Why Radiant Barriers Need An Air Space

After all your research on radiant barriers, you've probably come across the statement many times stating that in order for a radiant barrier to be effective, it must face an air space. Why is an air space required? It's very simple:

If a radiant barrier is sandwiched directly between two other materials touching its surface, heat would be conducted directly through the radiant barrier from the first material to the second material. The second material would then radiate heat from itself as if a radiant barrier had not been used at all. Why?

Aluminum is very poor at stopping conductive heat flow. However, aluminum, of which radiant barrier are composed, have two wonderful properties that work in conjuction with an air space that make it ideal as a radiant barrier material:

• the ability reflect radiant heat that travels across an air space to its surface (factor called "reflectivity"), and
• the inability to emit radiant heat from itself across an air space (factor called "emissivity").

"Reflectivity" is the the amount of radiant heat that a material "reflects" (i.e. does not absorb). RadiantGUARD™ radiant barrier products reflect 97% of the radiant heat when facing an air space.

"Emissivity" is the amount of radiant heat that a material "emits" (i.e radiates) from itself. RadiantGUARD™ radiant barrier products emit only 3% of radiant heat when facing an air space.

Reflectivity and emissivity factors are inverses of each other and because RadiantGUARD™ radiant barrier products are double-sided, you only need to achieve an air space on one side of the radiant barrier. However, when possible, most consumers feel better protected by achieving an air space on both sides. Why not - it certainly doesn't hurt.

TIP: Outline Your Radiant Barrier Covered Decking

Radiant barriers can be installed in your attic space following a variety of radiant barrier installation techniques:

1. Stapled to the underside of your attic rafters,
   
2. Draped over the top of your attic rafters before the roof decking is attached,
   
3. Stapled directly to the roof decking before the roof decking is attached, or
   
4. Rolled out over the attic floor over the floor joists or existing insulation.

The most effective radiant barrier installation method is to lay the radiant barrier directly over the attic floor joists or existing insulation.

A great tip related to laying the radiant barrier directly on the attic floor is to tape an outline of any decking pieces you use to walk on to access various storage areas or equipment in your attic. By outlining these decking pieces with a brightly colored tape, you, and contractors or repairmen who access your attic in the future, will easily be able to see where it's safe to walk eliminating the risk of stepping in the wrong place through the ceiling drywall.

Got another great installation tip? Email: Support@RadiantGUARD.com.

Radiant GUARD Launches Radiant Barrier Blog

RadiantGUARD.com is proud to introduce "Radiant Barrier Tips, Tricks, Techniqes & More" as a method of keeping consumers up-to-date on all things radiant barrier foil insulation related.

It is our goal to provide fresh content daily based on our extensive research of current trends in the radiant barrier, insulation, and green building industries. We also plan to share tips, tricks and installation techniques as shared by our customers to help others determine new ways to reduce their energy costs as well as protect our environment.

Have a topic you would like us to consider for our blog? Please email us at Support@RadiantGUARD.com.

Regards - Radiant GUARD