Suitable for moderate climates, R-30 insulation offers a balance between efficiency and practicality. It typically requires about 9-12 inches of thickness, depending on the material used, such as fiberglass or cellulose.
R30 Wall Assembly
Pros: Easy, keeps walls at 2X6, which has been the default for a while now.
With a R-Value of R-30 the insulation will fit into any 2x10 construction board. Kraft Faced. This insulation has a moisture barrier that is used for exterior wall, floor, or attic This insulation is perfect for 4 foot floor or attic cavities.
Fiberglass Batt Insulation: Typically, R30 fiberglass batts are about 8 to 9 inches thick. These pre-cut panels are easy to install and commonly used in attics and between wall studs.
Higher R-values provide greater effectiveness. R30 insulation is roughly twice as effective as R15 at the same thickness.
It's recommended to leave an air gap insulation of at least 25mm or 1 inch for the walls and ceilings. This should be enough to allow for ventilation and prevent moisture buildup. The same rule may be applied when using foil insulation. On roofs, the air gap should be larger, typically around 50mm or 2 inches.
Mice are curious and always searching for safe, snug, and warm nesting sites. Attics filled with blown-in insulation provide an excellent option–from the mice's point of view. As long as there is a ready food source. Mice are omnivorous and will eat and chew on almost anything including wood and electrical wires.
For example, R30 insulation is commonly used in ceilings, attics, and floors above unheated spaces. If you're wondering, "What is R30 insulation used for?", the answer is that it provides moderate insulation, typically seen in attics in warmer climates or as floor insulation over crawl spaces.
Foam insulation is a common target because it's easy for them to chew through. The material offers little resistance, allowing mice to create tunnels or nests within the insulation. But mice aren't just interested in chewing for the sake of it—they're also drawn to the warmth and shelter insulation provides.
What time of year is Insulation cheapest?
Rockwool Comfortbatt between the studs. PolyIso board on the exterior walls under your sheathing. We just did R-12 Zip Sheating with R-21 between the studs on our commercial property.
Natural Smells the Amish Use to Repel Mice
Traditional methods often include using natural deterrents like peppermint, pine, or other strong plant-based smells. Whether it's growing plants near entry points or using oils indoors, these scents can interfere with how mice navigate and make the space less appealing.
Because spray foam can trap moisture, hide the condition of the roof, make it difficult for surveyors to inspect, which means risks like timber decay, dry rot, and not forgetting increased fire risk. If you've got it or you're buying a property that does, this is something you need to know upfront.
Closed-cell spray foam and rigid foam board are hard, unattractive to rodents, and double as air barriers. Mineral wool is dense enough to discourage nesting. Fiberglass batts, especially in crawl spaces and attics, are essentially an open invitation.
Unfaced insulation is great for new construction, remodels, walls, floors, ceilings, basements, attics and crawlspaces. It's best used for interior wall applications that do not face the outside and also in rooms that don't need moisture control, like living rooms, dining rooms and studies.
Don't Install Loft Boards Directly on Joists
This can compress the insulation and create stress on the plasterboard below. Raised Boards Are Best: Installing loft boards on raised supports or Loft Legs ensures that the insulation is left undisturbed, allowing it to work at its optimal level.
Interior walls are frequently left uninsulated during construction because the energy efficiency benefits aren't as great as insulating exterior walls, floors and ceilings.
Warm Climates (Zones 1-3)
For regions with milder temperatures, R-30 insulation often meets energy efficiency standards. It is an economical choice for managing heat gain, balancing efficiency without over-insulating, and is suitable for attics, floors, and other areas where extreme thermal resistance isn't necessary.
Overall, fibreglass insulation is the cheapest and most effective insulation option available, making it a popular choice for homeowners and builders alike.
ROCKWOOL's reputation as a rodent-resistant insulation is mainly based on word of mouth and lack of negative feedback from numerous customers who use our products in “cottage country”. That being said, if a certain pest type is a nuisance to your particular area, best practice is to protect the insulation.