Spray Foam Vs Batt Insulation R Value

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Spray foam vs batt insulation r value.

Closed cell spray foam has a far better r value per inch than other less effective insulations like cellulose fiberglass or even open cell foam. A higher r value prevents more heat from escaping through the insulation. Foam insulation vs standard insulations over the past 50 years when you thought of insulation it was a no brainer the only considerations were do i use fiberglass or cellulose and what r value did i need in my walls and attic. Fiberglass batt insulation is priced by the roll or by the square foot.

It can sag and compress over time decreasing its thermal performance. Closed cell spray foam insulation. For example roll insulation suitable for 2 4 wall and ceiling cavities is about 0 35 to 0 40 per square foot. R value is a measurement of thermal resistance and measures the ability of heat to transfer from one side of an object to another.

The r value of spray foam insulation is approximately 6 per inch so those using spray foam as their insulator will need about 6 3 inches of thickness to reach r 38. Homes generally try and reach an r value of 38 with their insulation. This is the comparison on spray foam vs batts. Batt insulation does not have as high of an r value compared to spray foam.

If you re replacing r value with r value it s the most expensive product duffy admits. Spray foam eliminates this possibility. Habitat for humanity s study on spray foam. The r value is r 3 5 to r 3 6 per inch so filling a 2 4 cavity yields about an r 13.

It has a lower r value per inch than closed cell foam and is vapor permeable. Closed cell spray foam insulation cost is 1 25 2 00 per board foot for the material diy. The common denominator among varieties of insulation is the r value. As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1.

If it gets wet r value will be decreased. But if you re looking to replace insulation air barrier water resistant barrier and vapor barrier with one product spray foam tends to be about 10 percent to 15 percent less expensive. Spray foam insulation offers more r value per inch of thickness than most other insulation products. It also takes a lot of energy to manufacture making it less environmentally friendly compared to spray foam.

Open cell spray foam insulation averages between 0 45 and 0 80 per board foot closed cell spray foam insulation averages between 1 and 2 per board foot total cost including installation averages between 3 95 and 7 20 per board foot depending on the quality of the insulation you choose.