About InsulationRValues.com
Our Mission
InsulationRValues.com is the most comprehensive, unbiased insulation resource on the web. We provide expert guides, interactive calculators, and data-driven recommendations to help homeowners, contractors, and building professionals make informed decisions about insulation.
Why We Built This Resource
We've pulled soggy fiberglass out of hundreds of crawl spaces. We've seen attics insulated to R-60 with massive air leaks that rendered the insulation nearly useless. We've watched homeowners waste thousands of dollars on the wrong insulation type because they didn't understand climate zone requirements.
The insulation industry is full of conflicting information — manufacturer marketing, contractor upsells, and outdated advice that doesn't reflect current building science. We created InsulationRValues.com to cut through the noise with clear, practical guidance backed by real data.
Meet Our Team
Our team combines decades of field experience with formal building science credentials. These aren't writers copying manufacturer brochures — they're practitioners who've installed, inspected, and diagnosed insulation systems in every climate zone.
Michael Torres
Editor-in-Chief
BPI Building Analyst, RESNET HERS Rater
Michael has spent 15+ years in residential energy efficiency, starting as an insulation installer and working his way up to energy auditor. He has personally inspected over 2,000 homes and seen every insulation mistake in the book — from compressed batts behind wiring to vapor barriers on the wrong side. His mission is to help homeowners avoid costly errors by understanding the science behind R-value.
Sarah Chen
Technical Reviewer
Licensed General Contractor, Energy Star Partner
Sarah runs a weatherization contracting company in the Pacific Northwest. She specializes in crawl space and basement insulation in marine climates, where moisture management is critical. With over 10 years of field experience, she brings practical installation knowledge to every article review — ensuring our guides reflect real-world conditions, not just manufacturer spec sheets.
David Ramirez
Content Director
Building Science Researcher
David spent 8 years at a building performance research organization before joining InsulationRValues.com. He translates complex building science into practical guidance, drawing on research from ORNL, Building Science Corporation, and DOE programs. He ensures every claim we make is backed by peer-reviewed data or field-verified testing.
Our Editorial Process
We don't publish content to hit a word count. Every article goes through a rigorous process to ensure accuracy, practicality, and usefulness.
Research
Every article starts with data from authoritative sources: DOE energy guidelines, ORNL research publications, IECC building codes, and manufacturer technical specifications.
Field Verification
Our team includes practicing contractors who verify that recommendations work in real-world conditions — not just laboratory settings.
Technical Review
Before publication, a certified building analyst or licensed contractor reviews every article for accuracy and practical applicability.
Annual Updates
We review all content annually and update when building codes change, new products enter the market, or better data becomes available.
Our Sources
We draw on authoritative sources for R-value data, building code requirements, and energy efficiency recommendations:
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) — Energy efficiency guidelines and insulation recommendations by climate zone
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) — Building envelope research and whole-wall R-value data
- Building Science Corporation (BSC) — Moisture management and building assembly research
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Minimum R-value requirements by climate zone
- Energy Star — Retrofit recommendations and program specifications
- Manufacturer Technical Data — Product-specific R-values from Owens Corning, Rockwool, Johns Manville, and others
Our Independence
InsulationRValues.com is not affiliated with any manufacturer, retailer, or installation company. We are not paid to recommend specific brands or products. Our recommendations are based on building science data, field experience, and cost-effectiveness — not marketing partnerships.
How We're Supported
InsulationRValues.com is supported by display advertising (through Raptive) and affiliate links to retailers like Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe's. When you purchase products through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Important: Affiliate relationships never influence our recommendations. We recommend products based on building science data and field performance — not commission rates. Many of our top recommendations aren't even available through affiliate programs.
Content Updates
Building codes and product specifications change. We review all content annually and update articles when:
- IECC building codes are updated
- Product specifications change significantly
- New building science research becomes available
- Readers report errors or outdated information
Each article displays its last updated date. If you find an error or outdated information, please contact us.
Get in Touch
Have questions, corrections, or partnership inquiries? We'd love to hear from you.
info@insulationrvalues.com