Insulation to Use For 2x4 walls, use R-13 or R-15 insulation. For 2x6 walls, use R-19 or R-21 insulation.
Fiberglass and rock wool batts—2x4 walls can hold R-13 or R-15 batts; 2x6 walls can have R-19 or R-21 products. Generally, batt insulation is the least expensive wall insulation material but requires careful installation for effective performance (see page 4).
The general recommendation is a minimum R13 in a 2x4 wall. If you're going to go with batts I would recommend looking into mineral wool instead of fiberglass. It provides a lot of benefits including a higher R-value per inch.
no, R19 will not provide better sound attenuation than R-13. In fact, just like thermal properties, it will actually provide less. What you're trying to block are airborne noises. An R11 sound batt will provide the best attenuation in a 2x4 wall compared to any of the fiberglass insulation products.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, R-values for exterior walls in colder climates should be at least R-13 to R-23. In milder climates, a lower R-value may be sufficient. For example, in a moderate climate, an R-value of R-13 to R-15 is typically recommended.
Use R-13 or R-15 kraft-faced fiberglass or mineral wool insulation rolls for 2x4 stud walls. Wall assemblies, especially those in older homes, are built with two-by-four (2x4) studs. The wall thickness will be 3-1/2 inches, not 4 inches. The width of modern 2x4s is 3-1/2 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.
The most common application of R19 Insulation is in a vertical wall framed by 2×6 studs. As mentioned above this is a common code requirement in some parts of the United States.
A well-built staggered stud wall increases the sound damping of a wall. Basically, this involves staggering 2x4 boards along alternate edges of the top and bottom frame. In existing walls, this includes the addition of furring strips to bring the outside frame to 2x6.
The dip from R10 to R4 seems odd, as one would expect more R as you travel further north through the zones. Thicker is not better! Doubling the amount of insulation will double the R-Value, but so what? Doubling the insulation from R-19 to R-38 does NOT cut the heat loss in half (50%) it cuts it by around 3%!
R-13 insulation offers a balanced blend of cost-effectiveness and thermal resistance, making it ideal for standard 2x4 wall cavities, floors over unheated spaces, and crawl spaces.
You can use both in similar places and climates. R15 insulation offers slightly more thermal resistance than R13 insulation, but it also costs more. Ultimately, it's difficult to justify paying a significantly higher price for R15 when R13's insulative properties are only slightly lower than R15.
One effective option for soundproof insulation for stud walls is to use an acoustic insulation roll. These rolls are made from materials such as fibreglass, rockwool, or recycled materials, and are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce the transmission of noise.
Faced insulation is better at preventing moisture damage; however, it can't be layered like unfaced insulation. For this reason, unfaced insulation is better for keeping your house warm in the winter. It also offers better sound protection.
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.
Mineral wool batts are a great choice when it comes to thermal performance. They beat the fiberglass batts with a 22–37% higher R-value per inch.
Investing your budget into the decoupling framework is a far more cost-effective way to soundproof your stud wall. The saving is made by only using a single layer of acoustic plasterboard over the top. This massively reduces your spending while also giving you excellent soundproofing.
R13 batt insulation is typically used to attenuate sound in interior wall cavities.
Walls – Soundproofing wall may involve decoupling inner and outer layers of a wall, adding more mass between the walls with dense materials, or applying a damping compound. Sound absorbing the walls may involve adding acoustic panels, decorative fabrics, or wall coverings that absorb sound waves and reduce echo.
For standard 2x4 walls, which are common in older homes, an R-value of R-15 is considered good, while R-21 is excellent. This can be achieved with high-performance fiberglass batts, dense-packed cellulose, or a combination of cavity insulation and continuous insulation.
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.
Excellent Thermal Performance Owens Corning™ R-15 EcoTouch® insulation is specifically engineered to solve the efficiency problems of exterior 2x4 walls. “High density” means more fibers per square inch. It delivers a higher R-value per square inch in less space than standard insulation products.
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. That's when mold starts to grow.
Although less common, R30 insulation can be used in exterior walls for homes in extremely cold or hot climates. The higher R-value ensures optimal protection against temperature fluctuations and energy loss.
Foam Board or Rigid Foam
Foam boards -- rigid panels of insulation -- can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. They are very effective in exterior wall sheathing, interior sheathing for basement walls, and special applications such as attic hatches.