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R value confusion

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R value confusion mgarvie 01-28-2007
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Posted by mgarvie on January 28, 2007, 3:14 pm


I'm getting ready to remodel my bathroom and figured I would replace what
was placed in the exterior walls and called insullation back in 1957 (one
inch of fiberglass mat). I was looking at either the rigid pink foam or
styrofoam insulation. There is a big difference in price for 4x8 sheets but
only a difference in 2 R value. I've read what I could and still don't
understand what a difference of 2 R would make. Can someone explain or
point me to a site where in REALLY simple terms I can find out what an "R"
really is?



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Posted by SBH on January 28, 2007, 3:47 pm


I'm no expert in R-value but what I understand is, obviously, the higher the
R number the better it insulates. Therefore, I would assume the product with
the extra 2 R-value is a slightly better insulator.

Her are some sites I thought were fairly helpful:

http://www.roofhelp.com/Rvalue.htm
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html
http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_in_gs_000569.hcsp





Posted by Toller on January 28, 2007, 3:49 pm



> I'm getting ready to remodel my bathroom and figured I would replace what
> was placed in the exterior walls and called insullation back in 1957 (one
> inch of fiberglass mat). I was looking at either the rigid pink foam or
> styrofoam insulation. There is a big difference in price for 4x8 sheets
> but only a difference in 2 R value. I've read what I could and still
> don't understand what a difference of 2 R would make. Can someone explain
> or point me to a site where in REALLY simple terms I can find out what an
> "R" really is?
R is resistance to heat transmission. R20 isn't all that much different
than R18. R4 is very different than R2.



Posted by Joseph Meehan on January 28, 2007, 4:21 pm


mgarvie wrote:
> I'm getting ready to remodel my bathroom and figured I would replace
> what was placed in the exterior walls and called insullation back in
> 1957 (one inch of fiberglass mat). I was looking at either the rigid
> pink foam or styrofoam insulation. There is a big difference in
> price for 4x8 sheets but only a difference in 2 R value. I've read
> what I could and still don't understand what a difference of 2 R
> would make. Can someone explain or point me to a site where in
> REALLY simple terms I can find out what an "R" really is?

You say you want to "replace" what was "in the exterior walls?" I don't
think you want rigid foam if you are replacing it. Now if you are adding to
it by making the walls thicker, that is a different matter.

I would avoid Styrofoam. Get that stuff hot as in a fire and it is very
very nasty. You also will be required to take certain precautions to meet
building code if you use it. I don't know how much better the pink is but
it has to be better.

Assuming you are adding it, where are you adding it (interior surface or
exterior)? Have you considered the problems associated with making walls
thicker? Window trim electrical outlets etc.?

Assuming you are replacing what is there, I would assume you are then
removing a wall surface and I would choose professionally applied foam in
place or roll fiberglass.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit




Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on January 28, 2007, 4:56 pm



>
> I would avoid Styrofoam. Get that stuff hot as in a fire and it is
> very very nasty. You also will be required to take certain precautions to
> meet building code if you use it. I don't know how much better the pink
> is but it has to be better.

The products of combustion are: soot, water, carbon dioxide. No worse that
what an oil burner puts out. As for special precautions, it only has to be
covered with sheetrock. The foam is a modified material that will not burn
unless there is another source of ignition.

Houses are being built with eps foam on both the outside and inside. Take a
look at www.polysteel.com or www.integraspec.com Very energy efficient,
very quit, extremely strong.



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