Carpet R Value

In most cases floor covering will be used in the insulation mode.

Carpet r value.

The r value is based less on what the carpet is made of than on the actual thickness of the carpet. In this case choose cushion and carpet. R values of different flooring materials. For radiant floor heating you want the total r value to be as low as possible lower than 4 0.

For example wool carpet rates a maximum r value of 2 1 while other types of carpet can rate as low as 0 7. These numbers will vary from material to material. A cushion with an r value of 2 and a carpet with an r value of 1 would have an r value of 3 for the composite. The insulating value of the padding must also be combined with the r value of the installed carpeting.

Most of the time the r value is printed on the label of the product in the store. For example if you have a type of insulation that has an r value of r 5 per inch of thickness you will need a depth of 6 inches of this insulation installed in your attic to reach r 30 if you live in zones 2 or 3. If the r value for your carpet is not labeled or readily available it can be easily calculated by multiplying the carpet s thickness in inches but 2 6. Having explained the science how can this information help make sound floor covering decisions in terms of energy efficiency.

Adding these two together will produce a r value that can exceed 2 0. Often you can find the r value on the label when you are shopping for a new carpet but if it s not on the label you can figure out the carpet s approximate r value on your own. The r values of the carpet and padding add together for a total r value. R value is calculated not from the actual materials as much as from the thickness of the carpet.

If veiwing this page on a phone it s best to turn the phone to view in landscape mode r values of flooring materials. Although carpet is not. These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation. From 4 to 8 times the r value carpet vs.

From 8 to 17 times the r value carpet with cushion represents a clear advantage in insulation capability over hard surface flooring. Of course potential energy cost savings by using carpet and cushion in lieu of hard surfaces will vary widely. R values of different flooring materials.