Does Reflective Attic Insulation Work

These thin highly reflective layers aren t designed to slow heat transfer they reflect it away before it radiates into your attic and home.

Does reflective attic insulation work.

Through conduction the heat travels from the roofing material to the walls of an attic. With new types of technology and approaches to keep homes comfortable it s natural to wonder if attic radiant barrier works. Reflective insulation installed in the attic ceiling helps reflect sunlight and reduce the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. The radiant barrier should be installed in a manner to minimize dust accumulation on the reflective surface.

When utilizing osb radiant barrier sheathing you can reflect up to 97 of solar radiation which translates into an attic heat reduction of up to 30 f. The hotter it gets the better radiant barriers work. When the sun heats a roof its radiant energy makes the roof itself hot. Work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just put in.

Reflective insulation installed in the attic ceiling reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. Reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. The idea is that this thin material can act as a type of insulation in tight spaces where you cannot put thick fiberglass insulation. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain.

Found in major outlets such as in home depot s insulation aisle reflectix comes in tightly spooled rolls of 25 by 2 feet of shiny reflective foil look bubble wrap texture insulation in plastic bags. The hot roof material then radiates that gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface will reduce its reflective capability. Reflective insulation and radiant barriers work well in warm climates particularly in homes that have.

Air ducts in the attic. Always cover the tops of the ceiling joists to make sure the insulation is deep enough to reach your target r value and to prevent thermal bridging the heat loss that occurs through the wood framing. One way to do that is to lower the need for energy and reflective foil insulations do a superb job of minimizing both heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Air ducts in the attic.

This helps keep your home cooler and more comfortable. To be effective the reflective surface must face an air space. Reflective insulation and radiant barriers work well in warm climates particularly in homes with. A cooler attic space means less heat moving to the cooler space below the attic.

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