While both types provide insulation, R30 is the better option for maximizing energy savings in areas where heat loss or gain is a major concern. For example, R19 may suffice for interior walls, but R30 is more appropriate for exterior-facing attics or floors.
It's absolutely worth it. Get the highest R value you can fit in there without messing up the ventilation of the roof deck. Code minimum is going to be R30 but R49 is strongly suggested (but you won't get that in 10 inches).
Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.
Fiberglass, cotton, and mineral wool can all work as loose-fill material, but the far and away top choice for blown-in insulation is fiberglass. Contrary to batts insulation, blown-in fiberglass insulation is perfect for filling in tight voids around wiring, pipes, or any area with awkward framing.
Without getting ludicrous, the higher the better. Heat rises, and the last barrier to keep heat escaping is the ceiling insulation. R40 is considered good.
Let's take a look at the most common types of ceiling insulation: batt insulation, spray foam, foam boards, blown-in insulation, and stone wool.
R19 Insulation offers superior thermal insulation compared to R13. With a typical thickness of 6.25 inches, R19 fiberglass is designed for use in 2x6 wall cavities, making them suitable for colder climates where higher thermal resistance is necessary.
Effective ceiling insulation is the best barrier against the summer heat and the winter cold, saving you up to 20% on your heating and cooling energy costs.
Most climates require a vapor barrier to cover ceiling insulation, but not all insulation requires a vapor barrier. It's always important to refer to your state's building codes.
While both types provide insulation, R30 is the better option for maximizing energy savings in areas where heat loss or gain is a major concern. For example, R19 may suffice for interior walls, but R30 is more appropriate for exterior-facing attics or floors.
If the existing attic insulation is an R-19, you may choose to add another layer of R-19. Two layers of R-19 at 6¼ ” thick will achieve a total R-value of 38. So adding an R-19 batt to an existing R-19 batt will give you a total insulation value of R-38.
Insulation levels are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers.
The various performance levels, R-19, R-30 and R-38 is all made from the same insulation material, only the thickness of the insulation differs in order to achieve different R-values and performance.
You should always install a vapor barrier to protect exposed ceiling insulation even if it's temporary. Consult with a building or safety expert to confirm where else in the structure a vapor barrier may be required.
When it comes to insulation, it's generally recommended to leave a gap between the insulation material and any other surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, or roofs. This gap provides ventilation and prevents moisture buildup, which can lead to mould and other problems.
Vapor barriers should be at least 6 mil in thickness to effectively cover the area and create a moisture barrier.
We recommend installing a minimum of R4. 0 ceiling insulation. If you live in cooler climates such as Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide then we recommend upgrading to R5. 0 or R6.
When it comes to insulating ceilings, attics, walls, and crawlspaces, homeowners and builders often choose fiberglass batts. Besides being cost-effective, they prevent heat from passing through walls, ceilings, and floors. Generally, fiberglass batts come in 2*4 or 2*6, but you can cut them down if necessary.
CEILING INSULATION THICKNESS
For instance, to achieve a U-value of 0.16 W/m²K for a flat ceiling, you'll need a minimum of 170mm thick mineral fibre insulation placed between the ceiling joists, along with an additional 100mm thick layer covering the joists.
R-value is used to judge thermal insulation performance and the higher the number, the better the product's insulating ability. So R19 has better insulating ability than R13. Now R-Value ranges widely across products and home applications.
By our rough estimate, for a garage heated consistently throughout the winter, insulating four walls, garage doors, floor, and ceiling to R-19 would result in about $1050/year in energy savings!
Kraft-faced insulation includes a paper vapor retarder, which helps prevent mold and mildew. Kraft-faced insulation should be installed in exterior walls, exterior basement walls, and attic ceilings by pressing the product into the wall cavity with the paper side facing outward, towards the installer.