Bubble Wrap Insulation R Value

It does as you point out change the conductive properties.

Bubble wrap insulation r value.

The r value of 3 8 inch thick foil faced expanded polystyrene foam is about 1 6. However we see claims of up to r 14 for some bubble products. By contrast 2 inches of extruded polystyrene insulation has an r value of 10. 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. I have heard some say that the insulation could be installed loosely to maintain the gap. 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.

How to install bubble wrap on windows. Video library for addition videos. Some of the better manufactures state in fine print when you can find it the conductive r value of their products. During the winter bubble wrap can effectively protect your home or greenhouse against the cold penetrating inside and prevent heat from moving out.

Bubble wrap will instantly increase the insulation r value resistance to heat flow of your windows by a factor of 1 one. Most metallic bubble wraps are about an r 1. 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. 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.

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. 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. A single pane window has an r value of 8. The approximate r value of the air space would be about 1.