Insulation With A Radiant Barrier Attic

Radiant barrier should always be installed to work with the soffit and ridge.

Insulation with a radiant barrier attic. Damp insulation may support mold growth and eventually will lose some of its r value. These thin highly reflective layers aren t designed to slow heat transfer they reflect it away before it radiates into your attic and home. According to the department of energy installing radiant barrier on the floor of the attic can cause problems. They don t however reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.

Unlike thermal insulation like fiberglass batts or blown cellulose radiant barrier insulation has no r value and is usually made of foil. With new types of technology and approaches to keep homes comfortable it s natural to wonder if attic radiant barrier works. It s versatile and will save energy throughout your home. A radiant barrier is designed to increase the effectiveness of your thermal envelope.

Radiant barriers are installed in the attic by stapling the material to the underside of the roof deck normally on the rafters. It is meant to supplement insulation not replace it. It may be an easier way to install radiant barrier but it can trap moisture between itself and the attic floor and cause the insulation to become damp. 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.

It isn t the time tested fiberglass rolls of pink insulation. Installing radiant barrier under the roof decking is the preferred method versus on top of the insulation because it gives an air gap for the heat to escape to the ridge vent without creating a potential moisture problem between the radiant barrier and the attic floor. This method also reduces the heat subject to attic mounted ac duct work thereby allowing them to work more efficiently. By reducing the amount of radiant heat reaching the insulation in your attic the insulation remains cooler and is able to keep your home more comfortable.