#Radiant barrier install

The emissivity is a number between zero (0) and one (1). The amount of energy emitted depends on the surface temperature and a property called the 'emissivity' (also called the 'emittance'). All materials give off, or emit, energy by thermal radiation as a result of their temperature. Radiant barriers work by reducing heat transfer by thermal radiation across the air space between the roof deck and the attic floor, where conventional insulation is usually placed. Still another variation is to attach the radiant barrier directly to the underside of the roof deck. Another is to drape the radiant barrier over the tops of the rafters before the roof deck is applied. One variation is to attach the radiant barrier to the bottom surfaces of the attic truss chords or rafter framing. The roof application has several variations.

#Radiant barrier install

Another way to install a radiant barrier is to attach it near the roof. This is often called the attic floor application. The simplest is to lay the radiant barrier directly on top of existing attic insulation, with the reflective side up. Radiant barriers may be installed in attics in several configurations. How are radiant barriers installed in a residential attic? For information on other applications, see the references at the end of the Fact Sheet. However, this fact sheet was developed only for applications of radiant barriers in ventilated attics of residential buildings. Radiant barriers can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Some products are fiber reinforced to increase the durability and ease of handling. These substrates include kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, plywood sheathing, and air infiltration barrier material. Radiant barriers usually consist of a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, usually aluminum, applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials. The potential benefit of attic radiant barriers is primarily in reducing air-conditioning cooling loads in warm or hot climates. Radiant barriers are materials that are installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and hence to reduce building heating and cooling energy usage.