Radiant barriers & insulation prevent conductive, convective and radiant heat transfer in and out of the home. They work independently or with traditional attic insulation materials like fiberglass and spray foam.
Radiant barriers have low emittance and high reflectivity. Ultimate Radiant Barrier & Insulation comes in both breathable and non-breathable versions.
Reflective Foil Insulation
Many builders and homeowners recognize the need for energy-efficient homes. As such, they are looking for ways to reduce the time the home air conditioning unit needs to run to keep their home comfortable. One way to do this is by installing radiant barrier insulation in the attic space.
Unlike fiberglass insulation, which relies on its R-Value alone to insulate, reflective foil insulation relies on the fact that heat is transferred through radiation. The foil acts as a mirror that reflects the sun’s heat away from the attic, helping to keep the home cooler and decreasing the load on an air conditioner.
Foil insulation is very thin and lightweight, making it a good choice for use in attics where there is a lot of ventilation space. It is also resistant to extreme temperatures and moisture – which is important because it prevents the formation of mold and mildew that can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
The product is typically made of foam or bubbles enveloped by two or more surfaces of reflective foil. The foil surfaces cannot touch each other, which helps to prevent moisture and condensation from forming inside the attic. This type of insulation is best installed in a home with a vented attic system, which allows water vapor that seeps into the attic to escape through roof ridge vents or wind-powered turbine vents.
This type of insulation can be placed in attics, walls and crawl spaces in addition to under floors. It is installed by draping it over the attic joists or trusses, with the foil facing downward. This product can also be rolled out directly on top of existing attic insulation to improve its performance, but it is essential that gaps are left at the bottom and top of the joists or trusses. These gaps allow any moisture that seeps into the attic to move easily towards the exterior of the home through roof ridge vents.
This type of insulation is extremely effective in hot climates, where it can significantly reduce cooling costs and help avoid the need to install a larger air conditioning system. It can even be used to replace conventional attic insulation in cool climates, but it is generally more cost-effective to add more traditional insulation rather than a radiant barrier.
Laminate Foil Insulation
A radiant barrier is a reflective insulation that reduces summer heat gain by absorbing and reflecting radiant energy instead of allowing it to pass through the ceiling. It is often supplemented with thermal insulation that slows down conduction and convection. This type of insulation is not as thick as fiberglass options, but it offers superior acoustical performance and can increase the home’s R-value by about 50 percent.
Radiant barriers can be used alone or in combination with other insulation types to achieve the desired level of R-value in your attic. It can also be used to insulate floors and under floor coverings, such as laminate, vinyl or carpet. It is a great choice for new construction and retrofits. It is very durable and easy to install, as it can be cut to length with scissors or a utility knife. It also resists fire and moisture, making it ideal for use in attics.
Foil faced fiberglass is one of the most commonly installed insulation materials in homes. It is made from fiberglass with a thin foil face, which helps to block out the sun’s heat and ultraviolet rays that can damage wood framing. It is highly effective in reducing the heat in attics, and it can be installed under or over existing insulation to improve its performance.
If you want to install a radiant barrier on your own, it is important to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. It is also essential to choose a product that is rated for safety and strength, has good water vapor permeability and meets the national standards for flammability.
A radiant barrier is a reflective material that can be used in place of traditional fiberglass insulation to reduce cooling costs in warm climates. When installed in an attic, it can help to reduce summer heat gain and cool the house by keeping hot air out and allowing cooler air to come in through the ceiling. When combined with a properly sized and functioning air conditioning system, it can result in significant energy savings. In addition, it can improve the comfort of a room, and in some cases, may even eliminate the need for an air conditioner altogether.
Vacuum-Applied Foil Insulation
Imagine you park your car under a nice thick shade tree on a hot 100o day. The sun’s heat can still hit the interior of your vehicle, but because the shade is blocking radiant energy from the direct contact with the surface inside your car, the heat will be reflected off of the inner surface and the temperature inside your vehicle will lower to that of the ambient (the actual air surrounding you) temperature. This is exactly how radiant barriers work.
Radiant barrier is an insulation that works to block radiant energy rather than absorbing it. As such, it can significantly reduce cooling costs in warm climates and may allow for a smaller air conditioning system to be installed in your home. In cool climates, however, it is typically more cost-effective to add thermal insulation to the attic to slow conductive heat loss and gain.
A radiant barrier is typically composed of aluminum foil that is bonded to one or more substrate materials including kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, oriented strand board and an air infiltration barrier material. Some products are even fiber-reinforced to increase durability.
The best radiant barrier products are manufactured using a middle layer of high strength woven fabric which increases the durability and tear-resistance of the product while maintaining an exceptionally low emissivity rating. To maintain this extremely low emissivity rating, the woven core material must be deposited under vacuum. In addition to this extreme level of physical integrity, a thin proprietary anticorrosive coating is applied to both the exterior and internal metalized film surfaces to keep the foil reflective and prevent corrosion of the aluminum.
When a radiant barrier is used as an insulation in new construction, it can be pre-laminated to OSB panels or roof sheathing. This application method can save labor and installation time as well as eliminate the need to add thermal insulation to the attic. The insulating value of a radiant barrier in this type of application is determined by the R-Value of the foam insulation plus the insulating value of the dead air space and the reflective foil laminated to it.
Reflective Coated Foil Insulation
Often referred to as reflective insulation or radiant barrier foil insulation, this type of product is made up of layers of foam or bubbles and is enveloped by two or more surfaces of a highly-reflective aluminum foil. Foam and bubble products are available in various thicknesses, while some are fiber-reinforced for added strength. Some reflective insulation is also combined with fiberglass insulating products to form insulation systems that work against both convective and radiant heat transfer, while preventing the penetration of air moisture into a home or building.
Reflective insulation is a cost-effective option for reducing energy costs. It works by reflecting radiant heat back through the roof and into the living space below, keeping summer heat out and winter heat in, saving homeowners money on energy bills year round. Reflective insulation can be installed in a variety of ways, and is commonly used in attics or other hard-to-reach spaces.
Although there are a lot of different options in the market, when selecting a reflective insulation or radiant barrier foil, it’s best to consult with a reputable and experienced insulation company that can provide expert advice and recommendations for your specific needs. There are a number of important things to look for, including material makeup and quality. Look for a premium reflective insulation product that has a layer of no tear material between the layers of foil, and a second layer of foam or poly to add strength and compression resistance.
The most effective and durable product is a radiant barrier that has undergone current ASTM C1313 testing. Look for this information on the packaging to be sure you are purchasing a high-quality reflective insulation.
Foil insulation is a quick and easy way to reduce your home’s energy costs. It can be easily installed in attics and other areas with a minimum of disruption to your home’s existing insulation. It is recommended that it be installed with the foil surface facing downward, as this helps to prevent dust accumulation on the reflective surface. This will help the radiant barrier perform as efficiently as possible.
