Bubble Wrap Insulation R Value

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 insulation r value.

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. 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. 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.

Bubble wrap will instantly increase the insulation r value resistance to heat flow of your windows by a factor of 1 one. By contrast 2 inches of extruded polystyrene insulation has an r value of 10. Product description the reflectix r 8 0 duct insulation is a nominal 1 thick and consists of an outer reflective surface two layers of big bubbles in the center and a second outer reflective surface. Bubble wrap works as insulation because it raises your windows r value.

Most metallic bubble wraps are about an r 1. How to install bubble wrap on windows. After all the trouble of trying to keep the bubble wrap off the ducts the total r value would be 2 instead of 1 which may be insufficient to prevent condensation under some conditions. Some of the better manufactures state in fine print when you can find it the conductive r value of their products.

The approximate r value of the air space would be about 1. The r value of 3 8 inch thick foil faced expanded polystyrene foam is about 1 6. Bubble foil does offer some r value because of the bubbles because remember radiant barrier does not have an r value on its own. I have heard some say that the insulation could be installed loosely to maintain the gap.

It does as you point out change the conductive properties. The higher the r value the less heat escapes. An r value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a material s thickness. However we see claims of up to r 14 for some bubble products.