What is the insulation rating for drywall?

Author: Efren Rogahn  |  Last update: Friday, January 2, 2026

For instance, drywall has an R-value of about 0.5 (for its half-inch thickness). Insulation that fills a 4-inch thick wall cavity, on the other hand, increases the R-value to about 15.

What is the maximum R-value for a 2x4 wall?

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).

What is the R-value of 1 drywall?

And the last layer would be one half inch plaster board which is also drywall and its R-value is given as . 45.

How much insulation weight can drywall hold?

While drywall alone can hold about 1.6 pounds to 2 pounds per square foot, mounting an object to the stud with the proper hardware allows the drywall to support up to 100 pounds.

What is drywall insulation rating?

Drywall has a relatively low R-value — about 0.45 at ½” thickness. This is similar to building materials such as siding, concrete, dirt, face brick, particleboard, wood and single-pane glass. However, it is significantly less than materials that are commonly used for insulation.

How to Choose the Best Insulation for Your Home | DIY Home Renovation

Can drywall hold 150 pounds?

Drywall Anchor Types for Heavier Items

Expansion anchors can hold up to 100 pounds per pair on concrete, brick and masonry walls. Self-drilling anchors can hold up to 150 pounds per pair on drywall, plaster and other hollow walls.

Does double drywall help insulate?

Double drywall offers significant advantages in certain buildings and specific situations. By adding an extra layer of drywall, you can benefit from increased fire resistance, improved soundproofing, and enhanced insulation.

What is the R-value of a 2x6 stud?

The installed insulation R-value for 2x6 fiberglass batt ranges between R-19 and R-21. When blown or sprayed cellulose insulation is used, the R-value is typically R-20 for 2x6 walls.

What is the best insulation for true 2x4 walls?

Insulation For 2x4 Walls

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.

Does excessive framing reduce the walls R-value?

While an increase in assumed framing factor from 15% to 25% can reduce the calculated overall R-value of a wood-frame wall by more than 10%, the effect on steel is even more dramatic (see Figure 1).

Can you get R20 in a 2x4 wall?

Johns Manville R20 Fibreglass Insulation Batts - Sound Barrier - 63.3-sq. ft. - 5.5-in Thick for 2 x 4 Walls.

What thickness drywall is soundproof?

The thickest of all the types of drywall, 5/8-inch drywall is often fire-resistant and is the best choice for soundproofing rooms. It makes a great choice for ceiling applications because it helps to prevent sagging over time.

How to get a 50 STC rating?

5 Strategies to Achieve STC 50 and Above
  1. Utilize Steel over Wood for Studs. Typical builds utilize studs and drywall for wall assemblies. ...
  2. Increase the Depth of Studs. ...
  3. More Space Between Studs. ...
  4. Soundproofing Membranes. ...
  5. Further Decoupling with Resilient Clips.

What is level 5 drywall?

Level 5. At a Level 5 finish, the drywall has a smooth, uniform surface that looks great under any intense lighting, harsh shadows or high-gloss paint, and your fasteners have essentially no chance of showing through the paint. It's the ultimate in drywall finishing.

Which is better, R19 or R30 insulation?

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.

What is the thinnest insulation with the highest R-value?

Thermablok® Aerogel is a revolutionary advancement in thermal technology offering the thinnest insulation available to prevent thermal and cold bridging. Classed as a Super Insulation, Aerogel has the highest insulation value of any known material with the lowest thermal conductivity value of any solid (0.015W/mK).

Can you use R30 insulation for walls?

Depending on where you live and the part of your home you're insulating (walls, crawlspace, attic, etc.), you'll need a different R-Value. 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.

Do you need a vapor barrier between insulation and drywall?

After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder, sometimes called a vapor barrier, if you need one. Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall, ceiling or floor during the cold winter.

Why does my house have 2 layers of drywall?

Double or multiple layers of drywall are sometimes required for increased fire resistance or for reduced sound penetration.

What R-value is drywall?

For instance, drywall has an R-value of about 0.5 (for its half-inch thickness). Insulation that fills a 4-inch thick wall cavity, on the other hand, increases the R-value to about 15.

Can I hang a TV on drywall?

Whether you have a brick or uneven stone façade, or mounting a TV above a fireplace, mounting a TV can be tricky, but even more so when mounting a TV without studs. Even though drywall can support a TV up to 100 lbs., it's still brittle and the mount can require additional support.

What is too heavy for drywall?

Exactly how much weight drywall can hold depends on where and how the weight is mounted. A thin nail in hollow drywall will leave even a light picture frame on the floor, but use the right hardware and technique, and your vertical drywall might be able to hold as much as 100 pounds.

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