What Does R-Value Mean?

Crawl space insulation is essential for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year. However, to ensure maximum efficiency, it is crucial to use insulation with the recommended R-value for your specific climate and home.

This fact raises the question: What is R-value, and how does it impact your home’s indoor environment and crawl space conditions?

This page explains the concept of R-value and the importance of proper crawl space insulation.

• Roll Insulation: This material is made of glass fibers and comes in wide, puffy sheets. It’s suitable for insulating long and open areas like the space over attic joists. 
• Batting Insulation: It’s made of glass fibers and puffy strips with or without a paper or aluminum face. This insulation covers walls, attics, and the space between joists. Flattening or compressing battling reduces its R-value. 
• Blown-in Insulation: This insulation type is made of fiberglass or loose cellulose. It’s blown into attics and walls with no previous insulation. What’s good about this insulation is it easily fills around odd cavities and shapes. 
• Spray Foam Insulation: Expanding polyurethane foam cures into a sprayed shape, insulating pipes, wires, and areas where batting can’t be used. The R-value varies by type and density, with low-density foam around 6.3 per inch and high-density foam exceeding 7.
• Rigid Foam Insulation: Foam board is made from expanded or extruded polystyrene with an R-value of 3.6 and 4. It has a smoother surface and excellent thermal properties. This material is usually tucked over the crawl space and basement, providing an effective vapor barrier. 

Choose non-flammable, compact insulation materials that slow heat transfer and resist pest infestations and mold growth.

Consult your region’s R-value requirements and seek advice from a local crawl space expert to determine the best solutions for your home.

We recommend ExTremeBloc™ insulation panels for basements and crawl spaces. This advanced insulation system combines expanded polystyrene, graphite-infused insulation, and a radiant heat barrier. Its R-value rating of 11 delivers exceptional insulation performance, protecting crawl space walls against heat transfer and moisture-related issues. This insulation protection also safeguards indoor temperatures and environments.

Crawl Space

Inspect the perimeter walls if the crawl space is vented, and the space between floor joists if it is unvented. Soft materials like fiberglass are not ideal for crawl spaces, as they can easily retain moisture and harbor mold and pests. Contact a local crawl space expert to determine the appropriate measures for your home.

Basement

Inspect your unfinished basement walls and rim joists for existing insulation. Contact a local building code expert or insulation professional to determine your basement’s recommended R-value. Insulation improves thermal performance and potentially saves energy costs.

Floors

Insulating the floors above unheated basements or crawl spaces can significantly improve comfort in the room above by reducing heat loss. A professional will measure the floor joist depth to determine the appropriate insulation panel width, thickness, and best installation method.

• Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Insulating your crawl space can reduce energy consumption. Maintaining a more consistent temperature in the crawl space means HVAC systems won’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your living space, leading to significant savings on energy bills.
• Moisture Control: Crawl spaces are often damp and humid because they are located below grade and exposed to outdoor elements. Insulation traps warm air inside your home, preventing it from mixing with the cooler crawl space air. This reduces condensation on crawl space walls and floors, preventing pests, mold, and mildew growth.
• Enhanced Home Value: Homes with well-insulated crawl spaces are more energy-efficient and comfortable, making them more attractive to potential buyers and increasing your home’s value.

Understanding the R-value of your insulation is crucial for maintaining an energy-efficient and comfortable home.

Contact JES Foundation Repair for a free inspection, expert advice, and professional insulation services. We proudly serve Virginia, Maryland, DC, and the surrounding areas.

Let our experienced team help you enhance your home’s insulation and ensure long-lasting results today!