Cavity insulation as indicated in approved construction documents completely fills the knee wall cavity with no compression or gaps the manufacturer s r value mark is readily available and meets the approved r value per construction documents.
Attic knee wall insulation r value.
A 1 5 wide strip of 3 4 polyiso held in place with a 1 5 wide strip of 3 4 cdx or 1x furring doubles the r value of 2x4 framing and 5 deep cavity can fit a compressed r20 which would deliver a true r18 3 slightly better than an r19 stuffed in a 5 5 deep 2x6 cavity.
Georgia recognized this problem about a decade ago and started requiring all attic kneewalls to have sheathing on the attic side and to be insulated to at least r 18.
Bring the attic inside insulating between the rafters simplifies the air sealing details.
Insulating this space inside the knee wall improves the energy efficiency of the home and prevents heat transfer from the attic.
The best way to provide that sheathing is to use a rigid material.
Walls are entered by the type of assembly and the r value of insulation.
All r values are insulation only tested labeled per ftc rule16 cfr 460.
By adding an r19 to the existing r13 cavity insulation the knee wall assembly total r value is near r30 and is air tight.
Don t forget to verify that the r value of the roof insulation meets minimum code.
This gives a total r value of r 17 r 13 fiberglass plus r 4 for the solar guard sometimes we will change the solar guard out for r 30 fiberglass rolls which gives a total r value of r 43.
According to a report by the washing state university extension energy program blown in fiberglass insulation provides an r value of between 2 2 and 2 7 per inch.
Now that the kneewall is located within the home s thermal enclosure it s no longer necessary to air seal electrical boxes or access doors in the kneewall.
At an r6 per inch it provides an air barrier and outstanding thermal break.
This knee wall has been encapsulated with 2 part closed cell spray foam.
A 2 x 4 wall cavity with blown in fiberglass insulation will provide on average an r 13 to r 15 insulation value.
One downs side to spray foam down side is cost.