R-Values and U-Factors of Single Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls
Single wythe concrete masonry walls are often constructed of hollow units with cores filled with insulation and/or grout. This construction method allows insulation and reinforcement to be used to increase thermal and structural performance, respectively, without increasing the wall thickness.
R-Values of Multi-Wythe Concrete Masonry Walls
Multi-wythe concrete masonry construction lends itself to placing insulation between two wythes of masonry when the wythes are separated to form a cavity. Placing insulation between two wythes of masonry offers maximum protection for the insulation while allowing a vast amount of the thermal mass to be exposed to the conditioned interior to help moderate temperatures. Masonry cavity walls can easily meet or exceed energy code requirements, because the cavity installation allows a continuous layer of insulation to envelop the masonry. When properly sealed, this continuous insulation layer can also increase energy efficiency by mitigating air infiltration/exfiltration.