Radiant Barrier Installation Company

A very common question is what actually is a Radiant Barrier and how does it compare to standard insulation? Radiant Barrier insulation is a reflective insulation system that offers a permanent solution to reduce your energy costs. The best type of radiant barrier system is a very thin, lightweight, but surprisingly durable material comprised of 99% aluminum foil, which will reflect 97% of the radiant heat coming into the attic. It reduces the loss of heat in the winter through the roof and keeps heat out of your attic in the summer. It is also very effective in reducing radiant heat loss or gain from the walls as a house wrap.

Radiant barriers were originally developed by NASA to protect spacecraft and astronauts from the extreme temperatures in space. Since then, the product has undergone extensive research and development and is now available for residential, commercial, and industrial use to help homeowners and businesses reduce their energy costs and protect the environment.

EnergyAttic Radiant Barrier insulation systems reflect radiant heat energy instead of trying to absorb it like a traditional insulation. EnergyAttic Radiant barrier is a layer of foil facing an airspace that is installed in the envelope of a building. The best installation method is stapling it to the rafters, which leaves airspace to allow for adequate airflow in the attic and to enhance the properties of the radiant barrier system.

Most people are familiar with traditional insulation materials such as fiberglass, cellulose, Styrofoam, and rock wool. These products are used to absorb or resist (slow down) heat transfer of conductive or convective heat. The most dominant form of heat transfer is radiant heat transfer. A 99% aluminum radiant barrier most effectively stops radiant heat. Radiant barriers reflect heat instead of trying to absorb it.

During the winter 50-75% of heat loss is through the ceiling/roofing system and 65-80% of heat loss through the walls is radiant. During the summer, 93% of the heat gain in your attic is from radiant heat.

If you are depending on standard insulation (R-Value or resistance) alone against heat gain and loss, remember that thin layers of fiberglass are virtually transparent to radiant heat energy and are affected by humidity. A 1 1/2% change in the moisture content of fiberglass insulation will result in a 36% decrease in performance (referenced from HVAC Manual 10.6 McGraw-Hill). A pure aluminum barrier is unaffected by humidity and will continue to perform at a consistent level no matter how humid it may be. The product we use in your attic is perforated to allow proper ventilation of the product as well.

By installing EnergyAttic Radiant Barrier in your attic, you can reduce the heat loss in the winter and the heat gain in the summer, increase the efficiency of your current insulation, make your home feel more comfortable, and save up to 40% on your energy costs.

EnergyAttic Radiant Barrier reduces heating and cooling costs, makes homes and buildings more energy efficient, and provides much more comfortable and consistent temperatures by keeping heat within the home in the winter and keeping heat out during the summer. You will be able to keep your home at more consistent temperatures without the extreme hot and cold fluctuations and pockets of air in many of your rooms.

How does this work? You must remember that Heat goes to Cold only. That is just pure science. Therefore the way Energy Attic installs the radiant barrier it is effective in winter and summer. In the winter, this durable, double-sided aluminum product reflects the radiant heat back to the heated living areas of the home or building. It works similar to wrapping a baked potato in aluminum foil to retain heat and keep it warm longer. In the summer, a radiant barrier reflects heat to help prevent attic insulation from getting hot and transferring that heat into your home. If the radiant barrier is installed by stapling it to the roof rafters, then it also prevents the air conditioner and ductwork from absorbing the attic heat and transferring it into the home. Because it is installed on the rafters the moisture in the attic easily flows out resulting in NO moisture or condensation issues.

Radiant Barriers are unlike mass insulation, which will only slow down or resist heat transfer. EnergyAttic Radiant Barrier actually reflects the heat away from your attic. Heat always goes into cold spaces by natural law. The problem is how to keep the heat in during the winter and how to keep it out in the summer.

There are three ways in which heat goes from warm spaces to cold spaces:

CONDUCTION - direct contact heat flow though a solid object such as a wall or ceiling. An example of conduction is touching a pot on the stove. This is conductive heat transfer.

CONVECTION - heat movement through air, occurring when air is warmed. The warm air expands, becoming less dense and rising. This is through steam or moisture. An example would be putting your hand above a boiling pot where you would feel heat in the form of steam.

RADIATION - electromagnetic, the movement of heat rays across air spaces from one warm object to a cooler object. The heat we feel from a wood stove or a space heater is radiant heat. Also feeling the sun's rays on your face is radiant heat transfer.  All objects above absolute zero (-459.7 degrees F) emit infrared rays in a straight line in all directions.

