List of insulation materials

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of insulation materials used around the world.

Table note: RSI-values and R-values for various materials and structures are noted. Typical values are approximations based on the average of available figures. The last column gives RSI-values normalised to a 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) thickness. Clicking on the RSI-value column sorts by median value of the range and clicking on the R-value column sorts by lowest value.

Material Thickness cm (in) RSI-value (m2·K/W) R-value (ft2·°F·h/BTU) RSI-value (m2·K/W) (per metre)
Vacuum insulated panel 2.54 (1) 5.28–8.8 14–66[1] 208–346
Silica aerogel 2.54 (1) 1.76 10.3[2] 69
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC expanded) initial 2.54 (1) 1.23–1.41 7–8 48–56
Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 (1) 1.10 6.25 43
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane expanded) initial 2.54 (1) 1.20 6.8 47
Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 (1) 0.97 5.5 38
Foil faced Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane expanded) 2.54 (1) 1.1–1.2 45–48 [3]
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane expanded) initial 2.54 (1) 1.20 6.8 55 [3]
Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 (1) 0.97 5.5 38
Polyisocyanurate spray foam 2.54 (1) 0.76–1.46 4.3–8.3 30–57
Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam 2.54 (1) 0.97–1.14 5.5–6.5 38–45
Phenolic spray foam 2.54 (1) 0.85–1.23 4.8–7 33–48
Thinsulate clothing insulation[4] 2.54 (1) 0.28–0.51 1.6–2.9 11–20
Urea-formaldehyde panels 2.54 (1) 0.88–1.06 5–6 35–42
Drywall[5] 2.54 (1) 0.15 .9 6.2
Urea foam[6] 2.54 (1) 0.92 5.25 36.4
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) high-density 2.54 (1) 0.88–0.95 5–5.4 26–40[3]
Polystyrene board[6] 2.54 (1) 0.88 5.00 35
Phenolic rigid panel 2.54 (1) 0.70–0.88 4–5 28–35
Urea-formaldehyde foam 2.54 (1) 0.70–0.81 4–4.6 28–32
High-density fiberglass batts 2.54 (1) 0.63–0.88 3.6–5 25–35
Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) low-density 2.54 (1) 0.63–0.82 3.6–4.7 25–32
loose-fill (pour fill)[7] 2.54 (1) 0.70 4 28
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) high-density 2.54 (1) 0.70 4.2 22–32[3]
Home Foam[8] 2.54 (1) 0.69 3.9 27.0
Rice hulls[9] 2.54 (1) 0.50 3.0 24
Fiberglass batts[10] 2.54 (1) 0.55–0.76 3.1–4.3 22–30
Cotton batts (Blue Jean insulation)[11][12] 2.54 (1) 0.65 3.7 26
Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) low-density 2.54 (1) 0.65 3.85 26
Sheep's wool Batt [13] 2.54 (1) 0.65 3.7 26
Icynene spray[7][14] 2.54 (1) 0.63 3.6 25
Open-cell polyurethane spray foam 2.54 (1) 0.63 3.6 25
Cardboard 2.54 (1) 0.52–0.7 3–4 20–28
Rock and slag wool batts 2.54 (1) 0.52–0.68 3–3.85 20–27
Cellulose loose-fill[15] 2.54 (1) 0.52–0.67 3–3.8 20–26
Cellulose wet-spray[15] 2.54 (1) 0.52–0.67 3–3.8 20–26
Rock and slag wool loose-fill[16] 2.54 (1) 0.44–0.65 2.5–3.7 17–26
Fiberglass loose-fill[16] 2.54 (1) 0.44–0.65 2.5–3.7 17–26
Polyethylene foam 2.54 (1) 0.52 3 20
Cementitious foam 2.54 (1) 0.35–0.69 2–3.9 14–27
Perlite loose-fill 2.54 (1) 0.48 2.7 19
Wood panels, such as sheathing 2.54 (1) 0.44 2.5 17 (9[17])
Fiberglass rigid panel 2.54 (1) 0.44 2.5 17
Vermiculite loose-fill 2.54 (1) 0.38–0.42 2.13–2.4 15–17
Vermiculite[18] 2.54 (1) 0.38 2.13 16–17[3]
Straw bale[19] 2.54 (1) 0.26 1.45 16–22[3]
Papercrete[20] 2.54 (1) 2.6–3.2 18–22
Softwood (most)[21] 2.54 (1) 0.25 1.41 7.7 [17]
Wood chips and other loose-fill wood products 2.54 (1) 0.18 1 7.1
Aerated/Cellular Concrete (5% moisture) 2.54 (1) 0.18 1 7.1
Snow 2.54 (1) 0.18 1 7.1
Hardwood (most)[21] 2.54 (1) 0.12 0.71 5.5 [17]
Brick 2.54 (1) 0.030 0.2 1.3–1.8[17]
Glass[6] 2.54 (1) 0.025 0.14 0.98
Uninsulated glass pane 0.6 (0.25) 0.16 0.91 0.98
Insulated glass (double glazed) 1.6–1.9 (0.63–0.75) 0.35 2 40
Insulated glass (double glazed, hard low-e) 1.6–1.9 (0.63–0.75) 0.67 3.8 77
Insulated glass (double glazed, soft low-e) 1.6–1.9 (0.63–0.75) 0.90 5.11 100
Insulated glass (triple glazed) 3.2–3.8 (1.2–1.5) 0.67 3.8 40
Poured concrete[6] 2.54 (1) 0.014 0.08 0.43–0.87 [17]
Material Thickness cm (in) RSI-value (m2·K/W) R-value (ft2·°F·h/BTU) RSI-value (m2·K/W) (per metre)
  1. ^ https://b2b-api.panasonic.eu/file_stream/pids/fileversion/3247
  2. ^ http://www.starch.dk/private/energy/img/Spaceloft_DS.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ a b c d e f Energy Saving Trust. "CE71 – Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings". Energysavingtrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ http://coloradoenergy.org/procorner/stuff/r-values.htm
  6. ^ a b c d Ristinen, Robert A., and Jack J. Kraushaar. Energy and the Environment. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.
  7. ^ a b "The Icynene Insulation System". June 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  8. ^ "Elastochem Specialty Chemicals | Foams: Spray Foam Insulation, Injection Foam and Pour in Place Foam". Elastochem-ca.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  9. ^ "Rice hulls in construction – Appropedia: The sustainability wiki". Appropedia. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  10. ^ "Products | Johns Manville Insulation". Jminsulation.com.au. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  11. ^ "Green Building Materials, Green Products". Greendepot.com. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  12. ^ "What is Green Living?". Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  13. ^ "sheep's wool specifications" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2014-07-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ a b "ICC Legacy Report ER-2833 – Cocoon Thermal and Sound Insulation Products". ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  16. ^ a b "Buildings Energy Data Book". Buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  17. ^ a b c d e Brian Anderson (2006). "Conventions for U-value calculations" (PDF). Bre.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  18. ^ "Evergreen Insulation - Types of insulation and R-Values". 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  19. ^ "R-Value of Straw Bales Lower Than Previously Reported – EBN: 7:9". Buildinggreen.com. September 1, 1998. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  20. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2014-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ a b "Home Design & Remodeling | Department of Energy". Energysavers.gov. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
Retrieved from ""