Knowledge Builders

which way do you install reflective insulation

by Lucie Schowalter MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Installation Summary:

  1. Install unfaced mass insulation between rafters ensuring a minimum of 1" ventilation space between the mass insulation and the underside of the roof decking. ...
  2. Unroll and staple reflective insulation to the under side of the rafters.
  3. Seal all seams with aluminum foil tape.
  4. Install furring strips to the underside of the radiant barrier every 16" perpendicular to the ...

If you're wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room.

Full Answer

How effective is reflective insulation?

Reflex-AIR® bubble insulation products are very effective when used in:

  • Walls and roofs in Metal, Steel and Commercial Buildings, Pole Barns, Post Frame, Agricultural and Poultry Barns
  • Concrete slabs and under flooring with or without radiant heating/pex tubing,
  • Crawl Spaces, Basement / Concrete Block Walls and Ceilings, Wine Cellars, Garage Doors, and Storm / Storage Shelters,

More items...

How to safely install insulation?

Installing the insulation on empty joist spaces is quite straightforward. Pick a batt and tuck it into the joist spaces. Push it up straight to the ceiling wall and then pull it back slightly so that the fiberglass fluffs accordingly. Tuck it in tightly into the space where the ceiling meets the walls.

What you should know about installing insulation?

  • It can boast a much cleaner and pollution-free production process when compared with other alternatives
  • When it is removed from a building as the result of a renovation or remodel, it degrades without contributing harmful chemicals or off-gassing into the soil, water, or air.
  • It has high energy-efficiency ratings

How much insulation should be installed?

To achieve this standard, you will normally need at least 70mm of high-performance foam insulation, or 150mm of mineral wool, but this will vary depending on floor type, shape and size. If you are replacing at least half of a floor then you have to insulate to these standards whether you planned to or not.

How does reflective insulation work?

How much heat does bubble insulation block?

What is white bubble insulation?

What is the R value of white double bubble insulation?

Is bubble insulation permeable?

Is reflective insulation good for a basement?

Does bubble insulation help with dew point condensation?

See 2 more

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Which way does foil insulation go?

The reflective side of the board should be oriented to the exterior and the nonreflective white side should be oriented to the interior. EXCEPTION: If vinyl siding is to be installed over AP™ Foil-Faced sheathing, install foam boards with the white nonreflective side toward the vinyl siding.

Which side of the insulation faces out?

The first layer should have the facing against the drywall to act as a vapor barrier. (The general rule for insulation is that the facing always goes toward the conditioned space.) The second layer of insulation should be unfaced so that moisture doesn't collect between the layers.

Which way should radiant barrier face?

Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. To be effective, the reflective surface must face an air space. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface will reduce its reflective capability.

How do you install reflective roll insulation?

Installation Summary:Install unfaced mass insulation between rafters ensuring a minimum of 1" ventilation space between the mass insulation and the underside of the roof decking. ... Unroll and staple reflective insulation to the under side of the rafters.Seal all seams with aluminum foil tape.More items...

Does foil insulation need an air gap?

You MUST have an air gap in order to get either the emissivity quality or the reflectivity quality that you're looking for, otherwise the foil will not work as a radiant barrier.

Is radiant heat directional?

Radiant heat is transmitted by infrared waves and is directional. Radiant panel heating ensures that cold spots are avoided. Drafts and natural convection currents make it difficult to control warm air movement within a building.

Is radiant barrier double sided?

All RadiantGUARD® radiant barriers are double-sided. In order for a radiant barrier to have durability and strength, a middle "scrim" layer is present in the center of the product.

Which way does r tech insulation go?

Q: Which way does the metallic side face on InsulFoam R-TECH? The metallic facer on InsulFoam R-TECH may provide additional R-Value if it's facing a dead air space. If there is no dead air space, it doesn't matter which way the metallic side is facing.

How do you use reflective foil insulation?

Research indicates that foil insulation works best when it is placed near the heat source. This means that stapling it to the inside of the roof trusses or rafters is the best way to keep heat out in summer.

Does reflective insulation help in the winter?

Reflective, radiant-barrier insulation is usually made of aluminum foil with a variety of different backings, including plastic film and cardboard. This type of insulation is most effective in warmer climates, but can also be used for comfort and energy savings in cold weather.

