Make Your Attic Energy-Efficient with Radiant Barrier Attic Installation

Radiant barriers are installed in homes generally in attics -- mainly to minimize summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.

A radiant barrier works best when it is perpendicular to the radiant energy striking it. The higher the temperature differences between the sides of the radiant barrier material, the greater the benefits radiant barrier insulation can provide.

Radiant barriers are more effective in warm climates than in cool climates, particularly when cooling air ducts are situated in the attic. Simply adding a radiant barrier on your attic ceiling will usually reduce heat gain in your home by around 40%, which will translate into something in the neighborhood of a 17% reduction in your utility bill.

Radiant barriers consist of a highly reflective material, generally aluminum foil, which is applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials, for example, Kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, oriented strand board, and air infiltration barrier material. Some products are fiber-reinforced to improve durability and ease of handling.

Radiant barriers can be combined with numerous kinds of insulation materials in reflective insulation systems. In these combinations, radiant barriers can act as the thermal insulation's facing material. A radiant barrier's effectiveness depends on proper installation, so it is ideal to use a professional insulation installer. If you choose to do the installation yourself, study carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions and check your local building and fire codes.

When installing a radiant barrier, it is necessary to not allow dust to accumulate on top of the reflective surface. That implies it is important to seal the barrier to make a complete envelope where no air can get in. Professional insulation installers know how to minimize dust both before and after your Radiant Barrier Insulation has been installed.

Radiant Barrier AtticInstallation complements your present or existing insulation and can be installed over your existing insulation in your attic and crawl space.  Also, depending on the kind of radiant barrier it will add R-value to an existing insulation.