Is installing a radiant barrier worth it?

Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.

Is radiant barrier roof sheathing worth it?

Radiant barrier decking has been shown to save homeowners 5% to 10% on utility bills. No significant savings have been shown in colder climates; however, other benefits still make radiant barriers worthwhile. According to Energy.gov, some studies have shown 5% to 10% energy savings in warm weather climates.

Does radiant barrier add value to home?

A Radiant Barrier Increases the Resale Value of Your Home. Everything matters. Radiant barriers improve the energy efficiency of a home. Thus adding to it's resale value.

How much do radiant barriers cost to install?

Radiant Barrier Cost

The cost to install radiant barrier insulation runs from $740 to $2,840 or $1,700 on average. Materials for this project run as low as $0.10 per square foot, up to $0.95. Professional installers typically charge $30 to $80 per hour for this job.

How much R-value does radiant barrier add?

Radiant barrier on its own has NO R-value; R-value is attributed to materials slowing conductive heat. AtticFoil™ works to block radiant heat (97%) coming in to the attic by stapling it to the rafters, but it has no R-value.

Do Radiant Barriers Work + Install Tips | My Attic Is Too Hot

Does radiant barrier insulation Really Work?

Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.

Is reflective insulation better than fiberglass?

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that reflective insulation is the most effective at preventing downward heat flow, making it a better choice for roof insulation where keeping heat out is the most important factor.

Is radiant barrier worth it in Texas?

The average temperature in Texas during the summer is between 86 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. When combined with low rainfall levels and low humidity, 90-degree temperatures can feel unbearable. As part of a whole-attic system, radiant barriers can improve the comfort of your home.

Does radiant barrier block cell phone signal?

Can radiant barrier sheathing block cell phone signals? According to Robert Palardy, manager of technology at Louisiana-Pacific, “Radiant barrier sheathing does have a thin layer of aluminum on it, so it is certainly possible that it could affect a cell phone signal in a small way.

How does radiant barrier work in winter?

In very cold climates the radiant barrier needs to be closest to the heat source. By creating a dead air space behind sheetrock, the heat will convert to radiant heat to jump across the airspace. Once it does, this heat meets the foil layer and is reflected back down to the interior.

Is spray foam better than radiant barrier?

Open-celled spray-in foam insulation is by far superior to a traditional radiant barrier which is a foil-like thing that you can either tack to the rafters or lay on the floor of your attic. Open-cell foam is also more expensive, but in my opinion an excellent investment.

Is radiant barrier a fire hazard?

The answer is simple. Because the radiant barrier is typically the first material ignited and easily consumed by fire, many fire origin and cause experts unfamiliar with lightning induced radiant barrier fires fail to recognize it as a potential ignition source for the fire.

Is radiant barrier OSB worth it?

Is Radiant Barrier OSB Worth It? If you use OSB radiant barrier sheathing, you can reflect up to ninety-seven percent of solar radiation. This amount of solar heat reduction can reduce your attic's heat by up to thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Radiant barrier roof sheathing can also improve comfort in other areas.

Does my attic need radiant barrier?

As it turns out, it doesn't need to be. Radiant heat moves through the surface of your roof deck to heat up your attic, entering your home and spiking cooling costs. Radiant barriers block the heat from coming in. Sunlight is one of the silent means that heat enters your home.

Can you drywall over radiant barrier?

Yes, you can install drywall over a radiant barrier, but only if there is a space of at least half an inch thick between the drywall and the radiant barrier.

Is TechShield worth the money?

For most new construction projects, I recommend using TechShield® (or another brand). The products work well, the cost of upgrading from regular OSB decking to radiant barrier decking is pretty minimal and there is NO additional labor cost since the Techshield® is installed just like a regular OSB roof deck.

How much energy does a radiant barrier save?

The tests to date have shown that in attics with R-19 insulation, radiant barriers can reduce summer ceiling heat gains by about 16 to 42 percent compared to an attic with the same insulation level and no radiant barrier. These figures are for the average reduction in heat flow through the insulation path.

Does radiant barrier hurt shingles?

One common question or concern about installing a radiant barrier is whether it will cause the shingles to heat up and get damaged or shorten their life expectancy. The short answer is NO damage will occur.

Do I need insulation if I have radiant barrier?

Radiant barriers reflect radiant heat.

Then, the heat transfer method switches from radiant heat to conductive heat to move through the attic insulation and into your home. This is why you need both types of insulation.

Which is better insulation or radiant barrier?

But if you must decide between the two, there is likely a clear winner: the radiant barrier. It is more effective, will give you more energy savings, and will provide you with more reliable in-home comfort.

Where should reflective insulation be used?

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. This helps keep your home cooler and more comfortable.

How long does radiant barrier insulation last?

Standard insulation methods including radiant barriers last anywhere between 80 to 100 years, as long as they are installed correctly. You can use it for decades without significant problems.

Is radiant barrier required in California?

Can you explain the following statement in California's Title 24? “The Title 24 prescriptive compliance approach requires a radiant barrier in climate zones with significant cooling loads (zones 2-15). The performance approach does not require a radiant barrier in any climate zone.”

Does reflective insulation keep heat in?

Unlike mass insulation, reflective insulation is able to keep heat in and reflect heat away. Mass insulation material like fiberglass and foam merely slow down the transfer of heat; they do not reflect heat away, nor do they keep heat in. Reflective insulation has the ability to control the transfer of radiant heat.