The R-value measures what aspect of a building?

The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance, which indicates how well a building element, such as insulation, slows the transfer of heat. A higher R-value signifies greater insulation effectiveness, meaning it can better keep heat or cold from moving in and out of a structure. This is particularly important for energy efficiency, as buildings with improved thermal resistance can reduce heating and cooling costs by maintaining a stable indoor temperature.

While sound insulation, weight capacity, and structural integrity are important aspects of building design and construction, they are measured by different criteria and metrics. Sound insulation relates to how well a material can reduce noise transmission, weight capacity concerns how much load a structural element can safely support, and structural integrity assesses the overall strength and robustness of a building. Therefore, focusing on thermal resistance is essential for understanding how well a building manages energy efficiency and comfort through proper insulation.