R-Value Chart • 38 Types of Insulation & Roofing Materials

(Includes RSI Values)

By Jack Gray, Roof Online Editor • Last updated September 8, 2022

To learn more about R-value, see our R-Value page.

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Table of Contents

R-value Chart
R-value for this 3.5-inch thick composite polyiso insulation board is 19.5

About This R-Value Chart

The following R-value chart provides typical roof insulation R-values, other building insulation R-values, and the R-value of roofing materials like shingles and single-ply membranes (roof covering materials), as well as a few other building materials. RSI values are given as well.

These R-values were taken from manufacturer technical data sheets and are the reported R-values per inch of actual products. In a few cases, the R-values we give were taken from a non-manufacturer source that we consider to be trustworthy and accurate.

In all cases, this R-value chart is intended only as a general guide to material R-values.

Check with the Manufacturer

If you’re trying to calculate precise roof R-value for a real-life installation, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s product data sheets for the actual, specific product that you are using or planning to use.

You can also contact the technical department of the product manufacturer or material provider, they’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Our R-value chart provides typical R-values for the materials listed, but actual products may vary somewhat.

R-Value vs. RSI

R-value is used in the United States. RSI (R-value Système Internationalis the metric equivalent.

To convert the R-value of a specific thickness of a material to RSI, divide the R-Value by 5.67826. To convert RSI to R-value, multiply the RSI by 5.67826. For example, two inches of extruded polystyrene, with an R-value of 11, has an RSI of 1.93721.

R-Value and Energy Codes

Please note that the R-values for roof membranes, shingles, tiles, air films, and roof deck materials will probably not be permitted by your local code to be included when total roof assembly R-value is being calculated for the purpose of satisfying energy code requirements.

Always check with your local code authority to find out your current local R-value requirements as well as which materials or parts of a building component you are permitted to use when you calculate the total R-value of a system.

R-Value Chart for 38 Materials

Note: While the R-value for a material is typically given per inch, the RSI is typically given per millimeter, so please be aware that the R-Values and RSI values for the materials in the following R-value chart are not for equivalent thicknesses.

Note: Our R-value chart provides R-values for roof coverings such as roof shingles and single-ply roof membranes. These R-values are the totals for the typical as-installed thicknesses of those materials. They are not R-values per inch for the material.

R-Value of Roofing Materials and Building Insulation
Material R-Value per Inch (ft²·°F·hr/BTU) RSI per Millimeter (K·m²/W) R-Value for TYPICAL INSTALLED Thickness
(NOT per Inch)
Source
Asphalt Shingles 0.44 National Roofing Contractors Association
Built-up Roof Membrane, Gravel-Surfaced (Membrane and Gravel Only) 0.33 National Roofing Contractors Association
Built-up Roof Membrane, Smooth-Surfaced (Membrane Only) 0.24 National Roofing Contractors Association
Cellulose, Blown (Attic) 3.8 0.02638 Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association
Cellulose, Blown (Wall) 3.8 0.02638 Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association
Cellulose, Wet Spray 3.75 0.02598 International Cellulose Corporation
Concrete, Lightweight Insulating 0.90 – 1.49 0.00630 – 0.01024 Siplast
Concrete, Structural (140 pcf) 0.08 0.00040 Siplast
EPDM Roof Membrane, Ballasted (Membrane and Ballast Only) 0.33 National Roofing Contractors Association
EPDM Roof Membrane, Fully-Adhered or Mechanically-Attached (Membrane Only) 0.24 National Roofing Contractors Association
Fiber Cement Shingles 0.21 National Roofing Contractors Association
Fiberglass, Batt 3.14 – 4.29 0.02165 – 0.02992 Johns Manville
Fiberglass, Blown (Attic) 2.12 – 4.0 0.01457 – 0.02756 Johns Manville
Fiberglass, Blown (Wall) 4.0 – 4.3 0.02756 – 0.02992 Johns Manville
Fiberglass, Rigid Board 4.3 – 4.5 0.02992 – 0.03110 Johns Manville
Gypsum Board 0.90 – 1.12 0.00630 – 0.00787 United States Gypsum Company; Georgia-Pacific
Metal Roof Panels No Useful R-Value National Roofing Contractors Association
Mineral Wool, Batt 4.0 – 4.22 0.02756 – 0.02913 Owens Corning
Mineral Wool, Blown (Attic) 2.95 – 3.39 0.02047 – 0.02362 Owens Corning; American Rockwool Manufacturing
Mineral Wool (Rigid Board) 3.8 0.02638 Rockwool Group
Modified Bitumen Roof Membrane, Granule-Surfaced (Membrane Only) 0.15 National Roofing Contractors Association
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) 1.0 – 1.24 0.00709 – 0.00866 Minnesota Sustainable Housing Initiative
Perlite Cover Board 2.64 0.01811 Johns Manville
Phenolic Foam Board 6.7 – 7.5 0.04646 – 0.05197 Dow Chemical Company
Plywood 1.0 – 1.24 0.00709 – 0.00866 Minnesota Sustainable Housing Initiative
Polyiso Insulation (Polyisocyanurate) 5.0 (NRCA)
5.7 (PIMA)
0.03465 (NRCA)
0.03937 (PIMA)
National Roofing Contractors Association;
Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Polystyrene, Expanded (EPS) 3.85 – 4.5 0.02677 – 0.03110 Insulation Technology, Inc.; ACH Foam Technologies
Polystyrene, Extruded (XPS) 5.0 – 5.5 0.03465 – 0.03819 XPSA (Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association)
PVC Roof Membrane, Fully-Adhered or Mechanically-Attached (Membrane Only) 0.24 National Roofing Contractors Association
Slate Roofing 0.05 National Roofing Contractors Association
Sprayed Polyurethane Foam (Closed Cell)) 4.9 – 7.1 0.03386 – 0.04921 Icynene, Inc.
Sprayed Polyurethane Foam (Open Cell) 3.7 – 4.0 0.02559 – 0.02756 Icynene, Inc.
Tile Roofing, Including Batten System and Air Space 2.95 Boral Roofing
TPO Roof Membrane, Fully-Adhered or Mechanically-Attached (Membrane Only) 0.24 National Roofing Contractors Association
Wood Fiberboard 2.5 0.01732 Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc
Wood Shakes and Shingles
(Cedar)
0.94 National Roofing Contractors Association
Wood (Typical Hardwood) 0.7 0.00472 U.S. Department of Energy
Wood (Typical Softwood) 1.4 0.00984 U.S. Department of Energy

About the Author

Jack Gray is a principal roof consultant and vice president at the Moriarty Corporation, an award-winning building enclosure consultant firm founded in 1967. He is also the editor of the Roof Online website.

Mr. Gray has been involved in the roofing industry for over 25 years, with training and practical experience in roof safety, roof inspection, roof installation, roof condition assessment, estimating, roof design & specification, quality assurance, roof maintenance & repair, and roof asset management.

He was awarded the Registered Roof Observer (RRO) professional credential in 2009.

He also served as an infantry paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and attended Cornell University. Read full bio.


  1. 64 Types of Roofing • Complete List of Roofing Materials
  2. Building Codes and Roofs
  3. Building Insulation
  4. Energy Codes and Roofs
  5. R-Value and Roofs
  6. Types of Roof Insulation