Spray Foam Vs Batt Insulation R Value

Open cell spray foam insulation averages between 0 45 and 0 80 per board foot closed cell spray foam insulation averages between 1 and 2 per board foot total cost including installation averages between 3 95 and 7 20 per board foot depending on the quality of the insulation you choose.

Spray foam vs batt insulation r value.

It has a lower r value per inch than closed cell foam and is vapor permeable. If it gets wet r value will be decreased. Closed cell spray foam insulation. It also takes a lot of energy to manufacture making it less environmentally friendly compared to spray foam.

R value is a measurement of thermal resistance and measures the ability of heat to transfer from one side of an object to another. But if you re looking to replace insulation air barrier water resistant barrier and vapor barrier with one product spray foam tends to be about 10 percent to 15 percent less expensive. Closed cell spray foam insulation cost is 1 25 2 00 per board foot for the material diy. It can sag and compress over time decreasing its thermal performance.

Fiberglass batt insulation is priced by the roll or by the square foot. The common denominator among varieties of insulation is the r value. In comparison an inch of blown fiberglass insulation has an r value of 3 1 3 4 and. Homes generally try and reach an r value of 38 with their insulation.

The r value is r 3 5 to r 3 6 per inch so filling a 2 4 cavity yields about an r 13. Spray foam eliminates this possibility. This is the comparison on spray foam vs batts. Saves energy operating costs.

A higher r value prevents more heat from escaping through the insulation. I ve seen countless homeowners have to completely clean out and re insulate their attics after having a rodent problem. Foam insulation vs standard insulations over the past 50 years when you thought of insulation it was a no brainer the only considerations were do i use fiberglass or cellulose and what r value did i need in my walls and attic. Another advantage to spray foam insulation from a pest control perspective is its resilience to pests especially rats and mice.

If you re replacing r value with r value it s the most expensive product duffy admits. The r value of spray foam insulation is approximately 6 per inch so those using spray foam as their insulator will need about 6 3 inches of thickness to reach r 38. For example roll insulation suitable for 2 4 wall and ceiling cavities is about 0 35 to 0 40 per square foot. Spray foam insulation offers more r value per inch of thickness than most other insulation products.

Habitat for humanity s study on spray foam.