Relation to U-value The reciprocal of R-value (1/R) is known as the U-value. The higher the U-value, the better the conduction of heat. In Europe it is customary to use U-values instead of R-values. There, U-values are defined1 by the equation: ![]()
This is not the reciprocal of the American R-value (kelvin instead of degrees Fahrenheit, meters instead of feet, etc.) To convert an American R-value into a European U-value, divide 1 by the R-value, then multiply the result by 5.682. To convert a European U-value to an American R-value, multiply by 0.176, then divide 1 by the result. 1. ISO-DP10292 draft standard and CEN-ISO 9050. In the German standard DIN 4701, this quantity is called “K”. Typical R-valuesThe R-value of a structure made of layers of different materials can be estimated by adding the R-values of the layers. The R-value of a layer can be estimated by multiplying its thickness in inches by the R-value per inch. These techniques don't give strictly accurate results (among other factors, a layer of air stuck on the surfaces between layers is itself an insulator), but they come close. InsulationType of insulation | R-value
per inch of thickness | Vermiculite, loose fill | 2.08 | Perlite, loose fill | 2.7 | Fiberglass, blankets and batts | 3.33 | Fiberglass, blown loose fill | 2.2 | Fiberglass, boards | 4.5 | Rock wool, batts | 3.66 | Rock wool, blown loose fill | 2.93 | Polystyrene boards | 3.45 | Cellulose, blown loose fill | 3.6 | Urea-formaldehyde foam | 4.48 | Urethane foam | 5.3 | Walls and SidingWood bevel siding, ½″ × 8″ lapped | 0.81 | Wood siding shingles, 16″ × 7½″ exposure | 0.87 | Asbestos-cement shingles | 0.03 | Stucco, per inch | 0.20 | Building paper | 0.06 | ½-inch nail-base insulation board sheathing | 1.14 | ½-inch insulation board sheathing, regular density | 1.32 | insulation board sheathing, regular density | 2.04 | ¼-inch plywood | 0.31 | 3/8 inch plywood | 0.47 | ½-inch plywood | 0.62 | 5/8 inch plywood | 0.78 | Softwood, per inch | 1.25 | Softwood board ¾-inch thick | 0.94 | Concrete block,
three oval cores | cinder aggregate, 4 inches thick | 1.11 | cinder aggregate, 8 inches thick | 1.72 | cinder aggregate, 12 inches thick | 1.89 | sand and gravel aggregate, 8 inches thick | 1.11 | lightweight aggregate
(expanded clay, shale, slag,
pumice, etc.),
8 inches thick | 2.00 | Concrete block,
two rectangular cores | Sand and gravel aggregate, 8 inches | 1.04 | Lightweight aggregate, 8 inches thick | 2.18 | Common brick, per inch | 0.20 | Face brick, per inch | 0.11 | Sand-and-gravel concrete, per inch | 0.08 | ½-inch gypsum board | 0.45 | 5/8 inch gypsum board | 0.56 | ½ inch lightweight aggregate gypsum plaster | 0.32 |
FloorsHardwood finish flooring | 0.68 | Asphalt, linoleum, vinyl, or rubber floor tile | 0.05 | Carpet with a fibrous pad | 2.08 | Carpet with a foam rubber pad | 1.23 | RoofsAsphalt roof shingles | 0.44 | Wood roof shingles | 0.94 | 3/8 inch build-up roof | 0.33 | DoorsSolid wood 1 inch thick | 1.56 | Solid wood 1 inch thick with wood storm door | 3.3 | Solid wood 1½ inches thick | 2.04 | Solid wood 1½ inches thick with wood storm door | 3.7 | Solid wood 2 inches thick | 2.33 | Solid wood 2 inches thick with wood storm door | 4.17 | Three-quarter inch air spacesHeat flow up | 0.87 | Heat flow up, one surface reflective | 2.23 | Recommended levels of insulationBuilding codes specify a minimum level of insulation. The optimum amount of insulation depends on guessing what the cost and availability of heating fuel (or electricity for cooling) will be over the life of the house, and comparing that with the cost of insulation. Current advice from the U.S. Dept. of Energy can be found at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html Go to www.ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html for an applet from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory that gives an estimate which takes many factors into account.
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