Radiant Barrier Installation Done Right

Homeowners know that the installation of a radiant barrier has the potential of reflecting approximately 97 percent of radiant energy that sunshine upon a roof produces. As a direct result, it is possible to make a serious dent into skyrocketing cooling bills and cut back on air-conditioning without sacrificing comfort. As an added benefit, radiant barrier installation also acts as somewhat of an acoustical fence, which is of special interest to residents located in the midst of a fly path near the local airport.

Identifying the Best Radiant Barrier Installation Done Right:

Identifying and choosing the best radiant barrier depends in large part on the actual place of installation. For example, a homeowner who chooses to install the barrier underneath the roof’s sheathing may opt for a different material width than one who picks the top of the already present ceiling insulation as the most likely locale.

Manufacturers accommodate these many choices by offering varying layers of thickness on rolled materials. For example, a roll of radiant barrier material may offer .375 to .625 inches in depth, which also directly affects the sound muffling qualities of the materials.

In addition, the professional installer appreciates that radiant barrier rolls come in varying sizes that cover 24 to 96 square feet. Measuring twice and cutting once enables these experts to complete an insulation project without spending too much money on materials -- this could make the bid more attractive to a consumer! -- that yield plenty of leftovers, which then linger in the dusty recesses of the work van.

Presentation of the material is as varied as the sizing. Single-sided foil with a polypropylene backing is quick and easy to install as an afterthought to a completed construction project. Sheathing -- with a radiant barrier already attached -- now makes new roof additions a quick and easy energy-saving home upgrade. Foil-covered insulation materials now make replacement of the old “pink stuff” quick, easy and without adding any messy cuttings.

In the final analysis, it is surprising how many radiant barrier choices the homeowner identifies when shopping around. Granted, they operate under the same aluminum foil concept of heat reflection, but due to the secondary property of noise reduction, this material is a multi-tasking insulation support that adapts well to a myriad of installation scenarios.