Installing Attic Radiant Barrier Between The Rafters
Using a radiant barrier.
Installing attic radiant barrier between the rafters. The first is stapling foil to the bottom of the roof rafters the second is laying it out over the existing attic ceiling insulation. This step makes the installation go easier because it. Install furring strips to the underside of. This works best if you measure the height of the rafter bay and cut several pieces at a time.
Unroll and staple reflective insulation to the under side of the rafters. The heat from the roof then travels into the attic. Before the roof sheathing is applied the radiant barrier is draped over the rafters or trusses in a way that allows the product to droop 1 1 2 to 3 inches between each rafter. Measure and cut the foil before going in the attic.
Which type of radiant barrier is best. Staples should be placed 14 to 18 inches apart. Install unfaced mass insulation between rafters ensuring a minimum of 1 ventilation space between the mass insulation. In an open framed attic it is generally easiest to install the strips of radiant barrier roof material across the attic perpendicular to the direction of the roof joists overlapping each run by about 2 inches.
In locations 3 and 4 the radiant barrier is attached to either the faces or bottoms of the rafters or top chords of the roof trusses. Start by cutting your pieces first. One of the reasons our radiant barrier products are so popular with diy homeowners and professional radiant barrier installers is that they are inexpensive and easy to install. Methods like the flat top and the hybrid are just modifications of the standard staple up method.
Radiant barrier paint performed the worse providing a heat decrease in the conditioned space of around 19. For the majority of installations there are basically two different methods used to install radiant barrier foil in an attic. Some of these installation methods are preferred over others but all have sufficient research and. A control study was published in 2013 showing the radiant barrier effectiveness of paint foil backed sheathing and foil that was stapled onto the rafters.
A radiant barrier discussed in further detail within this article will stop the radiant heat from reaching the attic. Seal all seams with aluminum foil tape. Determine how much you need. For attics with truss systems use the 26 wide radiant barrier that is specifically made for easy vertical installation.
Radiant heat can affect the air ducts. How to install radiant barrier on attic rafters in 5 steps step 1. Roofs under 8 ft tall from inside the attic sq footage x 1 2 for really. To expedite the install process we recommend cutting the foil pieces outside the attic space.
The most effective place to install a radiant barrier is underneath the bottom truss of the roof deck. Installation methods include radiant barrier draped over the rafters applied directly to the roof sheathing stapling to the bottom of the rafters and even laying radiant barrier on top of the attic floor insulation. Unroll the radiant barrier hold in place and staple to bottom of roof joists.