You may have heard about the benefits of using radiant barrier foil for your attic insulation. It is an industrial-strength material that blocks 97% of radiant heat gain and maintains the temperature in your home. The aluminum foil carries a cost-effective price of 28 pounds per square foot and 250 linear feet. The perforated aluminum foil does not trap moisture like foam foil-backed insulation does. In addition, industrialized strength radiant barrier attic insulation is puncture and tear-proof.
Radiant barrier foil is available in a wide range of styles. You can purchase foil-faced plywood or oriented strand board sheathing. The reflective foil conducts electricity, so be careful not to contact any bare electrical wiring while installing the barrier. Foil that is installed directly over the attic floor insulation is prone to dust accumulation and can trap moisture that is found in the fiber insulation. To install radiant barrier foil, you should have a minimum of one square foot of airspace at each attachment point.
EcoFoil products are simple to use. The foils are easily cut, stapled, and installed with a staple gun. This makes them ideal for Do-It-Yourself projects. In contrast, traditional insulation products require the use of safety masks and gloves. Reflective insulation is safer to work with and contains less off-gassing than traditional insulation materials. You don’t need a special certification to install radiant barrier foil, and you can DIY without a professional’s help.
Radiant barrier foil is the best thermal insulation solution for your attic, but it can’t replace your current insulation. If your attic insulation is already good, you won’t notice the difference. However, if you have an older home or a poorly-insulated attic, a radiant barrier may be more cost-effective than replacing your existing insulation. And if your home isn’t in the coldest climate zone, it might even be a good idea to install radiant barrier sheathing.
Using radiant barrier foil on a bare rafter will help keep your home cooler in the summer. It reduces heat transfer by 50%. You can read the full study here. But make sure to use industrial grade tin foil for this application. A typical kitchen tin foil is not strong enough to work as a radiant barrier. As always, call a professional to install it for you. One reason to hire a professional is safety.
Radiant barrier foil blocks 96% of radiant heat. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll save 96% of energy; it simply means that you’ll have a more efficient system year-round. And the EcoFoil Radiant Barrier can block 93% of the heat that the sun radiates into your attic. This is an impressive number, but remember that you’ll save money, not energy. In fact, it’s worth the investment to reduce energy bills with radiant barrier foil.
As for the durability of the material, there are two types of radiant barrier foil. Perforated radiant barrier is made of a polyethylene core. Its permeance is greater than five perms, which is the minimum standard. Non-perforated radiant barrier is without holes and serves as a vapor barrier. It is the EcoFoil brand that meets the minimum requirements. It’s a good idea to check this before purchasing a radiant barrier for your attic.
The low emissivity aluminum foil developed by German businessmen proved to be commercially viable, and this became the launching pad for the radiant barrier. Within 15 years, millions of square feet of this insulator were installed all over the US, and it was making its name by the 1970s. The technology was included in various Princeton and MIT projects and even included in the Palm Springs home of Frank Sinatra. So why wait for the perfect time to buy radiant barrier foil?
If you want to prevent unwanted heat transfer to your home, a radiant barrier is an excellent option. It reduces heat transfer through conduction and prevents it from entering the house. However, it requires adjacent airspace for optimal efficiency. After all, radiant barrier foil is made from aluminum foil and needs airspace that is at least 3/4″ high on each side. This airspace is crucial for radiant barrier foil to work properly. You should always ensure that the surrounding area is adequately ventilated before installing a radiant barrier.
Radiant barrier foil made of aluminum can be used for attic insulation. Fiber reinforced aluminum foil is easier to handle and staple in place. Ideally, you should use foil that is at least four or five feet long. In addition to saving time, it is also easier to install, because this type of foil comes in rolls of four or five feet wide. Once the barrier has been installed, you can enjoy a warm attic space without the risk of mold and mildew.