Rigid Foam Insulation R Value
Rigid foam r values range from r 1 for 1 4 inch thick sheathing panels to r 15 for 3 inch thick panels.
Rigid foam insulation r value. Dow styrofoam insulation blue board dow styrofoam insulation blue board is a nonstructural rigid board insulation manufactured of extruded polystyrene foam xps. Products provide superior insulating properties. Fiberglass insulation packs in more r value per cubic inch than rigid foam insulation does. The r value of eps ranges from about r 3 6 to r 4 2 per inch.
These foam types have similar but somewhat different applications. Xps is rated at r 5 per inch. This material costs less than other rigid foam boards but still offers an r value of. When it comes to insulation performance the difference is in the details.
Falls in the middle of the three types of rigid foam insulation in both cost and r value used most in walls or below grade applications recyclable and at about r 5 per inch costs around 42 per sq. Eps has the lowest average r value of the three most common types of rigid foam insulation around r 4 per inch. Eps is suitable for ground contact and can be treated to resist insects. Expanded polystyrene insulation is similar to the foam used for packing peanuts and it s typically used for insulated concrete forms also knows as icf s.
It also is the least expensive. With premium polyiso manufacturing atlas is able to produce the highest effective r values with minimal material thickness. All products in the acfoam polyiso roof insulation family are closed cell rigid foam insulation board flat or tapered. Expanded polystyrene foam eps is the cheapest and least used foam board product on the market.
Note from this chart that the ideal r value differs for each part of your home. 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 your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. Blue board can be used both on exterior and interior walls to give you a continuous insulation barrier that can increase effective r value of the wall by up to 20. For a 1 in thick 4 8 panel comes unfaced or with a number of different plastic facings.
This product typically has an r value of 3 6 to 4 0 per inch of thickness.