List of insulation materials

This is a list of insulation materials used around the world.

Typical R-values are given for various materials and structures as approximations based on the average of available figures and are sorted by lowest value. R-value at 1 m gives R-values normalised to a thickness and sorts by median value of the range.

Material Thickness R-value R-value at 1 m (m2·K/W) (cm) (in) (m2·K/W) (ft2·°F·h/BTU) Vacuum insulated panel 2.54 1 Silica aerogel 2.54 1 Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) initial 2.54 1 Polyurethane rigid panel (CFC/HCFC-expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 1 Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial 2.54 1 Polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 1 Foil-faced polyurethane rigid panel (pentane-expanded) 2.54 1 45–48 Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) initial 2.54 1 55 Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid panel (pentane-expanded) aged 5–10 years 2.54 1 Polyisocyanurate spray foam 2.54 1 Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam 2.54 1 Phenolic spray foam 2.54 1 Thinsulate clothing insulation 2.54 1 Urea-formaldehyde panels 2.54 1 Drywall 2.54 1 Urea foamRistinen, Robert A., and Jack J. Kraushaar. Energy and the Environment. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006. 2.54 1 Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) high-density 2.54 1 26–40 Polystyrene board 2.54 1 Phenolic rigid panel 2.54 1 Urea-formaldehyde foam 2.54 1 High-density fiberglass batts 2.54 1 Extruded expanded polystyrene (XPS) low-density 2.54 1 Icynene loose-fill (pour-fill) 2.54 1 Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) high-density 2.54 1 22–32 Rice hulls 2.54 1 24 Fiberglass batts 2.54 1 Cotton batts (blue jean insulation) 2.54 1 Molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) low-density 2.54 1 Sheep's wool batt 2.54 1 Icynene spray 2.54 1 Open-cell polyurethane spray foam 2.54 1 Cardboard 2.54 1 Rock and slag wool batts 2.54 1 Cellulose loose-fill 2.54 1 Cellulose wet-spray 2.54 1 Rock and slag wool loose-fill 2.54 1 Fiberglass loose-fill 2.54 1 Polyethylene foam 2.54 1 Cementitious foam 2.54 1 Perlite loose-fill 2.54 1 Wood panels, such as sheathing 2.54 1 Fiberglass rigid panel 2.54 1 Vermiculite loose-fill 2.54 1 Vermiculite 2.54 1 16–17 Straw bale 2.54 1 16–22 Papercrete 2.54 1 Softwood (most) 2.54 1 7.7 Wood chips and other loose-fill wood products 2.54 1 Aerated/cellular concrete (5% moisture) 2.54 1 Snow 2.54 1 Hardwood (most) 2.54 1 5.5 Brick 2.54 1 1.3–1.8 Glass 2.54 1 Uninsulated glass pane 0.6 0.25 0.16 0.91 Insulated glass (double glazed) 1.6–1.9 0.63–0.75 0.35 2 40 Insulated glass (double glazed, hard low-e) 1.6–1.9 0.63–0.75 0.67 3.8 77 Insulated glass (double glazed, soft low-e) 1.6–1.9 0.63–0.75 0.90 5.11 100 Insulated glass (triple glazed) 3.2–3.8 1.2–1.5 0.67 3.8 40 Poured concrete 2.54 1 0.43–0.87 Material Thickness R-value R-value at 1 m (m2·K/W) (cm) (in) (m2·K/W) (ft2·°F·h/BTU) References