Another little problem is the fact that radiant barriers will often require extra insulation. This is necessary to prevent all transfer of heat from one part of the house to another. Of course, this means an extra expense and/or some extra time and trouble.
Full Answer
Do I need insulation if I have radiant barrier?
Radiant barriers reflect radiant heat. Then, the heat transfer method switches from radiant heat to conductive heat to move through the attic insulation and into your home. This is why you need both types of insulation.
Does radiant barrier replace insulation?
Radiant barriers are installed in homes -- usually in attics -- primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. They don't, however, reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.
Can you put insulation over radiant barrier?
8:1511:15Improving R-value with Radiant Barrier Over Insulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's going to help retain radiant heat but more importantly it's going to act as an air barrier toMoreIt's going to help retain radiant heat but more importantly it's going to act as an air barrier to reduce the convective air looping.
Is radiant barrier the same as insulation?
A radiant barrier aims to reduce summer heat gain and lower a home's cooling costs, but not in the same way thermal insulation does. Unlike fiberglass, cellulose and other traditional thermal insulation, radiant barrier isn't installed on the attic floor — it's installed in the attic ceiling just below the roof.
Does radiant barrier help in winter?
How do radiant barriers work in winter? Radiant barriers, however, also help prevent winter heat loss. While traditional insulation materials work by slowing down conductive and convective heat flow, radiant barriers and other reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat flow.
How long does a radiant barrier last?
between 80-100 yearsRadiant barriers can last between 80-100 years if installed correctly.
How much does radiant barrier Reduce temperature in attic?
However, according to studies done by the U.S. Department Of Energy, it is generally accepted that installing radiant barrier in the attic will reduce heat gain through the ceiling by 40% typically leading up to a 17% reduction on heating and cooling utility bills.
Can you use radiant barrier with foam insulation?
Do you need insulation with a radiant barrier? Spray foam insulation should never be installed in direct contact with radiant barriers. This will negate the function of the radiant barrier because an air gap is required for the radiant barrier to work properly in reducing radiant heat.
What is the R-value of radiant barrier?
NO R-valueRadiant barrier on its own has NO R-value; R-value is attributed to materials slowing conductive heat. AtticFoil™ works to block radiant heat (97%) coming in to the attic by stapling it to the rafters, but it has no R-value.
Does radiant barrier affect WiFi?
A radiant barrier would not cause issues with your WiFi, cellphone, and TV signals. It isn't made of thick metal and it won't cover a huge surface area in your home. That's why radio wave signals can still penetrate your home and allow you to enjoy clear reception for your devices.
Which way should radiant barrier face?
According to research conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center, the foil-side of your radiant barrier should be facing down. It should be towards the interior of the house and right under the roof sheathing so that homeowners can optimize its effectiveness when it comes to reflectivity and emissivity.
Does spray on radiant barrier really work?
1:184:00Do Spray-on Radiant Barriers Work? - Next Gen House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically. It will reflect 56% of the radiant energy that comes into the into that strikes thatMoreBasically. It will reflect 56% of the radiant energy that comes into the into that strikes that surface it will reflect it back out and not allowed to enter penetrate into your attic space.
What is the R value of radiant barrier?
NO R-valueRadiant barrier on its own has NO R-value; R-value is attributed to materials slowing conductive heat. AtticFoil™ works to block radiant heat (97%) coming in to the attic by stapling it to the rafters, but it has no R-value.
How much does radiant barrier Reduce temperature in attic?
However, according to studies done by the U.S. Department Of Energy, it is generally accepted that installing radiant barrier in the attic will reduce heat gain through the ceiling by 40% typically leading up to a 17% reduction on heating and cooling utility bills.
Does spray on radiant barrier really work?
1:184:00Do Spray-on Radiant Barriers Work? - Next Gen House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically. It will reflect 56% of the radiant energy that comes into the into that strikes thatMoreBasically. It will reflect 56% of the radiant energy that comes into the into that strikes that surface it will reflect it back out and not allowed to enter penetrate into your attic space.
Does radiant barrier affect WiFi?
A radiant barrier would not cause issues with your WiFi, cellphone, and TV signals. It isn't made of thick metal and it won't cover a huge surface area in your home. That's why radio wave signals can still penetrate your home and allow you to enjoy clear reception for your devices.
Why does NASA use radiant barriers?