How do you use attic reflective insulation?

2:016:24How To Install Radiant Barrier In Your Truss Built Attic - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut a bunch in the in the garage just roll them out and make a big stack. And then take that stackMoreCut a bunch in the in the garage just roll them out and make a big stack. And then take that stack of foil up into the attic. And get. Started.

Does radiant barrier go up or down?

Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) found that radiant barriers work best when installed with foil-face down (towards the building interior) and applied under the roof sheathing.

Does moisture barrier go up or down?

#1 – Lay Down Moisture Barrier Experts say the plastic should be secured at a distance of about six inches up the wall.

Does radiant barrier need air space on both sides?

The problem here is that for a radiant barrier to work, it must have an air gap on one side or the other. If they staple this stuff to the underside of the rafters in an attic, it will greatly reduce heat gain in the attic, and the temperature will be about 20 degrees lower. That's because there's an air gap.

Does vapor barrier go on the warm side?

Vapor barrier materials are installed on the warm side of the insulation in a building assembly, as determined by climatic conditions. In warm climates, it will be on the exterior and in cold climates, it will be on the interior.

What Is Reflective Insulation?

Reflective insulation, also known as foil insulation, is a material with reflective facing. In most cases, this is aluminum foil or aluminized polyester.

Why is reflective insulation important?

Standing out among dozens of diversified insulation options, reflective insulation is one of the best choices to ensure lower bills, increase your return on investment and protect the people, animals, goods and equipment that may be inside your structure.

What is Prodex insulation?

Prodex is a modern type of reflective insulation which serves as an all-in-one solution to various problems in houses, pole barns, warehouses and metal buildings.

Which insulation is most efficient when installed close to the source of heat?

Thanks to its ability to reflect heat, reflective or foil insulation is most efficient when it is installed close to the source of the heat.

What is the E value of low insulation?

Low E-value ( 0.03) in comparison to other insulation options like fiberglass (0.8)

Why does installation require leaving air space?

Installment requires leaving air-space to increase the R-value and provide the best results.

Can you use insulation in a retrofit?

Foil insulation can be applied in both new and retrofit constructions.

Why should aluminum facings be facing toward the inside of the house?

Hi, Carol, The aluminum facing should always face toward the inside of the home (whether in a wall or ceiling) to prevent water vapor from passing through it. There’s just one exception to that rule, and it’s if the insulation is installed over another piece of insulation.

Why is paper vapor barrier used in insulation?

That’s because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it. If the insulation is installed with the paper vapor barrier facing away from the heated part of the home, moisture from humid inside air can condense and become trapped in the insulation during cold winter months.

Is foam pipe insulation better than fiberglass?

It’s better to use foam pipe insulation than standard fiberglass insulation on water pipes. It’s easier to install and has higher insulating qualities for the thickness. Make sure you get the right size for your pipes. Reply.

Can condensation be caused by insulation?

Depending on the climate where you live, it may or may not cause a condensation problem. Colder climates, like you have in Pennsylvania, will have more chance of condensation problems than a warm climate. Assuming the insulation isn’t too much trouble to get to, I would turn it over so the paper facing is toward the ceiling, or peel the facing off all together. If it is a lot of trouble to change it, feel under it during the winter and see if it feels damp. If it does you definitely need to fix it to prevent rot or mold.

Can you put fiberglass insulation over blown in insulation?

You can lay rolls or batts of fiberglass insulation over existing blown in insulation, but you need to use unfaced insulation to prevent moisture from being trapped between the layers. Since you’ve already purchased and installed faced insulation, your best bet is to peel the paper facing off the insulation you installed.

How To Install Reflective Insulation?

If a property is already completed and not insulated, it can still be insulated through a process known as retrofitting . In essence, retrofitting is a way to install insulation in the roof, walls and floors of a building after it has been built. The process is more tricky than installing foil insulation during the construction of a property, but can be undertaken if need be.

How To Install Foil Insulation On Walls?

This is because it is difficult to get into the plaster once it is set, without cutting through . As a matter of fact, if you install insulation during the construction phase, it actually speeds up the whole building process. This is because it protects the inside from rain, meaning work can carry on without bricking or cladwork being complete.

