When dealing with anything regarding insulation, you’ve likely come across the term “R-value.” So, what exactly is the R-value, and how is it measured? At Alamance Insulation and Gutters, we know how important it is to properly insulate your home, therefore saving you money.
Popular insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow, and both radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems reduce radiant heat gain as well. The resistance to conductive heat flow of any form of insulation can be measured in terms of its thermal resistance, also known as its R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the effectiveness of the insulation. The R-value is only based on one layer of insulation.
Several factors influencing the R-value includes the type of insulation being used, its density, and its thickness. Sometimes R-value can also be affected by temperature, moisture accumulation, and aging. How and where the insulation is installed may also affect how successful that insulation is in reducing heat flow. The more insulation you install in your home, the higher the R-value and the greater the resistance to heat flow. When you’re considering installing insulation in your home, you can begin to figure out how much insulation you’ll need based mainly on your climate.
Important to note also is that radiant barriers have no true R-value, because this type of insulation – different from traditional insulation materials – are highly reflective and re-emit radiant heat as opposed to absorbing it. While you can calculate an R-value for a radiant barrier, the effectiveness of this kind of insulation system depends on their ability to decrease heat gain by reflecting that heat away from the living area in a house.
How much insulation or R-value you need in a home depends on the part of the house you plan to insulate, your climate, and the type of heating and cooling system you plan to use. In addition, don’t forget that moisture control and air sealing are important to include in your home as well as insulation.
At Alamance Insulation and Gutters, we know how tricky it can be to understand some of the terms association with insulating your home. Call us today for a free estimate! With over 20 years of cumulative experience, Alamance Insulation, LLC is a leader in the insulation and home performance industries. Centrally located in Burlington, North Carolina – the heart of the Piedmont – we provide leading-edge insulation products and services to customers throughout North Carolina, from Greensboro, Burlington, Elon and Mebane to , Durham and Raleigh.