Roof Radiant Barrier With Foam Insulation

May 16 2013 posted in.

Roof radiant barrier with foam insulation.

I typically spray enough foam 5 lb open cell to achieve r 38 in our roofs. Because heat always moves from hot areas to cold areas radiant barrier sheathing also prevents heat transfer from the warm interior during the cooler winter months. To be effective the reflective surface must face an air space. Reflectix insulation has over 20 energy saving applications for reflectix insulation has over 20 energy saving applications for around the home.

Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface will reduce its reflective capability. Radiant barrier foil insulation systems block radiant heat energy instead of absorbing it like fiberglass insulation. Radiant barrier roof sheathing helps to improve comfort in the building interior during the warm summer months and reduces energy costs.

Builders dealers diy framers. The radiant barrier acts as your first line of defense against radiant heat and the foam closed attic acts as the second line of defense against conductive heat flow. A number of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing between these two especially the climate zone that you re building in. Here is some good information on how you can get radiant barrier to the outside of a foam closed attic.

Radiant barrier sheathing is inexpensive and reflects thermal radiation to keep attic spaces cool. Roofs with radiant barrier have the potential to lower the temp at night because the radiant barrier prevented the heat loss that would typically occur from the traditional mass insulation on the attic floor rising to heat the roof. Radiant barrier under metal and tile roofs. The list of uses includes crawl space radiant floor attic and walls.

I am exploring the use of lp tech shield or foil faced radiant barrier in an open web truss roof. The radiant barrier should be installed in a manner to minimize dust accumulation on the reflective surface. 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. A radiant barrier is designed to increase the effectiveness of your thermal envelope.

The rigid foam insulation addresses the conduction and convection and adding a radiant barrier addresses radiation you ll find that adding a radiant barrier is best practice but only when there is an air space. This means radiant barrier can increase the life of the roof shingles. It is meant to supplement insulation not replace it. When installing attic insulation a case can be made for both radiant barrier sheathing with typical types of insulation as well as spray foam insulation.

All manufacturers of radiant barrier sheathing say not to spray against their product it will render it useless.