The most common form of heat transfer is from radiant heat. All objects and bodies give off radiant heat. Even the traditional insulation in your attic gives off radiant heat to the cold attic spaces in the winter and to the living spaces in the summer. Regular insulation won't stop radiant heat loss or heat gain. Radiant heat must be REFLECTED with a radiant barrier.

Conductive: Direct contact. If you touch a pot on the stove, this is conductive heat transfer.

Convective: Steam, moisture. If you put your hand above a boiling pot, you will feel heat in the form of steam. This is convective heat transfer.

Radiant: Electromagnetic. Step outside on a sunny day and feel the sun's rays on your face. You are feeling radiant heat transfer. All objects above absolute zero (-459.7 degrees F.) emit infrared rays in a straight line in all directions.

During the winter, 50-75% of the heat loss is through the ceiling/roofing system and 65-80% of heat loss through the walls is radiant heat. During the summer, 93% of the heat gain is radiant.

A double-sided 99% aluminum barrier allows you to eliminate 97% of the heat loss and gain wherever it is installed reflects the electromagnetic rays of radiant heat. It can be installed on the roof, as a home wrap, or between your first and second floors in earlier stages of construction.

Installing radiant barrier in your home comes with many benefits that must not be overlooked.  This material is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and safe for your family members and pets.  It is easy to handle and install, requiring to special tools or equipment for installation or yearly maintenance for upkeep.  Because radiant barrier is installed in the attic, homeowners voice concerns about rodents and pests, but rest at ease, because with radiant barrier, no nest support is provided to encourage rodents to make nests.  We guarantee that radiant barrier installation in Fort Worth will meet fire and smoke safety requirements and meet building codes but won’t interfere with cell service.  Consider installing radiant barrier in your home or building and see the many benefits that come with it.

Benefits of our Radiant Barrier product:

• Provides a real radiant barrier by reflecting 97% of the radiant heat in your attic.

• Saves you 17% to 40% on your electric bill in the summer and your heating bill in the winter.

• Makes your home more comfortable by controlling temperature fluctuations.

• Energy Attic Radiant Barrier is a permanent fixture in your home and. Unlike paint products, it does not have to be reapplied every few years.

• Can help increase the resale value of your home because you will be able to show a significant difference in your energy bill compared to other homes on the market.

• Lessens the workload for your air conditioner and heating units so they will last longer and if you are building it can reduce the tonnage requirements and save on building costs.

• Energy Attic Radiant Barrier conserves energy and helps the environment.One of our customers whose house is approximately 5000 sq ft made the following environmental observations at their home :
  *Eliminates 3,900 pounds of CO2 emissions per year from a natural gas fired power plant.
  *Saves 6,400 gallons of water usage per year required to cool a natural gas fired power plant.

• Reduces your attic temperature by 20 to 45 degrees in the summer.

• It is an Energy Star product, which means it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.

• You can write off 10%, up to $500, of the cost of radiant materials on your income taxes for 2007.

• Clean, lightweight, very strong, durable.

• Class A fire rated, which means it meets all fire, smoke, and safety ratings.

• Non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.

• Does not promote the growth of fungi, mold, or bacteria.

• Does not support nesting for rodents or insects.

• Pays for itself in a short amount of time and continues to save you money on your utility bills.

• Makes your current insulation more effective.

• Is a great home wrap for new construction.

• Can also be used in commercial applications.

• Requires no maintenance.

Uses of radiant barrier in Dallas-Fort Worth

Residential Home Uses of Radiant Barrier

Radiant barrier has numerous uses. For new construction homes, it can be draped over rafters before roof decking is applied or stapled to the rafters. The following are uses for radiant barrier in residential homes:

• House wrap
• Vaulted ceiling/cathedral
• Stud wall cavity
• Garage
• Workshop
• Single and multi-family units
• Wood frame building
• Metal frame building

Existing Home Uses of Radiant Barrier

In existing homes, radiant barrier is stapled to the rafters. The following are uses for radiant barrier in existing homes:

• Crawlspace
• Garage
• Basement
• Workshop
• Carpet pad
• Dog house
• Playhouse
• Water heater

New Construction and Existing Commercial Building Uses of Radiant Barrier

It also has numerous uses for new construction and existing commercial buildings, including:

• Warehouses
• Office buildings
• Metal buildings
• Self storage units
• Plants
• Roll up and overhead doors

