Installing Radiant Barrier Insulation
Radiant barrier insulation has at least one reflective surface, which is either an aluminum coating or a sheet.
You can install this in a new home being built or an existing home.
In order to work properly, the reflective side must face an open air space.
Basic installation of radiant barrier insulation consists of placing the sheets over top of the existing attic insulation.
This is referred to as attic floor insulation.
Proper procedure is to overlap the sheets and not to staple them in.
The reflective side should be facing up and the radiant barrier itself should not be touching the insulation itself.
The reason for this is the need to keep a dead air space.
If the sheets are touching the insulation then the radiant barrier transfers heat back to the insulation, which means heat enters the home in the summer and escapes from the home in the winter.
You can also install the radiant barrier insulation in the walls of your home.
Obviously, this is much easier in a new home build.
Again, the barrier is always installed with the reflective side facing the vented air space.
Vents at the top and the bottom of the inside wall direct the heated air towards the attic.
The heated air is then dissipated out through the venting in the attic.
If the attic is not properly ventilated then you will have problems with the radiant barrier insulation working the way it should.
The attic needs to breathe in order to prevent any water vapor from forming beneath the barrier.
If water does form then that will lead to some serious and costly issues.
More homes that are new have vented roof peaks and vented soffits to allow for better airflow in the attic.
If you have an older home, then a fan can be installed in the attic to make sure that water vapor does not form.
Can you experience energy savings with radiant barrier insulation? The answer is yes, if installed properly.
For example, a radiant barrier with an R value of 19 is found to be more efficient that standard insulation with an R value of 30.
You will see lower energy bills over the course of the cooling and heating seasons.
You can install this in a new home being built or an existing home.
In order to work properly, the reflective side must face an open air space.
Basic installation of radiant barrier insulation consists of placing the sheets over top of the existing attic insulation.
This is referred to as attic floor insulation.
Proper procedure is to overlap the sheets and not to staple them in.
The reflective side should be facing up and the radiant barrier itself should not be touching the insulation itself.
The reason for this is the need to keep a dead air space.
If the sheets are touching the insulation then the radiant barrier transfers heat back to the insulation, which means heat enters the home in the summer and escapes from the home in the winter.
You can also install the radiant barrier insulation in the walls of your home.
Obviously, this is much easier in a new home build.
Again, the barrier is always installed with the reflective side facing the vented air space.
Vents at the top and the bottom of the inside wall direct the heated air towards the attic.
The heated air is then dissipated out through the venting in the attic.
If the attic is not properly ventilated then you will have problems with the radiant barrier insulation working the way it should.
The attic needs to breathe in order to prevent any water vapor from forming beneath the barrier.
If water does form then that will lead to some serious and costly issues.
More homes that are new have vented roof peaks and vented soffits to allow for better airflow in the attic.
If you have an older home, then a fan can be installed in the attic to make sure that water vapor does not form.
Can you experience energy savings with radiant barrier insulation? The answer is yes, if installed properly.
For example, a radiant barrier with an R value of 19 is found to be more efficient that standard insulation with an R value of 30.
You will see lower energy bills over the course of the cooling and heating seasons.
