values does not consider the insulating characteristic of the air film on each side of a surface nor the effects of wind on the air film or on the material itself. Some of these materials are more resistant to wind-caused heat transmission than others. Moisture: Closed cell foams resist moisture uptake (good) but if construction is improper they can trap moisture (bad) leading to rot or mold problems in other building materials. Insects: Exterior foam board on foundations can ease attack by wood destroying insects. Fire & smoke: Foam insulation products present fire-smoke hazards and usually they must be protected with a fire barrier (usually 1/2" drywall). R-Values for wooden log walls given by the U.S. DOE are in error except for square log walls. D-logs and round logs that are given a nominal log thickness, say 6" logs are calculated by DOE as having an R-value of just over 8. This is incorrect for non-square logs because the cross section of the log is 6" only at the log's widest point. A correct assessment of the R-value of a wooden log wall needs to be calculated based on the average wall thickness, considering the variation in thicknesses over the curvature of the logs. Therefore the DOE's value is on the "high" end of the R-value of a log wall. R-Values of uninsulated concrete: Concrete Homes Magazine web search 5/18/2010 R-Value for concrete, glass, other materials, Wikipedia web search 5/18/2010 citing Ristinen, Robert A., and Jack J. Kraushaar. Energy and the Environment. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006. E-Star Colorado. Energy Saving Calculations. Energy Living Alliance, 2008. Web 05/18/2010 U.S. Department of Energy, DOE Handbook, see http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/TableView.aspx?table=5.1.3 18 May 2010. The DOE in turn cited these sources o ASHRAE, 1997 ASHRAE Handbook: Fundamentals, p. 24-4, 22-5 o DOE, Insulation Fact Sheet, Jan. 1988, p. 6 o Journal of Thermal Insulation, 1987, p. 81-95 o ORNL, ORNL/SUB/88-SA835/1, 1990 o ORNL, Science and Technology for a Sustainable Energy Future, Mar. 1995, p. 17 o ORNL for vacuum insulation panel Wikipedia, web search 5/18/2010 R-Values per Inch EcoHaus UltraTouch cotton insulation batts batts http://www.ecohaus.com/C-121/ultratouch+batts Web search 5/18/2010 Icynene product information see http://www.icynene.com/icynene-insulation/ - Web search 5/18/2010 ICC Legacy Report ER-2833 - Cocoon Thermal and Sound Insulation Products, ICC Evaluation Services, Inc., Website: icc-es.org - Web search 5/18/2010 HomeFoam, Home Insulation Corp. - see http://www.homefoam.ca/articles/Why_HF.htm - Web search 5/18/2010 Home Foam does not contain formaldehyde, fibrous particulate, HFCs 1, CFCs2 or HCFCs3 and is a zero-ODP4 product. The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) advises that even sensitive individuals may take occupancy just 24 hours after application is complete. Air Krete, Air Krete Inc., P.O. Box 380, Weedsport NY 13166-0380 Keene Christopher, Principal Telephone: (315) 834- 6609, Retrieved 05 Dec 2010, AirKrete Green Insulation Specifications, original source: http://www.airkrete.com/ Specifications for AirKrete can be found at http://www.airkrete.com/pdf/072101specification.pdf AirKrete Water Permeability Coefficient, 03/02/2005, letter provided by AirKrete, retrieved 05 Dec 2010, original source: http://www.airkrete.com/testResults_files/PermRating.pdf

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

17. 18. 19. 20.

21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

26. 27. Loop