NASA uses radiant barriers to shield its spacecraft and equipment, and protect astronauts from the heat of the sun. This fact, however, has been twisted into the common myth that NASA invented radiant barriers. The truth is German businessmen Schmidt and Dykerhoff filed patents for reflective surfaces to be used as building insulation way back in 1925.
Why is my attic hot?
Speaking of summer, as the sun’s radiation increases during the season, the temperature in your attic also rises. This heat heads down into the cooler areas of the house and that is the reason your home gets stuffy and hot in the summer.
Can you escape the heat in Texas?
There’s little you can do to escape the summer heat, even when you’re inside the house. The Texas sun is unforgiving, especially if you’re living in places like San Antonio or South Central Texas. Installing radiant barrier insulation in such locations is essential for living in relative comfort while also saving you money.
The Three Ways That Heat Flows
Understanding the three ways that heat can move will help you understand how radiant barriers and standard insulation works for your home.
Radiant Barrier
Unlike standard insulation, radiant barriers work by reflecting radiant heat away from your house.
Insulation
Now let’s talk about how standard insulation can work for your garage.
Radiant Barrier vs. Insulation: Things To Keep In Mind About Your Garage
Radiant barriers are ideal in hot climates, while standard insulation is more efficient during cold winters. Ideally, the best solution would incorporate both types.
Why do you need a radiant barrier on a roof?
Your roof gets direct sunlight. The primary job of a radiant barrier is to reduce heat gain from a hot roof, and a roof that gets more sun exposure will get hotter. If you live in the northern hemisphere and your roof is south-facing, a radiant barrier will be more effective on that side.
What is a radiant barrier?
A radiant barrier is a reflective surface that prevents radiant heat from entering a home’s heat envelope. When infrared radiation from the sun hits a home’s roof, it heats up the roofing material, which then radiates that heat back out in all directions. A radiant barrier will reflect this heat back toward the roof, keeping your house cooler in the summer.
What is the difference between a radiant barrier and a perforated barrier?
A radiant barrier that is non-perforated will not allow water vapor to pass through. If a non-perforated barrier is installed in your attic, the warm air and moisture from inside the house will rise and have nowhere to go. It will condense on the radiant barrier and make the attic wet, damaging your home. A perforated barrier has tiny holes that allow air and water vapor to pass through.
How do radiant barriers help in the summer?
Radiant barriers have the most impact in reducing radiant heat gain during the summer. The U.S. Department of Energy says that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by 5-10 percent in a warm, sunny climate.
What is radiant barrier sheathing?
Radiant barrier sheathing, which is plywood or OSB board with foil adhered to one side , is often used in new homes, with the foil facing into the attic space. Older homes can be retrofitted for extra energy savings by attaching radiant barrier material to the attic ceiling or floor.
Is radiant barrier effective?
Second, a radiant barrier is only effective if it is reflective. Accumulation of dust on the foil surface will lower reflectiveness, and this is one reason that the installation of a radiant barrier on the attic floor, rather than the ceiling, could be problematic.
Do radiant barriers need air space?
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to preserve the effectiveness of a radiant barrier. First, radiant barriers need an air space in front of them. If they’re sandwiched between two pieces of insulation or siding, they become conductors and will actively be working against your insulation.
Pros of Radiant Barriers
First, we will look at the benefits of radiant barriers before analyzing the drawbacks.
Cons of Radiant Barriers
Now let’s take a look at why radiant barriers might not be worth your money.
The Verdict – Are Radiant Barriers Worth It?
After careful analysis, we can say that radiant barriers do work, and can reduce your heating costs in the hottest months. However, the extent to which they will benefit you depends on factors such as where you live, whether you have an HVAC system in your attic and your home’s exposure to the sun.
Increasing Effectiveness of a Radiant Barrier
There are a couple of things to remember if you wish to enhance a barrier’s effectiveness.
Steer Clear of Scams
There’s a lot of false information online regarding radiant barriers. Steer clear of scams like “paint-on” radiant barriers or energy-saving statistics that sound too good to be true, particularly in cooler regions.
Last Few Words
We hope this article helped you decide if radiant barriers are worth your money or not.
How does radiant barrier insulation work?
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. This method also reduces the heat subject to attic mounted AC duct work thereby allowing them to work more efficiently.
How effective is radiant barrier?
