Spray Foam Vs Batt Insulation R Value

The common denominator among varieties of insulation is the r value.

Spray foam vs batt insulation r value.

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. 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. For example roll insulation suitable for 2 4 wall and ceiling cavities is about 0 35 to 0 40 per square foot. A higher r value prevents more heat from escaping through the insulation.

Habitat for humanity s study on spray foam. Spray foam eliminates this possibility. Closed cell spray foam insulation. Homes generally try and reach an r value of 38 with their insulation.

Saves energy operating costs. It can sag and compress over time decreasing its thermal performance. As a benchmark one inch of solid wood has an r value of 1. Fiberglass batt insulation is priced by the roll or by the square foot.

Spray foam insulation offers more r value per inch of thickness than most other insulation products. I ve seen countless homeowners have to completely clean out and re insulate their attics after having a rodent problem. 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. Closed cell spray foam insulation cost is 1 25 2 00 per board foot for the material diy.

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. If you re replacing r value with r value it s the most expensive product duffy admits. It also takes a lot of energy to manufacture making it less environmentally friendly compared to spray foam. In comparison an inch of blown fiberglass insulation has an r value of 3 1 3 4 and.

It has a lower r value per inch than closed cell foam and is vapor permeable. The r value is r 3 5 to r 3 6 per inch so filling a 2 4 cavity yields about an r 13. Another advantage to spray foam insulation from a pest control perspective is its resilience to pests especially rats and mice. R value is a measurement of thermal resistance and measures the ability of heat to transfer from one side of an object to another.

If it gets wet r value will be decreased.