Types of insulation table - R-value, temperature, notes
The following insulation table was compiled from various sources in the references below. The selection is intended to be of use to solar/renewable energy DIYers. See the manufacturer for actual values for specific products.
If you're not familiar with insulation at all or what R-value means then have a look at the insulation page first.
Sample photos of different types of insulation
It's not recommended that polystyrene be used for most solar heating applications due to it's low melting temperature. If you want to use a rigid board then most often polyisocyanurate is used.
A batt is a blanket or roll of insulation.
Table of insulation commonly used in DIY solar/renewable energy projects
| Material | R-value per inch (US) |
R-value per thickness |
Working temperature |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| polyisocyanurate rigid board (foil faced) | 6.8 - 7.7 | 200F (93C) | ||
| polyurethane rigid board (foil faced) | 6.8 | 200F (93C) | ||
| extruded polystyrene rigid board | 5.0 | 165F (74C) | ||
| expanded polystyrene rigid board | 3.6-4.4 | 165F (74C) | Combustable. Not a good choice for a solar collector. This is the white one. Also in the form of "peanuts". | |
| fiber glass batts | 3.0 - 4.3 | 180F (82C) | Good fire resistance. | |
| mineral/rock wool batts | 3.0 - 4.0 | > 500F (> 260C) | Excellent fire resistance. | |
| straw bale | 1.45 | |||
| wood (general) | 0.75 - 1.41 | |||
| wood (oak) | 0.75 | |||
| wood (pine) | 0.91 - 1.32 | |||
| wood (cedar) | 1.09 - 1.41 | |||
| plywood | 1.25 | |||
| glass - single pane | 0.91 | |||
| glass with 1/4" air gap | 1.69 | |||
| glass with 1/2" air gap | 2.04 | |||
| glass with 3/4" air gap | 2.38 | |||
| low-E glass (0.20) with 1/2" air gap | 3.13 | |||
| Suntuf polycarbonate sheet (Palram) | 0.68 | |||
| 6mm Twin Wall polycarbonate sheet (Macrolux) | 1.58 | |||
| 8mm Twin Wall polycarbonate sheet (Macrolux) | 1.72 | |||
| 10mm Twin Wall polycarbonate sheet 1700 g/m2 (Macrolux) | 1.77 | |||
| 10mm Twin Wall polycarbonate sheet 2000 g/m2 (Macrolux) | 1.89 |
References:
1. Choosing your Wood Species.
LogHome.com
2. Thermal conductivity.
Wikipedia
3. R-value (insulation).
Wikipedia
4. Insulation Factsheet.
University of Alaska Fairbanks - via builditsolar.com
5. R-Values Table.
COLORADOENERGY.org
6. Suntuf Physical Properties Sheet.
palramamericas.com
7. Long Life twin and triple wall polycarbonate sheets (Macrolux).
macrolux.co.uk
