New York - Recommended Home Insulation R– Values

Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood-framed buildings

WHAT IS R-VALUE?

R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation

Insulation level are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The table below shows what levels of insulation are cost-effective for different climates and locations in the home.

U.S. Department of Energy recommended R-values for Add Insulation to Attic Zone 4

Uninsulated Attic - Attic insulation run between R-49 to R-60. Existing Attic 3–4 Inches of Insulation R-38. Walls should be between R-19 to R-21 Basement walls R13 to R-19. Floors R-25 to R-30

Wall Insulation: Whenever exterior siding is removed on an

Uninsulated wood-frame wall:

Drill holes in the sheathing and blow insulation into the empty wall cavity before installing the new siding, and
Zones 3–4: Add R5 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding
Zones 5–8: Add R5 to R6 insulative wall sheathing beneath the new siding.

Insulated wood-frame wall:

For Zones 4 to 8: Add R5 insulative sheathing before installing the new siding.

Zone	Add Insulation to Attic		Floor
Zone	Uninsulated Attic	Existing 3–4 Inches of Insulation	Floor
1	R30 to R49	R25 to R30	R13
2	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R13 to R19
3	R30 to R60	R25 to R38	R19 to R25
4	R38 to R60	R38	R25 to R30
5 to 8	R49 to R60	R38 to R49	R25 to R30

Where to Insulate in a Home

Attic Insulation
Duct Insulation
Cathedral Ceiling Insulation
Exterior Wall Insulation
Insulating Floors Above Unheated Garages
Foundation Insulation
Basement Insulation
Crawlspace Insulation
Slab-on-Grade Insulation