Bubble Wrap Insulation R Value

By contrast 2 inches of extruded polystyrene insulation has an r value of 10.

Bubble wrap insulation r value.

Video library for addition videos. However we see claims of up to r 14 for some bubble products. A martin holladay editor of energy design update responds the r value of 3 8 inch thick foil faced bubble wrap is about 1 3. How to install bubble wrap on windows.

The higher the r value the less heat escapes. The approximate r value of the air space would be about 1. An r value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a material s thickness. Most metallic bubble wraps are about an r 1.

Bubble wrap works as insulation because it raises your windows r value. The product provides an r 8 0 when installed with a 0 75 air gap between the duct and the insulation and r 6 0 when installed direct to the duct without a spacer. If you read the fine print this rating is always achieved as part of an overall assembly which usually includes a lot of dead air spaces. A single pane window has an r value of 8.

Worth mentioning to get the equivalent r value to what the manufactures claim on the packaging the installer has to use spacers under the insulation to keep the prescribed air gap between the ducts and the foil. If the product is simply doubled with no air space between the layers a very minimal benefit is obtained r 1 1 per layer for the reflective double bubble product. Bubble wrap will instantly increase the insulation r value resistance to heat flow of your windows by a factor of 1 one. During the winter bubble wrap can effectively protect your home or greenhouse against the cold penetrating inside and prevent heat from moving out.

I have heard some say that the insulation could be installed loosely to maintain the gap. Some of the better manufactures state in fine print when you can find it the conductive r value of their products. It does as you point out change the conductive properties. The r value of 3 8 inch thick foil faced expanded polystyrene foam is about 1 6.