Empire Comfort Systems Archway 1700 Manuel D'installation Et D'opération page 45

9.2.3 R Value
There are two ways to calculate the R-value of the floor protection. First, by adding the R-values of
materials used, or by the conversion if the K factor and thickness of the floor protection are given.
To calculate the total R value from R values of the materials used, simply add the R-values of materials.
If the result is equal to or greater than the R-value requirements, the combination is acceptable.
R-values of some selected materials are shown below :
Table 5 : Thermal Characteristics of Common Floor Protection Materials*
MATERIAL
Micore® 160
Micore® 300
Durock®
Hardibacker®
Hardibacker® 500
Wonderboard®
Cement mortar
Common brick
Face brick
Marble
Ceramic tile
Concrete
Mineral wool insulation
Limestone
Ceramic board (Fibremax)
Horizontal still air (⅛"thick)
*Information as reported by manufacturers and other resources
** Horizontal still air can't be «stack» to accumulate R-values; each layer must be separated with another non-combustible material.
Example:
Required floor protection R of 1.00. Proposed materials: four inches of brick and one inch of
Durock® board.
Four inches of brick (R = 4 x 0,2 = 0,8) plus 1 inch of Durock® (R = 1 x 0.52 = 0.52).
This R value is larger than the required 1.00 and is therefore acceptable.
In the case of a known K and thickness of alternative materials to be used in combination,
convert all K values to R by dividing the thickness of each material by its K value. Add R values
of the proposed materials as shown in the previous example.
Example:
K value = 0.75
Thickness = 1
R value = Thickness/K = 1/0.75 = 1.33
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CONDUCTIVITY (K)
PER INCH
0.39
0.49
1.92
1.95
2.3
3.23
5.00
5.00
9.00
14.3 – 20.00
12.5
1.050
0.320
6.5
0.450
0.135
0.8 + 0.52 = 1.32.
RESISTANCE (R) PER INCH
THICKNESS
2.54
2.06
0.52
0.51
0.44
0.31
0.2
0.2
0.11
0.07 – 0.05
0.008
0.950
3.120
0.153
2.2
0.920**