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Sustainability Unit

Wall R-value comparison table

R-value indicates how well a wall insulates. For example a wall with an R-value of 2 stops twice as much heat from entering or exiting a building as a wall with an R-value of 1.

Steel cladding, steel frame

Drawing of a profile of Steel cladding, steel frame

with no insulation

0.32

with sisalation between cladding and frame (reflective side facing inwards/air gap)

0.70

with sisalation between cladding and frame plus R1.5 batts

1.46

190 mm hollow concrete blocks

Drawing of a profile of 190 mm hollow concrete block

standard single layer

0.35

with internal 20 mm plaster

0.39

with sisalation inside 25 mm battens & plasterboard (reflective side facing air gap, seal all cavities)

1.02

90 mm hollow concrete blocks

Drawing of a profile of 90 mm hollow concrete block

double layer with 50 mm sealed cavity

0.60

double layer with 20 mm internal plaster
(cavities between building layers should be sealed)

0.64

90 mm solid bricks

Drawing of profiles of 90 mm solid bricks

Brick veneer, no insulation

0.46

Brick veneer, sisalation in cavity (reflective side facing air gap)

0.91

Double brick

0.48

double brick with 20 mm internal plaster

0.51

double brick, urea formaldehyde in cavity and 20 mm internal plaster

1.74