What Is Foil Insulation Used For?

Foil insulation is used as a means to maintain high levels of thermal efficiency within a property. The purpose of installing the foil insulation panel in your home or office is to ensure that internal temperatures stay at a comfortable level all year round, regardless of whatever volatility occurs in the outdoor climate.

How Much Does Foil Insulation Installation Cost?

The cost of foil insulation will depend on the quantity purchased, the R value, and the installation costs. To get an accurate quote for your property, contact us on 1800 354 717.

Why is foil insulation called reflective insulation?

The reason it is sometimes referred to as reflective insulation is, because on hot days, the reflective surface of the insulation panels literally reflect the sun rays back out, stopping them from entering your property.

Why use foil insulation?

Basically, a foil insulation panel works to reduce the heat transfer effect that occurs during thermal radiation. The reflective surface acts as a barrier to reflect the heat from one side of the panel, preventing it from transferring to the other side.

Why do you need insulation during construction?

This is because it protects the inside from rain, meaning work can carry on without bricking or cladwork being complete.

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.

Where to staple radiant barrier?

Staple the radiant barrier to all knew walls located in your attic space overlapping each piece by 2".

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 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 much space between rafters?

Install unfaced mass insulation between rafters ensuring a minimum of 1" ventilation space between the mass insulation and the underside of the roof decking. Check with local codes to determine if you must maintain a larger air space. If necessary, you can install vent chutes or baffles to ensure the proper air flow channel.

What is radiant foil insulation?

The radiant foil barrier reflects all that heat back into the air space between it and the roofing. When foil insulation is properly installed, the underside of the roof decking remains at or near the ambient temperature, even in full sun. This doesn't work, though, if you install the radiant barrier upside down – that is, ...

Where does foil go on a roof?

The foil then goes under the battens. For proper installation of roof insulation, you need to do it before the roofing goes on. If you want to add foil insulation to an existing roof, you can still do it by going into the attic and stapling it to the undersides of the roof rafters. If you do this, the shiny side of the insulation still goes up, ...

What goes on top of the moisture barrier?

The foil insulation goes on top of the moisture barrier, followed by the roof covering. If you use bubble foil or rigid foam insulation, it also goes on top of the moisture barrier. Remember that there has to be an air space between the foil and the roofing. Most metal corrugated roofing automatically provides this air space.

Why do you need foil insulation?

The Reason Why You Need Foil Insulation. When sunlight impinges directly on a metal roof, it drives the temperature of the metal as high as 180 degrees Fahrenheit. In the absence of a foil insulation barrier, the underside of the roof radiates all the heat directly into the attic. The attic overheats, the house becomes warmer ...

What happens if the shiny side of the barrier faces the roof?

If the shiny side of the barrier faces the roofing, hot air will circulate in the space between the rafters and naturally exit through the roof vent. This scheme works best if the house has a ridge vent that spans the length of the roof.

Does foam insulation board have a foil backing?

Foam insulation board also comes with a foil backing, and when the foil is just on one side of the board, you have a decision to make regarding its orientation. If you're wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler.

Does radiant barrier work upside down?

This doesn't work, though, if you install the radiant barrier upside down – that is, with the shiny side facing down. If you do that, the barrier absorbs the heat and radiates it into the attic instead of back toward the roof. A radiant barrier can reduce the temperature in the attic by as much as 30 degrees.

Where to install polyiso?

If there is aluminum foil on just one side of the polyiso, here's my advice: install the polyiso tight to the rim joist, with the shiny side facing toward the interior of the building.

How much air space does a foil need?

If you want it to serve as a radiant barrier, the foil must face an air space of at least 1/2".

How to keep a building warm?

To keep a building warm, you need something with R-value (insulation). The higher the R-value (and the lower the rate of air leakage), the better. As Dana explained, the foil facing on rigid foam has the effect of raising the R-value of an adjacent air space if there is an adjacent air space.

How does reflective insulation work?

