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R-Value Table

Insulation Values For Selected Materials

This table was put together from a variety of sources over a number of years starting in 1983.  I was working on the Energy Hotline for the state of Iowa at the time and put together a fact sheet on R-values.  I even made copies of some of the sources back then and still have them, but most do not have any indication on the copied pages as to who the source was.  The table has also been continually added to and updated over the years, so there no way to provide complete credit for the information.  Obviously, all the information in everyone's tables came from some research lab originally. I apologize to anyone whose information I may have borrowed without credit and will gladly add credit information when it is provided to me.

That being said, people are welcome to link to this table from their web sites, but they MAY NOT copy it and post it on any other web site without permission.

Use the R-value table below to help you determine the R-value of your wall or ceiling assemblies. To obtain a wall or ceiling assembly R-value you must add the r-values of the individual components together.  See the following example:

Calculating Assembly Wall R-Value*
Formula: Assembly R-value = 1 / (Assembly U-value) = 1 / (U-studs x % + U-cavity x %)

Component R-Value Studs R-Value Cavity Assembly R-Value
Wall - Outside Air Film (winter)

0.17

0.17

 
Siding - Wood Bevel 0.80 0.80  
Plywood Sheathing - 1/2" 0.63 0.63  
3 1/2" Fiberglass Batt   13.00  
3 1/2" Stud 4.38    
1/2" Drywall 0.45 0.45  
Inside Air Film 0.68 0.68  
Percent for 16" o.c. + Additional studs 25% 75%  
Total Wall Component R-Values 7.11 15.73  
Wall Component U-Values 0.1406 0.0636  
Total Wall Assembly R-Value     12.03

* This example is just for wood frame construction. Steel studs are a more complicated calculation.

R-Value Table - English (US) Units

Material R/
Inch
hr·ft2·°F/Btu
R/
Thickness
hr·ft2·°F/Btu
Insulation Materials
Fiberglass Batts 3.14-4.30  
   3 1/2" Fiberglass Batt   11.00
   3 5/8" Fiberglass Batt   13.00
   3 1/2" Fiberglass Batt (high density)   15.00
   6 1/2" Fiberglass Batt   19.00
   5 1/4" Fiberglass Batt (high density)   21.00
   8" Fiberglass Batt   25.00
   8" Fiberglass Batt (high density)   30.00
   9 1/2" Fiberglass Batt   30.00
   12" Fiberglass Batt   38.00
Fiberglass Blown (attic) 2.20-4.30  
Fiberglass Blown (wall) 3.70-4.30  
Rock Wool Batt 3.14-4.00  
Rock Wool Blown (attic) 3.10-4.00  
Rock Wool Blown (wall) 3.10-4.00  
Cellulose Blown (attic) 3.60-3.701  
Cellulose Blown (wall) 3.80-3.901  
Vermiculite 2.13  
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete 1.05  
Urea Terpolymer Foam 4.48  
Rigid Fiberglass (> 4lb/ft3) 4.00  
Expanded Polystyrene (beadboard) 4.00  
Extruded Polystyrene 5.00  
Polyurethane (foamed-in-place) 6.25  
Polyisocyanurate (foil-faced) 5.0-5.6  
Construction Materials
Concrete Block 4"   0.80
Concrete Block 8"   1.11
Concrete Block 12"   1.28
Brick 4" common   0.80
Brick 4" face   0.44
Poured Concrete 0.08  
Soft Wood Lumber 1.25  
   2" nominal (1 1/2")   1.88
   2x4 (3 1/2")   4.38
   2x6 (5 1/2")   6.88
Cedar Logs and Lumber 1.33  
Sheathing Materials
Plywood 1.25  
   1/4"   0.31
   3/8"   0.47
   1/2"   0.63
   5/8"   0.77
   3/4"   0.94
Fiberboard 2.64  
   1/2"   1.32
   25/32"   2.06
Fiberglass (3/4")   3.00
   (1")   4.00
   (1 1/2") 6.00
Extruded Polystyrene (3/4")   3.75
   (1")   5.00
   (1 1/2")   7.50
Foil-faced Polyisocyanurate
   (3/4")
  5.40
   (1")   7.20
   (1 1/2")   10.80
Siding Materials
Hardboard (1/2")   0.34
Plywood (5/8")   0.77
   (3/4")   0.93
Wood Bevel Lapped   0.80
Aluminum, Steel, Vinyl
   (hollow backed)
  0.61
   (w/ 1/2" Insulating board)   1.80
Brick 4"   0.44
Interior Finish Materials
Gypsum Board (drywall 1/2")   0.45
   (5/8")   0.56
Paneling (3/8")   0.47
Flooring Materials
Plywood 1.25  
   (3/4")   0.93
Particle Board (underlayment) 1.31  
   (5/8")   0.82
Hardwood Flooring 0.91  
   (3/4")   0.68
Tile, Linoleum   0.05
Carpet (fibrous pad)   2.08
   (rubber pad)   1.23
Roofing Materials
Asphalt Shingles   0.44
Wood Shingles   0.97
Windows
Single Glass   0.91
   w/storm   2.00
Double insulating glass
   (3/16") air space
  1.61
   (1/4" air space)   1.69
   (1/2" air space)   2.04
   (3/4" air space)   2.38
   (1/2" w/ Low-E 0.20)   3.13
   (w/ suspended film)   2.77
   (w/ 2 suspended films)   3.85
   (w/ suspended film and low-E)   4.05
Triple insulating glass
   (1/4" air spaces)
  2.56
   (1/2" air spaces)   3.23
Addition for tight fitting drapes or shades, or closed blinds   0.29
Doors
Wood Hollow Core Flush 
   (1 3/4")
  2.17
   Solid Core Flush (1 3/4")   3.03
   Solid Core Flush (2 1/4")   3.70
   Panel Door w/ 7/16" Panels 
   (1 3/4")
  1.85
Storm Door (wood 50% glass)   1.25
   (metal)   1.00
Metal Insulating 
   (2" w/ urethane)
  15.00
Air Films
Summer Interior Wall   0.68
Exterior Wall   0.25
Interior Ceiling Horizontal   0.92
Interior Ceiling 45°   0.76
Exterior Ceiling   0.25
Winter Interior Wall   0.68
Exterior Wall   0.17
Interior Ceiling Horizontal   0.61
Interior Ceiling 45°   0.62
Exterior Ceiling   0.17
Air Spaces
1/2" to 4" approximately   1.00

Find R-Values for Natural Stone here:

1 Measured Thermal Resistance of Cellulose Insulation Products Commercially Available in 2007

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Last Updated: 07/16/2019