Insulation is meant to prevent heat from being transferred. In construction, it is used in walls, floors, and roofs insulation to maintain the balanced temperature of your home. To help keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation also serves to reduce energy consumption on cooling and heating, which also saves money on your electricity bill.
In Australia, each state has its own insulation requirements in home construction. There are different types of insulation,to suit specific weather conditions as well as personal preferences.
What is R-Value?
An R-value is measured with a formula that divides the difference between the temperatures of the two sides of a material by its thermal conductivity, or the amount of heat that can pass through that material. This value is multiplied by the material’s thickness. Refer to the formula below.
This R-value can be directly used to calculate the overall R-value of your wall, roof, or floor, which considers not only the materials itself but also the other materials of the building, the spaces between them, and how they fit together.
What is a good R Value?
This really all depends on the climate conditions of your area. There are specifications prescribed for the lower limits of R-values in the Building Code of Australia, with each territory having its own specific requirements.
A good R-value for roof insulation bats is above 4.
It is always best to consult professionals (your builders, a building broker, etc.) to know what will be good for your area.
Is higher R-Value better?
Yes, The higher the R value is better in terms of insulation. However, the cost will increase the more you increase the R value.
Even though R-values are the main measure of how insulating material functions, keep in mind that there is more to it than just a single factor.
Like how other insulating materials in your structures perform, how the structure itself is built, to say a few. You also have to note that R-value says nothing about acoustic insulation, which may be a concern if you have nearby neighbors.
It’s great to be knowledgeable about these things so that you can keep up and stay informed when talking to your builder and make educated decisions when building or renovating your home.