Concrete blocks are everywhere. Concrete blocks build walls and even entire structures due to their incredible structural strength. However, insulation is also an essential aspect of any design, and many people have questions about the insulation properties of concrete blocks.
Concrete blocks provide very little insulation. Concrete blocks have poor thermal resistance. Therefore they do not effectively trap heat. As a result, concrete blocks without any other forms of insulation will not provide sufficient insulation for most structures.
Keep reading to learn more about the insulation properties of concrete blocks. I will explore the heat resistance value of concrete blocks alongside whether your house needs additional insulation to keep your home warm. By the end of this article, you will have gained better insight into the insulation properties of concrete blocks.
Table of Contents
Are Concrete Block Homes Insulated?
People often use concrete blocks to build structures like sheds and even homes.
Concrete blocks are robust, durable, and long-lasting, making them ideal for structures. However, some people wonder whether concrete blocks offer enough insulation on their own, especially in a building where people will live.
Concrete block homes are insulated. Houses built using concrete blocks will not have sufficient insulation without added layers. In most cases, a layer of insulation is added to the interior of the concrete blocks, which significantly enhances the insulation in the home.
There are various materials used to provide insulation for concrete block homes.
The most common forms of insulation used include spray foam, foam injection, and loose-fill insulation. These materials are dense and easy to use, making temperature control easy.
A concrete block home will require insulation to meet building codes depending on where you live. The thickness or efficacy required from the insulation will vary also.
These rules are in place to reduce energy consumption in homes. Ultimately, using the proper building materials can save homeowners money on their utility costs and support the environment’s health.
What Is the R-Value of an 8 Inch Concrete Block?
Concrete blocks come in an array of shapes and sizes. However, concrete blocks are usually 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide in most structures. Insulation is scored in materials using the r value as a scale.
The r-value of an 8-inch concrete block is between R 1.9 and R 2.5. The variation in r-value is due to the variations in density and compositions of different concrete blocks. Still, this r-value is far too low for a home, so insulating is critical.
R-value is a rating given to walls, ceilings, and flooring to indicate how resistant the structure is to heat conduction. A high score indicates high amounts of resonance to conduction, resulting in better heat insulation.
The recommended r-value for a home exterior wall varies depending on the climate and conditions. However, a home should have an r-value of at least R13. In some cases, homes need an R-value of R23 to meet building requirements. Concrete blocks fall a long way short of these requirements on their own.
Do Concrete Basement Walls Need Insulation?
One of the more common uses for concrete block walls is in the basement of a home.
The basement of a property is an essential aspect of insulation, yet it’s also the most likely place to find exposed concrete walls inside a home. That begs the question, are basement concrete walls required to have insulation?
Concrete basement walls need insulation. Basement concrete walls will significantly reduce the r-value of your home without insulation. Insulating concrete basement walls will reduce your home’s energy usage, saving you money on energy bills for heating and cooling.
Concrete basement walls provide little resistance to heat. As a result, your home will poorly retain the desired temperature as it will constantly allow warmth or cold to pass through the walls from the ground outside. Therefore, adding insulation is a wise move.
You can also add insulation to the exterior of basement walls during new construction. Doing so offers vast advantages, including added protection against mold and water damages while also enhancing the insulation properties of the home.
If you have exposed concrete walls in your basement and don’t have exterior insulation, you should consider insulating your basement. While the initial cost of adding insulation to your basement might be high, over time, you will likely save more on your energy bills than you paid for the installation.
On top of this, some governments offer grants and incentives to help you pay for insulation. Better insulation reduces energy requirements for an area, which helps states reduce costs and our dependence on fossil fuels.
In recent years, reducing fossil fuel usage has become a priority of many national and local governments. A significant aspect of our fossil fuel usage is heating and cooling properties. Therefore, if a government can reduce the amount of energy needed to control the temperature in a home, it can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Is Interior or Exterior Insulation Better for Concrete?
As I’ve already clearly established by this stage, concrete block walls need insulation when used in a home. However, you can add insulation to both the interior and exterior of a structure. So is it best to add insulation to the outside or inside a concrete block wall?
Exterior insulation is better for concrete block walls as long as the concrete block wall is installed correctly and in good condition. However, exterior insulation can negatively affect aesthetics and is not permitted in some areas. On top of this, external insulation is costly to install.
Exterior concrete block wall insulation provides your home with a protective barrier that encloses the structure. This outer layer prevents the concrete walls themselves from external conditions. As a result, exterior insulation often performs better than interior wall insulation on a concrete block wall.
Interior insulation of concrete block walls is more common. That is due to the straightforward nature of the installation and the relatively inexpensive materials used. As a result, interior insulation is the more common of the pair.
Determining which form of insulation is better for a concrete brick wall is not as straightforward as it seems. The best variety of insulation will vary depending on where you live, the shape of your home, and the local laws and regulations.
The high initial installation cost for exterior wall insulation makes it unaffordable for some people. As a result, they could put themselves in a tight spot financially, defeating the purpose of paying for installation in the first place.
Therefore, you will need to assess your specific situation before deciding which option is best. It would help if you also researched recommendations, rules, and requirements for insulation on walls in your local area. Doing so will provide you with an indication of which variety is best for your home.
Final Thoughts
Concrete blocks provide very little insulation to a structure. Its r-value scores a structure’s insulation. A high r-value indicates good quality insulation, while a low r-value indicates poor insulation. Homes’ recommended R-value varies between R 13 and R23 depending on location, and concrete blocks have an r-value of R1.8 to R 2.5.
As a result, concrete block walls require additional insulation on the exterior or interior of the structure. This added insulation increases the r-value of the building and reduces the energy needed to heat and cool the property.
