Insulation With A Radiant Barrier Attic

The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.

Insulation with a radiant barrier attic. Radiant barrier should always be installed to work with the soffit and ridge. Damp insulation may support mold growth and eventually will lose some of its r value. Radiant barriers are installed in the attic by stapling the material to the underside of the roof deck normally on the rafters. These thin highly reflective layers aren t designed to slow heat transfer they reflect it away before it radiates into your attic and home.

With new types of technology and approaches to keep homes comfortable it s natural to wonder if attic radiant barrier works. Unlike thermal insulation like fiberglass batts or blown cellulose radiant barrier insulation has no r value and is usually made of foil. It is meant to supplement insulation not replace it. Use the fiber free insulation from reflectix insulation in use the fiber free insulation from reflectix insulation in crawl spaces radiant flooring attics or walls.

Radiant barriers are installed in homes usually in attics primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. This method also reduces the heat subject to attic mounted ac duct work thereby allowing them to work more efficiently. It s versatile and will save energy throughout your home. Radiantguard radiant barrier foil insulation installed in an attics can reduce attic temperatures by up to 30 degrees when stapled with a staple gun to the underside of roof rafters by reflecting up to 97 of the radiant heat that strikes its surface thereby reducing heat transfer from the attic to living spaces resulting in lower utility bills.

According to the department of energy installing radiant barrier on the floor of the attic can cause problems. It isn t the time tested fiberglass rolls of pink insulation. They don t however reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials. Installing radiant barrier under the roof decking is the preferred method versus on top of the insulation because it gives an air gap for the heat to escape to the ridge vent without creating a potential moisture problem between the radiant barrier and the attic floor.