Vacuum insulated panels have the highest R-value, approximately R-45 (in U.S. units) per inch; aerogel has the next highest R-value (about R-10 to R-30 per inch), followed by polyurethane (PUR) and phenolic foam insulations with R-7 per inch.

What is the highest R-value insulation you can buy?

Insulation R-Value Chart

  • Closed Cell Spray Foam: R-6 to R-7.
  • Foam Board: R-4.5 to R-5.
  • Open Cell Spray Foam: R-3.6 to R-3.9.
  • Cellulose (Loose-Fill): R-3.1 to R-3.8.
  • Fiberglass (Batts): R-2.9 to R3.8.
  • Fiberglass (Loose-Fill): R-2.2 to R-2.9.




What is the thinnest insulation with highest R-value?

Aerogel insulation

Aerogel insulation offers the highest R-value of any insulating material at less weight and thickness—ideal for construction, refineries, pipelines, and thin-gap thermal barriers.

What is the R-value of 1 inch thick?

At one inch thickness, EnerfoilTM achieves a 6.2 R-Value, or a 1.08 RSI.
R-Value Chart for EnerfoilTM Rigid Foam Faced Insulation.

Thickness (Inches) R-value (in I-P/Imperial) RSI (R-value in Metric)
0.75 4.5 0.81
1.0 6.2 1.08
1.5 9.3 1.62
2.0 12.4 2.16

What is the best R-value?





Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood-framed buildings

Zone Add Insulation to Attic
Uninsulated Attic Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation
1 R30 to R49 R25 to R30
2 R30 to R60 R25 to R38
3 R30 to R60 R25 to R38

What material has the highest R-value per inch?

Vacuum insulated panels

Vacuum insulated panels have the highest R-value, approximately R-45 (in U.S. units) per inch; aerogel has the next highest R-value (about R-10 to R-30 per inch), followed by polyurethane (PUR) and phenolic foam insulations with R-7 per inch.

What is the R-value of 1 inch spray foam?

This microscopic difference in the two products creates a dramatic difference in performance. Closed cell spray foam has an R-value of R-7 per inch. In comparison, open cell spray foam has an R-value of R-3.8 per inch. Additionally, the materials have decidedly different densities.

How many inches is R38?



Fiberglass Chart

R-Value Thickness Bags / 1000 Sq Ft
R49 16.25” 22.6
R44 14.75” 20.1
R38 12.75” 16.8
R30 10.25” 13.0

What is the most efficient type of insulation?

Spray foam insulation is the most energy-efficient insulation to create an air barrier in the attic. Certain spray foams can expand up to 100 times its original size, so it fills all of the nooks and crannies in the attic.

What materials have the best R-value?

The type of insulation with the highest R-Values, with a few exceptions, is rigid foam or panel insulation. Also called “foam board” or “continuous” insulation. Most varieties of this type of insulation consist of expanded foam sandwiched between two rigid panels.

What is the R-value of rigid foam insulation?



Rigid foam R-values range from R-1 for 1/4-inch thick sheathing panels to R-15 for 3-inch thick panels. R-value is not entirely a function of the thickness of the material, as the facing material and type of foam used will affect the R-value of the material.

How many inches is R49 fiberglass insulation?

R49 Insulation Thickness Guide

Insulation Material R49 Thickness Required (Inch)
Closed Cell Spray-Foam 7 to 8 inches
Fiberglass Batt 14 inches
Blown-In Fiberglass 16.25 inches
Blown-In Rockwool 16 inches

What is the highest R-value for 6 inch batt insulation?

Fiberglass Insulation Batts
Fiberglass blankets or rolls provide an R-value of up to 3.2 per inch, so a 6-inch fiberglass batt may achieve an R-value of 19.2, and some high-performance products are rated at R-21.

What is r8 insulation used for?

EcoFoil R-8 HVAC Duct Wrap Insulation is specifically designed to reduce radiant heat gain/loss in residential and commercial duct applications. The insulation also helps control condensation by providing an airtight thermal break around the HVAC ducting.

Does fiberglass insulation lose R-value when compressed?



When you compress fiber glass batt insulation, the R-value per inch goes up, but the overall R-value goes down because you have less inches or thickness of insulation.

How many inches of blown insulation is r60?

If you have approximately 6″ of existing insulation, you’ll need to add an additional 17″ to reach R-60. If you have approximately 10″ of existing insulation, you’ll need to add an additional 13″ to reach R-60. If you have no insulation, you’ll need 23″ to reach R-60.

How thick is cellulose insulation for R60?

17 inches

The average recommended level is 17 inches of R60. In Zone 6, the average minimum requirement for attic insulation is 14 inches of R49 fill. The average recommended level is 17 inches of R60.

Is fiberglass or cellulose insulation better?



At 3.5 per inch of material, the R-value of blown-in cellulose is 23% better per inch than fiberglass batts! According to research done at the Oak Ridge National Lab, fiberglass loses up to 50% of its R-value in very cold conditions; making cellulose a better choice for homes in northern climates.