Reflective insulation is also an ideal solution for keeping floors warm and blocking heat loss through flooring even without the use of radiant floor heating systems. When installed in a crawl space, our reflective insulation products will block up to 97% of the radiant heat loss that occurs through floors keeping floors warm and reducing cold drafts. This in turn keeps the living spaces warmer further increasing the comfort of the living space and reducing heating costs associated with maintaining a consistent room temperature.

How much heat does bubble insulation block?

Bubble insulation not only blocks 95-97% of the radiant heat striking its surface, it also provides the necessary thermal break to eliminate condensation problems in metal buildings.

What is white bubble insulation?

WHITE bubble reflective insulation is the ideal choice for insulating new concrete floors against loss of heat. It can be used in conjunction with, or without, radiant heat tubing to help keep floors warm. The product is to be laid down with the FOIL side down towards the ground and WHITE side up over which the radiant heat tubing and fresh concrete are to be applied. The foil side is faced downwards to eliminate the concrete from coming in contact with it which could cause the foil to corrode due to the alkaline in the fresh concrete.

What is the R value of white double bubble insulation?

WHITE Double Bubble insulation used in a concrete flooring application is stated to achieve an estimated R-Value of 1.1.

Is bubble insulation permeable?

Note: Our bubble insulation products are solid vapor barriers (i .e. not vapor permeable) and therefore, serious moisture, health, and durability problems can result from improper installation.

Is reflective insulation good for a basement?

Reflective insulation is excellent as a basement wall insulator. It performs as a vapor retarder, resists fungus and mold, and also controls dew point problems. R-Values are unaffected by a damp moisture basement environment unlike fiberglass insulation.

Does bubble insulation help with dew point condensation?

Bubble insulation can also help block radiant heat in post frame building structures inhibiting dew point condensation problems. Our bubble insulation also does not provide a growth medium or nutritive value for fungus, insects, or rodents.

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1.Videos of Which Way Do You Install Reflective Insulation

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28 hours ago Reflective Bubble Insulation Applications Wall Installations. Most people are familiar with extreme heat found in attic, but there is secondary method of heat... Radiant Flooring …

2.How to Install Reflective Insulation - RadiantGUARD

Url:https://www.radiantguard.com/pages/how-to-install-reflective-insulation

16 hours ago Thanks to its ability to reflect heat, reflective or foil insulation is most efficient when it is installed close to the source of the heat. For example, this may include the space under a metal roof …

3.Reflective Insulation: Everything You Need To Know

Url:https://www.insulation4less.com/reflective-insulation

10 hours ago  · Hi Kim, Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That’s …

4.How To Install Reflective Insulation - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTcikqhk4QU

32 hours ago Which way do you install reflective insulation? If you’re wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside …

5.Which Way to Face Insulation? - Today's Homeowner

Url:https://todayshomeowner.com/which-way-to-face-insulation/

15 hours ago Reflective foil insulation installation on a roof is usually done in the ceiling, attics, or other spaces that separate the roof from the ceiling. Due to the varying nature of the construction of …

6.Tips on How to Install Foil Insulation the Right Way

Url:https://www.foilboard.com.au/blog/tips-on-how-to-install-foil-insulation-the-right-way/

9 hours ago Reflective insulation is commonly used in two main areas. The first is in unventilated cavity walls; the second is as insulation in pitched or angled roofs. Reflective insulation reflects radiant …

7.How to Install Radiant Barrier Insulation - RadiantGUARD

Url:https://www.radiantguard.com/pages/how-to-install-radiant-barrier

21 hours ago Installation Summary: Starting 3" from the top peak (or ridge vent), install our radiant barrier across the bottom of the rafters (horizontal... Working your way down towards the bottom of …

8.Do You Put the Shiny Side of Foil Insulation Up or Down …

Url:https://homeguides.sfgate.com/put-shiny-side-foil-insulation-up-down-metal-roof-97249.html

19 hours ago  · To install foil insulation, roll it out parallel to the ridge and cut it with a utility knife, starting at the drip edge and working your way up. Overlap seams by about 3 inches.

9.Which way should the foil facing on polyiso rigid foam face?

Url:https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/which-way-should-the-foil-facing-on-polyiso-rigid-foam-face

32 hours ago  · If there is any air leakage in that air space, the insulation performance is greatly degraded by the air space. Tight against the rim joist is safer. If there is aluminum foil on just …

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