What Is A Good R Value For Carpet

Homeadvisor s best carpet guide gives tips on how to choose carpets by type material fibers nylon thickness low pile plush durability softness and more.

What is a good r value for carpet.

In most cases floor covering will be used in the insulation mode. 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. For instance if you have a material with an r value of 12 attached to another material with an r value of 3 then both materials combined have an r value of 15. Although carpet is not.

The insulating value of the padding must also be combined with the r value of the installed carpeting. Having explained the science how can this information help make sound floor covering decisions in terms of energy efficiency. The r value is based less on what the carpet is made of than on the actual thickness of the carpet. A low rating is perfect for use with under floor heating while a high rating means the carpet and underlay already offer good insulation and therefore isn t suitable for under floor heating.

These r values are a sum meaning this should be the total r value once you add up the entire depth of insulation. Material thermal insulation r value m2k w concrete 10 cm thick 0 07 0 08 carpet 1 cm thick 0 18 fibreglass insulation 1 cm thick 0 22 thermal resistance of materials1 the r value is used to measure a material s resistance to heat transfer or thermal resistance the higher the r value the greater the insulating effect. Some carpet and padding combinations can measure an r value of over. R value is the thermal resistance rating of a carpet.

For example wool carpet rates a maximum r value of 2 1 while other types of carpet can rate as low as 0 7. 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. Both the carpet and the underlay will have a separate tog rating and a combined rating over 2 0 isn t really suitable for underfloor heating.

While r value is an important factor to consider when choosing a flooring material you must also consider your aesthetic preferences. Learn what to look for when buying carpet to find the best carpet for pets stairs bedrooms high traffic areas living rooms and other rooms in a home. In this case choose cushion and carpet. As we said before the r value measures the thermal resistance of a material.