A radiant barrier can be very effective at BLOCKING radiant heat when installed in conjunction with roofing and siding material, however, the radiant barrier MUST be installed with an air space on at least one side of it. As long as there is at least a 3/4" air space on either side of the radiant barrier, the application will be effective at BLOCKING radiant heat. For more information on why a radiant barrier must have an air space on one side of it to be effective, please see our What is Radiant Barrier page.
What is radiant barrier on counter?
The picture below shows a batten/counter batten system with a slate/tile material with a radiant barrier on top of the counter battens. The radiant barrier is installed on the top of the counter battens in non-watertight applications. This allows the radiant barrier to remain dry while also achieving the 3/4" air space requirement.
How to keep your attic cool?
Start early in the morning when your attic is at its coolest. Carry all of your radiant barrier and tools into the attic to avoid unnecessary trips to and fro. Keep plenty of water on hand and drink even if you don't think you're thirsty; especially in the summer months.
What is radiant guard?
RadiantGUARD® radiant barrier and reflective insulation products can be used in unlimited ways to help control the transfer of heat. Below are just a few of the popular building applications.
Why do we need radiant floor heating?
Floor heating systems have been around for centuries to not only keep floors warm but to help heat the cooler air near the floor caused by cold air sinking while hot air rises in a room. A radiant barrier used in conjunction with radiant floor heating can help to lock in the heat in the floor so that it doesn't escape down into a basement or the ground below. Our reflective insulation is the ideal product for all radiant floor heating systems and serves as a vapor barrier to block moisture penetration from below.
What are some examples of radiant barrier roofing?
Metal, tile, and slate roofing systems are examples of such roofing systems where a radiant barrier can be easily incorporated. Equally as important as the air space on a radiant barrier is the requirement that a radiant barrier remain clean and dry in any application.
How are radiant barriers installed?
Therefore, if the material you purchase is reflective on only one side (has only one “shiny side”), this side should be facing the air space. It cannot be sandwiched between two materials, as the air space is critical to its performance. They should also be installed to prevent dust build-up as dust and dirt will decrease their effectiveness .
How do I install radiant barriers?
Several methods for installing radiant barriers in new construction include (Figure 1): 1 Attached to either the faces or bottoms of the rafters or top chords of the roof trusses (this method can also be used in existing homes). 2 Draped over the rafters or trusses in a way that allows the product to droop (i.e. hang loosely) 1½ to 3 inches between each rafter. 3 Attached to the underside of the roof deck (sheathing) with the foil side facing the air space or attic space.
What is the effect of radiant barriers on heating and cooling bills?
According to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, your savings on heating and cooling bills will vary depending on a number of factors. These factors include: type of radiant barrier application, size of your house, whether your home is a ranch style or a two story house, amount of insulation in the attic, effectiveness of attic ventilation, color of the roof, thermostat settings, tightness of the building envelope, actual weather conditions, efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment, fuel prices, etc. The document, Radiant Barrier Fact Sheet, includes a link to the Radiant Barrier Calculator that includes simple calculations on how to approximate the economics of radiant barriers and added ceiling insulation. The calculator is part of the fact sheet but, for convenience, this is the direct link.
What is radiant barrier?
If a single reflective surface is used alone and faces an open space, such as an attic, it is called a radiant barrier (sometimes called radiant heat barrier). Some radiant barriers have a reflective surface on both sides so either side can face the open air space. Properties to look for are high reflectivity and very low emittance (the energy radiated from the material’s surface), which enable it to reflect the radiant heat energy and give off (emit) very little.
How does radiant heat transfer work?
Radiant heat transfer occurs when electromagnetic waves travel in a straight line through a vacuum or air between surfaces that are at different temperatures, heating any object in its path. The earth receives all its solar heat through radiation. Dark, rough surfaces will generally absorb radiant heat and become warm, while smooth, shiny surfaces will reflect the radiation. This is why radiant heat transfer can be limited by the use of radiant barriers, which have shiny foil surfaces.
Do you need insulation in an attic?
Therefore, due to the way heat is transferred, you still need insulation. The amount of thermal insulation affects the potential radiant barrier energy savings. For example, installing a radiant barrier in an attic that already has high levels of insulation (R-30 or above) would result in much lower energy savings than in an attic insulated at a low level (R-11 or less).
Will I still need insulation if I use a radiant barrier?
The R-value indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, then the greater the insulating power. Radiant barriers reduce only radiant heat transfer though, so the rules as applied to determining R-value of the products relate to not only the thickness of the material but how it is installed. See Section 460.12 of the Federal Register for details.
