How do I choose a radiant barrier?

There are two key values that determine the effectiveness of a radiant barrier, and those are its reflectivity (higher is better) and emissivity (lower is better) values.

How much difference does radiant barrier make?





Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it’s usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.

Does a radiant barrier need to be air tight?

No Air Gap = No Radiant Heat = It Won’t Work!



In order for radiant heat to exist, you MUST have this air gap. If you don’t have this air gap, you CANNOT scientifically possibly have radiant heat because if you sandwich two products together and eliminate that air gap, you have conduction, or conductive heat.

What is SRX radiant barrier?

SuperReflex (SRX), is the only available dust proof thermal radiant barrier. SRX Radiant Barrier is an extremely effective way to increase comfort, reduce consumption and keep rising energy bills in check.

How long does a radiant barrier last?

Standard insulation methods including radiant barriers last anywhere between 80 to 100 years, as long as they are installed correctly. You can use it for decades without significant problems.

Is spray foam better than radiant barrier?





Open-celled spray-in foam insulation is by far superior to a traditional radiant barrier which is a foil-like thing that you can either tack to the rafters or lay on the floor of your attic. Open-cell foam is also more expensive, but in my opinion an excellent investment.

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.

Can you put insulation over radiant barrier?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It'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.

How much does it cost to install a radiant barrier?

The cost to install radiant barrier insulation runs from $740 to $2,840 or $1,700 on average. Materials for this project run as low as $0.10 per square foot, up to $0.95. Professional installers typically charge $30 to $80 per hour for this job. Radiant barrier is best suited to attics.

Is TechShield worth the money?



For most new construction projects, I recommend using TechShield® (or another brand). The products work well, the cost of upgrading from regular OSB decking to radiant barrier decking is pretty minimal and there is NO additional labor cost since the Techshield® is installed just like a regular OSB roof deck.

What is the R value of reflective insulation?

In short, reflective insulation can have an R value anywhere from R-3 all the way up to R-17.

Is radiant barrier OSB worth it?

Is Radiant Barrier OSB Worth It? If you use OSB radiant barrier sheathing, you can reflect up to ninety-seven percent of solar radiation. This amount of solar heat reduction can reduce your attic’s heat by up to thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Radiant barrier roof sheathing can also improve comfort in other areas.

Is radiant barrier worth it in Florida?



Radiant barriers are most effective in blocking summer radiant heat gain and saving air-conditioning costs. Although the radiant barrier may be somewhat effective in retaining heat within a cold-climate home, it may also block winter radiant heat gain in the attic.

Does radiant barrier work in winter?

Radiant Barrier Insulation Benefits



Works to keep warm air in during the winter and solar radiant heat out during the summer. Prevents up to 97% of solar radiation. Improves energy efficiency and lowers utility costs, especially if HVAC and duct systems are located in the attic.

Will radiant barrier damage shingles?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So this clearly shows that radiant barrier only causes the shingle temperatures to go up about 6-8 degrees which is in line with the to 210 degrees that's normally accepted.

Does radiant barrier affect cell signal?

Can radiant barrier sheathing block cell phone signals? According to Robert Palardy, manager of technology at Louisiana-Pacific, “Radiant barrier sheathing does have a thin layer of aluminum on it, so it is certainly possible that it could affect a cell phone signal in a small way.

Is radiant barrier a fire hazard?



Metalized Film Radiant Barrier products offers less protection against a flame and easily will catch fire if exposed to any flame.

Are dark roofs hotter?

Below are a few common roofing colors that can make a big difference in your heating and/or cooling bills. 1. Black and dark-colored roofs. In general, dark-colored roofing materials will absorb the heat and cause your attic and/or the top of your house to be warmer than a lighter colored material.

What is the coolest roofing material?

Cool option: Wood shingles and shakes are naturally “cool colored” materials. Polymer shingles (also known as synthetic or composite shingles) are formed of polymer shaped to resemble asphalt shingles, wood shingles, wood shakes, slate, clay tiles, or concrete tiles. They are overlapped to cover the roof.

What color roof lasts the longest?

Both light-colored and dark-colored shingles can last longer if given the necessary maintenance. The only thing tested and proven about light-colored shingles is that they help us keep the indoor temperature cooler in the hot summer season.