Does Attic Radiant Barrier Work

It isn t the time tested fiberglass rolls of pink insulation.

Does attic radiant barrier work.

Foil radiant barriers can be applied on top of rafters in new construction before the roof sheathing is installed or on the underside of rafters on houses with an existing roof. But radiant barrier maybe but it s kind of hard to tell because there s a lot of claims of energy efficiency but it s very difficult to prove it out. Damp insulation may support mold growth and eventually will lose some of its r value. Now there is a newer better radiant barrier product called srx superreflex.

A radiant barrier works best when it is perpendicular to the radiant energy striking it. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. We only say radiant barrier doesn t work because we know of a product that works even better and can save you over twice as much as current radiant barrier technology. 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.

According to the department of energy installing radiant barrier on the floor of the attic can cause problems. Radiant barriers are utilized to reduce summer heat gain in attics and help to improve the efficiency of green building envelopes. These thin highly reflective layers aren t designed to slow heat transfer they reflect it away before it radiates into your attic and home. The radiant barrier creates a cooler attic which helps reduce cooling costs.

Radiant barriers can reduce attic temperatures 20 degrees to 35 degrees. Srx works better than radiant barrier. A radiant barrier is designed to increase the effectiveness of your thermal envelope. In essence the foil barrier reduces convection into the attic from roofing materials that are heated by the sun.

There are also some comfort improvements. 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. In short yes attic radiant barrier does work. Overall when installed properly radiant barriers can provide reduced energy costs and cooler attics.

If your house doesn t have continuous ridge and soffit vents so it s trapping excess heat in the attic that s a very cost effective improvement. Don t install a radiant foil barrier on top of attic insulation since condensation can form under it even on perforated foil resulting in a buildup of moisture which can reduce the effectiveness of insulation and cause moisture damage. Ultimately a hotter attic means more work that your attic insulation and ductwork needs to put in. Also the greater the temperature difference between the sides of the radiant barrier material the greater the benefits a radiant barrier can offer.

It is meant to supplement insulation not replace it.