Industrial Uses of Radiant Barrier

The industrial uses of Radiant Barrier include:

• Pipes
• Tanks
• Boilers
• Laboratories
• Heat shields

Automotive Uses of Radiant Barrier

• Door panels
• Headliners
• Firewall
• RV
• Sunshields
• Conversion vans

Shipping Uses of Radiant Barrier

Radiant barrier is also very useful in shipping and is used in the following applications:

• Shipping containers
• Thermal bags
• Box liners
• A temperature protector for perishable foods, such as dairy, meat, fruit, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals
• Railroad cars

Food Service Uses of Radiant Barrier

Radiant barrier is used in the following food services:

• Ovens
• Freezers
• Coolers
• Packaged food wrap
• Delivery bags
• Commercial kitchens
• Transportation

Agricultural Uses of Radiant Barrier

• Incubators for items such as chicken coops
• Livestock trailers
• Pole barns
• Post frame construction
• Metal buildings

Other Common Uses of Radiant Barrier

• Saunas
• Spas
• Modular buildings
• Canvas buildings
• Coolers
• Food service bags
• Heat shields
• Airplane survival equipment

Aluminum foil radiant barrier helps make homes and office buildings more energy efficient, saves money, and reduces carbon footprint.

Installation of Radiant Barrier for completed homes

When looking at installing radiant barrier insulation in your attic, you will have three basic options. You can staple a traditional Radiant Barrier Foil to the rafters, lay it over the floor in your attic, or spray a paint product to the underside of the roof decking. I am still amazed that most people in the energy-efficient business do not know about the new installation methods being used and are misinforming people that paint can be installed in areas that aluminum cannot.  Energy Attic has a unique engineered installation method to get where paint wands cannot get to or will not even try to get to. We have been called many times after the paint companies refused to install paint because it was too difficult for them to install their products.  I have customers that would be glad to back up this claim.

Your Energy Attic Radiant Barrier insulation system is Engineered specifically for your home.  We will then install the radiant barrier by stapling it to the rafters and taping all the seams with aluminum tape. It is the most effective method because it prevents the heat from entering the attic and heating up or cooling down the ductwork so that your air stays closer to the same temperature as it was when it left the unit.  It also makes the units work less hard which will increase the life of your air conditioning system. The space between the roof decking and the radiant barrier forms an air space which will make the radiant barrier more effective and creates airflow from the eave vents to the roof vents which will also keep the attic cooler.  We will also install baffles on the attic side of the aluminum from the eaves to promote airflow within the attic envelope. The great airflow cool will keep all moisture and condensation issues out of the attic.

Baffles are a 2" x 10" x 3' air tunnel that we install at the inside of the attic under the foil to direct airflow from your soffit vents to the inside of your attic.  This creates airflow on both sides of the aluminum flushing convected heat from the aluminum up and out your roof vents.

To fully enhance the A/C efficiency, Energy Attic Radiant Barrier will seal plenum joints and ductwork connections to the unit with mastic duct sealant eliminating air leaks, eliminating attic air pulled into unit and increasing the units air pressure.

Many radiant barrier companies will roll the foil radiant barrier over the attic insulation which is NOT recommended in Texas. Laying over the insulation will compact blown insulation reducing the R-Value, and reducing airflow to just one side of the foil, which could cause moisture buildup resulting in mold issues and overheating A/C units and ductwork.  Only in very specific applications should the aluminum be applied to the floor of the attic.  Be sure to ask about how it will be installed. How it is installed can be as important as the product itself.  Beware of companies coming from the northern states that apply the product as if Texas has the same insulation issues.

Another thing to consider when speaking with companies who insist on laying it on the floor is how do you know where to walk?  A customer recently called us to make sure we didn't lay it on the floor because her neighbor installed it that way and then a contractor came in to do some work on their A/C unit and wouldn't go in the attic because he was afraid he would fall through the ceiling.  He insisted that it be removed before he would go any further.  This is definitely a safety issue you should be concerned with in your home whether it is you walking up there or a contractor.

Paint radiant barriers are installed by spraying a thin coat on the roof decking without being primed causing the latex paint to be absorbed by the wood and deteriorate rapidly.  Most do not spray the rafters which leave them exposed to radiant heat in the attic. The paint product has an emissivity of 33% to 90% in lab tests only compared to EnergyAttic Radiant Barrier at 3%. Even the emissivity ratings are questionable because latex paint which encapsulates the aluminum flakes has an emissivity of 95%. The paint also coats everything exposed in the attic and causes airborne contaminants that can get into the home.

