1. 2x4 w/ Cardboard sheathing and batt fiberglass R-13 insulation
Price Per SqFt: $1.62
Effective R-value of opaque assembly = 10.526
Pros: Inexpensive
Cons: Hard to install correctly because it is not very durable. Easy for other trades to damage. Thermal breaks because insulation isn’t continuous. Fiberglass batts are hard to install effectively.

2. 2x4 w/ osb, standard house wrap, and batt fiberglass R-13 insulation
Price Per SqFt: $2.18 (+35% from last assembly)
Effective R-value of opaque assembly = 11.11
Pros: Inexpensive. Most builders are experienced with this technique. Can tape the seams for improved air sealing.
Cons: Air barrier and WRB are seperate. Thermal breaks because insulation isn’t continuous. Easier to damage than WRB that is already bonded to the sheathing. Fiberglass batts are hard to install effectively.

3. 2x4 w/ zip and batt Rockwool R-15 insulation
Price Per SqFt: $2.63 (+21% from last assembly)
Effective R-value of opaque assembly = 11.905
Pros: WRB and air barrier is one unit and easy to install. Most builders should have no problem as it is the same as OSB/Plywood sheathing. Rockwool is fire resistant, hydrophobic, and easier to install effectively.
Cons: More expensive than OSB and house wrap.

4. 2x4 w/ zip R-3 and batt Rockwool R-15 insulation
Price Per SqFt: $2.95 (+12% from last assembly)
Effective R-value of opaque assembly = 14.7
Pros: Continuous exterior insulation = less chance of condensation on back side of sheathing. Standard 2x4 construction all builders are familiar with.
Cons: More expensive than standard OSB and house wrap. Nailing sheathing with insulation is new to some builders.

5. 2x6 w/ plywood, Aluma Flash peel-and-stick, and batt rockwool R-23 insulation
Price Per SqFt: $4.17 (+41% from last assembly)
Effective R-value of opaque assembly = 16.949
Pros: 2x6 should be easy for all builders to work with. Increased cavity depth = more insulation. Peel-and-stick WRB are easy to install, fairly durable, and not reliant on mechanical fasteners.
Cons: More expensive. No continuous exterior insulation = Thermal breaks in assembly.

Huge thanks to   / lvarni   for the Wall Assembly Renderings!

Different Types of Wall Assemblies
(Low to High performing framing assemblies)
R-value, pros, cons, price breakdown
Assembly R-value Calculator - https://www.appliedbuildingtech.com/f...

* Prices only reflect lumber, insulation, WRB, and Sheathing of assemblies from my local lumber yard. Does not include hardware, fasteners, tapes, flashings, labor, etc. Used a 8’ x 8’ wall assembly to calculate.
* As you upgrade your wall assembly materials and methods, it is just as important to upgrade any other parts of the assembly that affect the performance such as windows and doors. This is just a look at the framing, sheathing, and WRB assemblies relating to R-values

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