Recommended R Value For Attic In Florida

The florida building code identifies two distinct climate zones.

Recommended r value for attic in florida.

Homes should have between r 22 and r 49 insulation in the attic. Broward collier hendry lee miami dade monroe and palm beach and require a minimum r 30 attic insulation. Existing 3 4 inches of insulation. All r values are insulation only tested labeled per ftc rule16 cfr 460.

Add insulation to attic. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are r 13 to r 23 while r 30 r 38 and r 49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. Typically current best home building practices indicate an r 30 to r 38 for attic insulation. That translates to about 12 inches of insulation.

Therefore a three inch thick board has an r value of 3. Most computer programs allow the user to calculate gross wall areas and subtract window and door areas. R values of framing members concrete blocks gypsum board etc. Climate zone 1 consists of the following south florida counties.

If your attic has enough insulation and your home still feels drafty and cold in the winter or too warm in the summer chances are you need to add insulation to the exterior walls as well. See the department of energy s doe ranges for recommended levels of insulation below. Recommended insulation levels for retrofitting existing wood framed buildings. Insulation requirements in florida residential requirements for insulation are divided by the location in the home.

The higher the r value the greater the insulation performance. An r value is also calculated per inch of width. Now that you have an idea of the depth you need you need to measure the width and length of your attic. The r value your home s attic needs depends on where you live.

Energy star s map of recommended home insulation shows that the majority of florida is within zone 2. Know exactly how much you need with our project calculators. You can see on home depot s website how many inches translates to a certain r value. When determining how much insulation you need don t guesstimate calculate.

Walls are entered by the type of assembly and the r value of insulation. Let s start at a base point. Energystar recommends an r value of r 38 for most homes. Framed wall insulation must meet or exceed r 13.

Solid wood has an r value of 1. This zone has a recommended r value of 30 to 60 for an uninsulated attic r25 to r38 for an attic with existing insulation and r13 to r19 for the floor.