what is r value: R-value is a measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow. In the context of insulation, R-value is used to indicate how well a particular insulation material can resist heat transfer through conduction. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance to heat flow and the better the insulation performance.
The R-value of an insulation material is determined by its thickness and thermal conductivity, also known as its “k-value”. The R-value is calculated by dividing the thickness of the insulation (in inches) by its k-value. For example, if you have insulation with a thickness of 3 inches and a k-value of 0.2, the R-value would be 3 divided by 0.2, which equals an R-value of 15.
It’s important to note that R-value only measures the resistance to heat flow through conduction and doesn’t take into account other types of heat transfer, such as radiation or air leakage. Therefore, it’s important to choose insulation with the appropriate R-value for your climate and building type, as well as address other factors that can impact energy efficiency, such as air sealing and ventilation.
