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This is a list of insulation materials used around the world.

Typical R-values are given for various materials and structures as approximations based on the average of available figures and are sorted by lowest value. R-value at 1 m gives R-values normalised to a 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) thickness and sorts by median value of the range.

Material Thickness R-value R-value at 1 m
(m2·K/W)
(cm) (in) (m2·K/W) (ft2·°F·h/BTU)
Vacuum insulated panel 2.54 1 5.28–8.8 14–66[1] 208–346
Silica aerogel 2.54 1 1.76 10.3[2] 69
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) initial 2.54 1 1.23–1.41 7–8 48–56
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 1 1.10 6.25 43
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial 2.54 1 1.20 6.8 47
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 1 0.97 5.5 38
Foil-faced polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) 2.54 1 1.1–1.2 45–48 [3]
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial 2.54 1 1.20 6.8 55 [3]
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 1 0.97 5.5 38
Polyisocyanurate spray foam 2.54 1 0.76–1.46 4.3–8.3 30–57
Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam 2.54 1 0.97–1.14 5.5–6.5 38–45
Phenolic spray foam 2.54 1 0.85–1.23 4.8–7 33–48
Thinsulate clothing insulation[4] 2.54 1 0.28–0.51 1.6–2.9 11–20
Urea-formaldehyde panels 2.54 1 0.88–1.06 5–6 35–42
Drywall[5] 2.54 1 0.15 .9 6.2
Urea foam[6] 2.54 1 0.92 5.25 36.4
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) high-density 2.54 1 0.88–0.95 5–5.4 26–40[3]
Polystyrene board[6] 2.54 1 0.88 5.00 35
Phenolic rigid panel 2.54 1 0.70–0.88 4–5 28–35
Urea-formaldehyde foam 2.54 1 0.70–0.81 4–4.6 28–32
High-density fiberglass batts 2.54 1 0.63–0.88 3.6–5 25–35
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) low-density 2.54 1 0.63–0.82 3.6–4.7 25–32
Icynene loose-fill (pour-fill)[7] 2.54 1 0.70 4 28
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) high-density 2.54 1 0.70 4.2 22–32[3]
Rice hulls[8] 2.54 1 0.50 3.0 24
Fiberglass batts[9] 2.54 1 0.55–0.76 3.1–4.3 22–30
Cotton batts (blue jean insulation)[10][11] 2.54 1 0.65 3.7 26
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) low-density 2.54 1 0.65 3.85 26
Sheep's wool batt[12] 2.54 1 0.65 3.7 26
Icynene spray[7][13] 2.54 1 0.63 3.6 25
Open-cell polyurethane spray foam 2.54 1 0.63 3.6 25
Cardboard 2.54 1 0.52–0.7 3–4 20–28
Rock and slag wool batts 2.54 1 0.52–0.68 3–3.85 20–27
Cellulose loose-fill[14] 2.54 1 0.52–0.67 3–3.8 20–26
Cellulose wet-spray[14] 2.54 1 0.52–0.67 3–3.8 20–26
Rock and slag wool loose-fill[15] 2.54 1 0.44–0.65 2.5–3.7 17–26
Fiberglass loose-fill[15] 2.54 1 0.44–0.65 2.5–3.7 17–26
Polyethylene foam 2.54 1 0.52 3 20
Cementitious foam 2.54 1 0.35–0.69 2–3.9 14–27
Perlite loose-fill 2.54 1 0.48 2.7 19
Wood panels, such as sheathing 2.54 1 0.44 2.5 17 (9[16])
Fiberglass rigid panel 2.54 1 0.44 2.5 17
Vermiculite loose-fill 2.54 1 0.38–0.42 2.13–2.4 15–17
Vermiculite[17] 2.54 1 0.38 2.13 16–17[3]
Straw bale[18] 2.54 1 0.26 1.45 16–22[3]
Papercrete[19] 2.54 1 2.6–3.2 18–22
Softwood (most)[20] 2.54 1 0.25 1.41 7.7 [16]
Wood chips and other loose-fill wood products 2.54 1 0.18 1 7.1
Aerated/cellular concrete (5% moisture) 2.54 1 0.18 1 7.1
Snow 2.54 1 0.18 1 7.1
Hardwood (most)[20] 2.54 1 0.12 0.71 5.5 [16]
Brick 2.54 1 0.030 0.2 1.3–1.8[16]
Glass[6] 2.54 1 0.025 0.14 0.98
Uninsulated glass pane 0.6 0.25 0.16 0.91 0.98
Insulated glass (double glazed) 1.6–1.9 0.63–0.75 0.35 2 40
Insulated glass (double glazed, hard low-e) 1.6–1.9 0.63–0.75 0.67 3.8 77
Insulated glass (double glazed, soft low-e) 1.6–1.9 0.63–0.75 0.90 5.11 100
Insulated glass (triple glazed) 3.2–3.8 1.2–1.5 0.67 3.8 40
Poured concrete[6] 2.54 1 0.014 0.08 0.43–0.87 [16]
Material Thickness R-value R-value at 1 m
(m2·K/W)
(cm) (in) (m2·K/W) (ft2·°F·h/BTU)

References

  1. ^ https://b2b-api.panasonic.eu/file_stream/pids/fileversion/3247[bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ http://www.starch.dk/private/energy/img/Spaceloft_DS.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ a b c d e f Energy Saving Trust. "CE71 – Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings". Energysavingtrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-14.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ http://coloradoenergy.org/procorner/stuff/r-values.htm
  6. ^ a b c d Ristinen, Robert A., and Jack J. Kraushaar. Energy and the Environment. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.
  7. ^ a b "The Icynene Insulation System". June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  8. ^ "Rice hulls in construction – Appropedia: The sustainability wiki". Appropedia. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  9. ^ "Products | Johns Manville Insulation". Jminsulation.com.au. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  10. ^ "Green Building Materials, Green Products". Greendepot.com. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  11. ^ "What is Green Living?". Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  12. ^ "sheep's wool specifications" (PDF).
  13. ^ "Portfolio of Spray Foam Insulation Products | Icynene". Archived from the original on 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  14. ^ a b "ICC Legacy Report ER-2833 – Cocoon Thermal and Sound Insulation Products". ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  15. ^ a b "Buildings Energy Data Book". Buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  16. ^ a b c d e Brian Anderson (2006). "Conventions for U-value calculations" (PDF). Bre.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  17. ^ "Evergreen Insulation - Types of insulation and R-Values". 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  18. ^ "R-Value of Straw Bales Lower Than Previously Reported – EBN: 7:9". Buildinggreen.com. September 1, 1998. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  19. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2014-07-21.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ a b "Home Design & Remodeling | Department of Energy". Energysavers.gov. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
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