Bubble Wrap Insulation R Value

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.
Bubble wrap insulation r value. 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. Some of the better manufactures state in fine print when you can find it the conductive r value of their products. A single pane window has an r value of 8. The approximate r value of the air space would be about 1.
It does as you point out change the conductive properties. The r value of 3 8 inch thick foil faced expanded polystyrene foam is about 1 6. Bubble wrap works as insulation because it raises your windows r value. However we see claims of up to r 14 for some bubble products.
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. Video library for addition videos. The higher the r value the less heat escapes. Bubble wrap will instantly increase the insulation r value resistance to heat flow of your windows by a factor of 1 one.
By contrast 2 inches of extruded polystyrene insulation has an r value of 10. 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.
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. How to install bubble wrap on windows. Most metallic bubble wraps are about an r 1. An r value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a material s thickness.