

(Refer to TB101 – Reflective Insulation Materials Used Under Concrete Slabs.) Will doubling the product double the benefit? Products installed under concrete slabs cannot reflect heat because there are no air spaces present.
RADIANT BARRIER INSULATION CODE
Reference: Florida Solar Energy Center Reflective Insulation Does reflective insulation really provide an R-10 under a slab, or equal to 2 inches of foam board insulation?Ĭlaims of high R-values for reflective products when they are used as under concrete insulation are not supported by any industry or code body accepted testing methods. No shingle manufacturer limits their warranty when combined with a radiant barrier in the roof system.

The color of asphalt shingles has more of an effect on shingle temperature than the presence of a radiant barrier. Testing done by the Florida Solar Energy Center has shown that roof shingle temperatures do increase between 5 and 10☏ when radiant barriers are installed under the roof deck. Will radiant barriers cause roof shingles to deteriorate? Calculations can and have been made for very specific applications, but every given application requires its own evaluation. However, due to variations in building construction, location and climate – one cannot assign a unique R-value to this application. Because of a radiant barrier’s low emittance and high reflectance, it can block about 90 – 97% of the radiant heat that strikes the surface, significantly reducing the total heat transfer in and out of a building. Radiant barriers are always installed with the reflective, low-e (low emittance), surface facing an open air space. This question is often asked and is an indication that there is still some confusion between radiant barriers and reflective insulation. Publication Number: FSEC-CR-211-88) What is the R-value of radiant barrier? “RBS Technology: Task 3 Report.” Florida Solar Energy Center. ceiling heat flux reductions) to other installation methods however, dust accumulation over time will reduce the effectiveness of a radiant barrier installed in this manner. Properly installed, this application can offer equivalent performance (i.e. This method is most often implemented for ease of installation. One method of installing a radiant barrier in an attic is horizontally, directly on top of the mass insulation on the attic floor. Will dust affect the performance of a radiant barrier in a residential attic?
RADIANT BARRIER INSULATION INSTALL
Never install a radiant barrier with its low-e surface in complete and direct contact with other materials. When the reflective surface is in contact with another surface, it becomes a direct conductor of heat. Radiant barriers must have an air space that faces at least one of its reflective surfaces in order to function properly. What is the best way to install a radiant barrier? Is it wrong to install a radiant barrier above the roof deck and below the roofing felt? The factors include, but are not limited to, building orientation, occupant lifestyle and climate. Radiant Barriers What about claims of exaggerated savings on your energy bill?Īlthough consumers can expect energy savings after installing radiant barriers in their attics, exact savings are difficult to predict because there are many factors that affect energy consumption. Listed below are some of the more common misrepresentations found on the internet and in some literature. We invite readers to view the technical and library pages for comprehensive discussions on technical issues. This information will help expose exaggerated claims made by those who have misrepresented their performance. RIMA International is dedicated to distributing reliable reflective insulation, radiant barrier or interior radiation control coating product technical information to consumers. What Is Radiant Barrier, Reflective Insulation and IRCCs? Myths & Misconceptions About Radiant Barriers, Reflective Insulation and Interior Radiation Control Coatings (IRCCs)
