R60 Insulation Thickness Guide (Table for All Types)

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), homeowners can save up to an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by sealing and insulating their homes. 

The key to high-performing insulation is using the right insulation thickness for your project and climate. In this article, I provide information on the appropriate locations and climates for R60 insulation. I also provide a detailed thickness guide for the different insulation materials.

Not Many Places Require R60 Insulation

The R-value of an insulation material is used to measure its level of heat resistance, specifically to heat conduction.

The R-value required for your project would be determined by the installation location as well as the climate of your locality. 

As a general rule, the higher the R-value of a material, the greater its thermal insulation performance. 

R60 insulation is considered a heavy-duty rating and is only required in locations that need high levels of thermal resistance like extremely cold regions and uninsulated attics. 

Depending on the insulation material and quality of installation, using R60 insulation can reduce heat loss by about 98%. 

That being said, using R60 for a project that requires R30 to R49 insulation doesn’t guarantee superior thermal protection. 

R60 Insulation Primarily Used in Attics/Ceilings

R60 insulation is designed for locations that require high thermal protection. 

The upper areas of the house (ceilings and attics) are prone to temperature extremes throughout the year. As a result, they require greater thermal resistance than other locations like floors and walls. 

They are the location where heat gathers and is lost, which makes them problematic all year round.

Unventilated or poorly ventilated ceilings or attics can account for about 25%-35% of the total heat loss in a house.  

Hot air rises, so during the winter months, you might lose a substantial amount of conditioned air if your attic or ceiling isn’t properly insulated, resulting in an increase in energy expenses.

Only Some Climate Zones Require R60

States in the US are divided into climate zones based on the prevailing weather conditions in the regions. 

Knowing your climate zone will help with choosing the right insulation material for your project. 

Table N1102.1.3 of the International Residential Code (IRC) outlines the required R-values for the different climate zones. According to the table, R60 is required for ceiling insulation in zones 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Compared to zones 1-3, zones 4-8 are characterized by cooler weather conditions. Hence, the need for the improved thermal resistance provided by R60 insulation. 

As a general rule, higher climate zone figures indicate colder weather conditions.

Here is a look at the climate in the different zones listed for R60 insulation. 

Climate Zone	Prevailing Weather Conditions
Zone 4A	Mixed humid
Zone 4B	Mixed dry
Zone 4C	Mixed marine
Zone 5A	Cool humid
Zone 5B	Cool dry
Zone 5C	Cool marine
Zone 6A	Cold humid
Zone 6B	Cold dry
Zone 7	Very cold
Zone 8	Subarctic/arctic

It’s important to note that climate zones overlap between states and your state can belong to multiple climate zones. For instance, New York includes zones 4, 5, and 6, while California has five different climate zones (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6). 

To be safe, check with your local building code before proceeding with your project. 

Examples of states that require R60 insulation include Alaska, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, and New York. 

R60 Insulation Thickness Guide: Table

Insulation Type	Inherent R-value (per inch thickness)	Thickness to achieve R60	Best-selling option
Loose-fill fiberglass	R3.1	16″-20″	Owens Corning Atticat Expanding Fiberglass Insulation
Loose-fill mineral wool	R3.1	8″-12″	ROCKWOOL Stone Wool  Insulation Granulate
Loose-fill cellulose	R3.4	15″-20″	ThermoFloc Loose Fill Cellulose Insulation
Fiberglass batt	R2.5	20″-26″	Owens Corning Kraft Faced Fiberglass Insulation Batt
Mineral wool batt	R3.4	12″-18″	Rockwool
Plastic fiber batt	R3.8	14.7″-16″	Supersoft Recycled Plastic Insulation
Natural fiber batt	R3.4	15″	UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Batt Insulation
Open-cell polyurethane spray foam	R3.6	10″-14″	Versi Foam Open Cell Spray Foam Kit
Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam	R6	6″-10″	Heatlok HFO Pro Spray Foam Insulation
Foam boards	R5	15″-17″	Owens Corning FOAMULAR Rigid Foam Board Insulation

Diminishing Returns?

When comparing R60 and R49 insulation, the decision hinges on the balance between increased effectiveness and the additional cost. R60 insulation offers a higher R-value, stopping about 98% of heat loss, while R49 is slightly lower.

The higher the R-value, the better the insulation is at preventing heat transfer. However, the key question is whether the jump from R49 to R60 justifies the extra expense.

While R60 insulation provides increased resistance to heat transfer, it may not always result in a significantly higher level of effectiveness compared to R49. Factors such as the unique structure of your home, the color of roof shingles, roof ventilation, and sunlight exposure can impact the insulation’s overall performance.

If you live in an area with less extreme weather conditions, the difference between R49 and R60 may not be substantial enough to warrant the higher cost.

In essence, choosing between R60 and R49 involves assessing your specific climate, budget, and the structural characteristics of your home. If the climate necessitates R60 according to building codes, it might be a worthwhile investment.

However, if you’re considering it as an optional addition, carefully weigh the benefits against the cost to determine if the extra insulation value aligns with your needs and budget or if it represents diminishing returns for your particular situation.

Sources 

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P2/chapter-11-re-energy-efficiency#IRC2021P2_Pt04_Ch11_SecN1102.1.3

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/guide_to_home_insulation.pdf

https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/identify_problems_you_want_fix/diy_checks_inspections/insulation_r_values

https://insulationinstitute.org/im-a-homeowner/about-insulation/how-much-do-i-need/

https://www.pjfitz.com/blog/insulation-installation/9795/

https://www.tfofl.com/how-insulation-works#