A product must be at least 90 to 100 % reflective to be a radiant barrier according to the Department of Energy. None of the paint products meet these criteria.

Paint vs. Aluminum Foil Radiant Barrier: Which is Best?

One of the most commonly asked questions by anyone first looking at Radiant Barrier insulation systems is which one is better and most cost effective, paint or aluminum foil radiant barrier? The answer is very simple when you look at the numbers, product and application for each.

When looking at installing radiant barrier insulation in your attic, you will have three basic options. You can staple a traditional Radiant Barrier Foil to the rafters, lay it over the floor in your attic, or spray a paint product to the underside of the roof decking. (**scroll all the way to the bottom for warranty information on your shingles with some radiant barrier products. Our application methods will not damage your shingles.)

Click here to read an interesting article by Green Building Advisor, Martin Holladay

According to RIMA (Reflective Insulation Manufacturer's Association) there are many misconceptions when it comes to radiant barriers. One is Ceramic paints are as effective as radiant barriers.

One of the major misconceptions in the insulating paint field is that “ceramic paints” can be used on the interior like an IRCC to reduce attic temperatures and lower cooling energy costs. However, the application of a “ceramic paint” to the underside of roof sheathing may increase the attic temperature because “ceramic paints” typically have a higher emittance than the sheathing deck. If a paint does not conform to ASTM C 1321, “Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems in Building Systems”, it should not be considered for interior applications in the attic.

In looking at the best product, you also need to look at the application of the product in your attic.

Our RADIANT BARRIER product is stapled to your roof rafters for full coverage, leaving at least a 6 to 8 inch air space between the radiant barrier and the roof decking covering all areas with our unique installation methods. We install into tunnels and seemingly impossible areas to reach that even the paint wands can not get to with our unique engineered installation methods. This air space will allow proper airflow and enhance the radiant qualities of the aluminum helping the blown-in insulation not absorb as much heat and exhausting moisture completely. We also have full coverage of the roof joists and can apply the product to a bedroom or game room wall that backs to the attic to prevent a room from having extreme temperature fluctuations. When you staple it to the rafters, it prevents your air conditioner and ductwork from absorbing the attic heat thus delivering cooler air into the home. It will also help your air conditioner not have to work as hard increasing the life of your air conditioner units. The Energy Attic Radiant Barrier will not be less than 97% reflective because it is a solid aluminum product. Because Energy Attic Radiant Barrier is double sided it will also work in the winter months reflecting radiant heat back to the warm living areas but still letting the moisture and convected heat leave through the roof vents.

Laying foil radiant barrier over the attic floor is not recommended in Texas in most applications.

A few reasons not to lay aluminum over the attic insulation floor:

1. It will trap moisture between the aluminum and insulation even if product is perforated because holes are so small even a minor amount of dust will clog perforations causing Mold and Mildew issues.
2. Compacts blown insulation reducing the R-Value
3. Reduces air flow to just one side of the foil building up heat between the aluminum and blown insulation super heating the house during the summer months. Defeating the purpose of having radiant barrier in the first place.
4. Still over heats A/C units and ductwork in attic. The ductwork acts like a heated tunnel and your Air Conditioner is making below 59 degree air surrounded by 140 degree or hotter radiant heat.
5. Impossible to move around attic if needed with aluminum on floor.
6. Anything stored in attic will be destroyed because of the extreme radiant heat buildup.

According to the Department of Energy - Paint products are NOT a true "radiant barrier". They do not work as advertised misleading the consumer. Each particle of aluminum powder is encapsulated by paint therefore not allowing the aluminum powder to form a solid sheet of aluminum barrier. The aluminum particles can not stop the heat because the paint super heats and bypasses the aluminum particles. Even if it did help a little it is typically applied only to the roof decking leaving the joists and rafters unpainted. All the exposed joists will continue to radiate intense heat inside the attic. It will also vary depending on how heavy the paint is applied and the type of wood being sprayed without primer. The paint also gets on everything exposed in the attic and causes airborne contaminants that get into the home.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines "home insulation" as "any material mainly used to slow down heat flow" (16 CFR Part 460.2). ENERGY STAR considers insulation to be products or materials that meet the FTC's definition of "home insulation" and are used to insulate a whole wall, ceiling, or floor. These products include, but are not limited to: fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, whole-wall spray foam, rigid foam board, cotton fiber batts, and foil radiant barrier products.

