Radiant barrier installation can be a DIY job, but it’s best left to a professional like Radiant Barrier Contractors Houston. It is best installed in new homes before the roof sheathing is put on, but it can be added to existing attics.
It can save energy by preventing radiant heat from reaching the air ducts and attic floor. It works in tandem with attic insulation and wall insulation.
A radiant barrier reduces summer cooling costs by reflecting heat away from your home instead of absorbing it. This is particularly effective in hot climates and if your air conditioning ducts are located in your attic. It can reduce temperatures in your attic to a more comfortable level, helping your HVAC system run more efficiently.
Radiant barriers are made from aluminum foil that’s applied to one or both sides of a variety of substrate materials, including kraft paper, plastic film, cardboard, and oriented strand board. Some products are even fiber-reinforced for added strength and durability. Radiant barriers can also be combined with other types of insulation materials, such as fiberglass and foam boards.
The installation process is simple enough for homeowners to do it themselves, but it’s typically best left to professionals. There are many factors to consider, such as ensuring the aluminum layer doesn’t come into contact with exposed wiring for safety reasons. It’s also important to know how to properly place the radiant barrier to derive maximum benefit.
Depending on your home’s needs, there are two different methods for installing a radiant barrier in your attic: the “Staple Up” method involves stapling the foil directly over attic insulation and then putting another layer of insulation over it to complete the attic insulation system. This is the best option for homes in a hot climate where the ceiling can get very warm during the day and for homes that have ductwork in their attic.
If you don’t have ductwork in your attic or would prefer an easier installation, the “Over the Insulation” method involves laying the foil over the existing attic insulation. It’s a good choice for homes in cold or mixed climates, as well as those with ductwork that is located in their attic.
No matter which type of attic insulation you have in your home, a radiant barrier is a smart investment that will save energy 12 months a year. It can significantly lower your cooling bills in the summer and provide a little extra warmth in the winter as it works alongside your thermal insulation to help you save energy.
Roof Insulation
Radiant barrier insulation is a product that primarily insulates your roof against the heat of the sun. It can save you hundreds of dollars each summer and significantly improve your home’s energy performance. Typically installed in the attic, radiant barriers reflect up to 97 percent of the sun’s heat before it penetrates your living space, helping keep the rest of the house cooler and cutting energy costs. Radiant barrier insulation can be added to your existing roof or installed as part of a new roof installation.
It’s a thin sheet of aluminum foil that’s designed to reduce energy costs by keeping the attic and house cooler. It’s usually installed by stapling it to the underside of the attic’s roof deck surface and facing rafters, but it can be applied over sheathing or over existing attic insulation. A radiant barrier can be used alone or in combination with other types of insulation materials, such as roll or foam, to add R-value and further increase energy efficiency.
The main reason your roof becomes so hot is radiant energy from the sun. This energy radiates through the roofing materials and then onto other surfaces in your attic, such as the air ducts and attic floor. A radiant barrier stops this radiation and keeps these surfaces in the attic cooler.
A radiant barrier will also prevent the heat that’s trapped under the attic ceiling from rising into the living space, which is a major cause of high energy costs. In fact, in a warm climate like ours here in Central Florida, radiant barriers can cut cooling costs by up to 10%.
A radiant barrier’s effectiveness depends on how it’s installed, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s done by a professional to ensure you’re getting the most value out of it. A professional installer will be able to advise you on the best position and placement of the radiant barrier for your attic so that it will be most effective in reducing your cooling costs.
Wall Insulation
Radiant barrier insulation is the latest innovation in attic insulation. It is a non-toxic material that is sprayed or rolled onto a variety of building materials, including oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, plasterboard, and other wall surfaces. It is a reflective surface that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbs it. When combined with traditional blown-in attic insulation, it can save homeowners money on energy bills while helping to make their homes more comfortable.
In a hot climate like Houston, radiant barriers are more effective than blown-in attic insulation or foam. They reflect radiant energy and, in combination with attic floor insulation and ductwork, can reduce cooling costs by up to 20%. They are especially effective when the air conditioning ducts are located in an unconditioned attic space.
While some people mistakenly believe that radiant barriers cause mold, the reality is that they are actually beneficial to the attic environment. By reflecting the sun’s radiant heat, they keep the attic cooler and help prevent moisture from seeping into the shingles. As a result, fewer shingles are damaged, and mold is less likely to form.
Many builders, contractors, and homeowners have used aluminum foil in their attics since the 1960s to control radiant energy and cut heating and cooling costs. In recent years, manufacturers have developed liquid radiant barrier products that can be sprayed or rolled on interior surfaces. These products have similar performance to foil but can be applied in a much more flexible manner and are less expensive than OSB with radiant barriers installed.
During new construction, radiant barrier sheathing can be installed in the attic along with gable-end and roof sheathing. This will save on the cost of insulating the attic and improve the return on investment for the builder. A homeowner can also install a radiant barrier during a complete roof replacement.
Commercial Insulation
Radiant barrier services are a popular upgrade for commercial structures in warm climates. These barriers are installed in the attic of a building to reflect rather than absorb solar energy, keeping spaces cool and helping save on utility costs. However, these barriers don’t reduce conduction like thermal insulation and should be used in combination with other types of insulating material.
Typically, radiant barriers are comprised of aluminum foil that’s applied to one or both sides of a substrate material. These substrate materials can range from kraft paper to cardboard, plastic films, or oriented strand board. Some are also fiber-reinforced to improve durability and ease of handling. They’re also available in a perforated or non-perforated version, with the former allowing water vapor to escape, which prevents mildew and other damage to the attic.
When installing a radiant barrier, it’s important to minimize dust and debris, as this will reduce its effectiveness. It’s also recommended that contractors work in pairs to speed up installation times and make the job easier. Radiant barrier products vary in emittance, reflectivity, strength, and thickness, so it’s important to choose the right type for your project.
In hot climates, a radiant barrier can reduce cooling costs by as much as 10%. This is because it lowers the attic temperature, which reduces heat transfer to the rest of the house. In addition, a low attic temperature will allow you to use smaller air conditioning units and therefore lower your energy bills.
For buildings in cooler climates, radiant barrier insulation can still help lower energy bills by reducing the amount of energy that’s needed to heat and cool the space. It will also protect the roof from premature deterioration and extend its lifespan.