This means that paint products do not qualify for the energy tax credits for 2009 or 2010.

Energy Attic's Radiant Barrier will not have to be reapplied over a period of time.

When you are looking at any product offering energy savings, check to see if it is Energy Star-rated.

To help answer the question of foil versus paint, we also need to look at the issues of the overall effectiveness of each type of product. The effectiveness of a radiant barrier is measured by how much heat it reflects and emits to the air space below. You want the emittance value to be as low as possible. The emittance value of the Energy Attic Radiant Barrier is .03. This means it reflects 97% of the radiant heat in your attic only allowing 3% of the radiant heat into your attic. The paint products shown below all have Product Emittance values much higher than our products. As you can see, they still allow 23% to 90% of the radiant heat into your attic! That is a lot of heat gain and loss compared to our 3%. This means the very best paint product is advertised to reflect "up to" only 77%** of the heat. Please refer to the chart below to see some of the most common brands of paint products and their emittance values.

As per the Department of Energy – a true radiant barrier must have the emittance value of .10 or less. None of the paint products meet these criteria and therefore, are not true "radiant barriers".

**The paint product has emittance of .23 to .90 in lab tests only compared to EnergyAttic Radiant Barrier at .03. Even the emittance ratings are questionable because paint which encapsulates the aluminum flakes has an emittance of .95. So how can any of the paint products have less than .95 emittance?

Shingles and Roof

Another thing to consider when installing some radiant barrier products is the affect it will have on your shingles and the installation method in which the radiant barrier is applied. Our installation method does not cause damage to the shingles over time simply because of the air gap that is left between the roof deck and the radiant barrier.

According to one manufacturer the Limited Warranty is reduced where a radiant barrier has been installed with or without ventilation directly below the deck or when insulation is installed immediately beneath an acceptable roof deck system. They go on to say it could reduce your warranty period by up to 10 years. We can provide you with a copy of this manufacturer's warranty but we would also recommend that you check with your roofer to verify the warranty restrictions. If you would like a copy of this, please click on the request a quote and let us know where to send it.

The US Department of Energy Concludes a New Radiant Barrier Study

Presented at the ASTM C16 Committee Semi-Annual Meeting – Monday, April 16, 2012 - Phoenix, Arizona
Test Results as Presented by Andre Desjarlais of Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Radiant barrier is finding its way into more and more building codes, like California Title 24. As a result, the US Department of Energy has conducted elaborate tests for radiant barrier in attics at the large scale climate simulator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The purpose of this testing was to evaluate the performance differences in new construction and retrofit applications, as well as the performance differences between the radiant barrier sheet and the radiant barrier paint, also known as an Interior Radiant Control Coating (IRCC).

The experiment tested the performance of the following attic assemblies:

• Control (no radiant barrier)
• Radiant barrier applied directly to the OSB sheathing
• Radiant barrier applied to the underside of the rafters
• IRCC sprayed to the underside of the rafters and OSB

The attic assembly was built to code with rafter spacing, ventilation, and insulation. The large scale climate simulator tested the attic at temperatures simulating both summer and winter to calculate the savings for both heating and cooling. Even the heat lamps simulating the summer sun were used to simulate the solar load on the roof assembly.

The results were similar to previous tests performed on radiant barrier:

• The attic without radiant barrier had the highest heating and cooling costs
• The OSB with radiant barrier had a 33% improved cooling and 10% improved heating
• The Rafter-applied sheet radiant barrier had a 50% improved cooling and 10% improved heating
• The IRCC spray had just 20% improved cooling and no improvement in heating from the control

The DOE was hopeful that the IRCC would offer better performance since spraying on IRCC paint is easier than installing a sheet radiant barrier once the house is built, but the thermal emissivity of the IRCCs on the market today do not perform as well as a sheet radiant barrier.

In new construction, the radiant barrier laminated to the OSB sheathing is certainly the easiest and least expensive to install, but going to the added labor in installing a radiant barrier under rafters can result in greater savings. This may be for a variety of reasons, like the higher emissivity of the OSB, a lack of space between the barrier and the sheathing to vent, and the presence of the rafters below the barrier to reduce the coverage of the low emittance surface.

The most efficient method was the radiant barrier applied to the rafters. Since this particular experiment did not have A/C ducts in the attic, homes with attic ducts could see even greater savings in the summer. Radiant barrier on the rafters is the preferred method of installing a retrofit radiant barrier by the US Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR, California Title 24, ASTM International, RIMA International, and others.