Radiant Barrier: What Is It, How Does It Work?

The Low Down on Radiant Barrier

By Thomas Decker

Owner, Attic Innovations

Welcome to the Attic Innovations Energy Efficiency Blog. My name is Tom Decker. I am the owner of Attic Innovations in Texas. We specialize in making your home more energy efficient using insulation, radiant barrier, Low E double pane windows, attic ventilation, and even roofs. We service Houston and surrounding areas such as Spring, The Woodlands, Conroe, Montgomery, Tomball, Magnolia, Katy, Sugarland, and more. 

Today, I wanted to start with radiant barrier. What is it? What does it do? Why is radiant barrier important?
Well, that is what I am going to tell you today. Also, stay tuned to this blog for relevant information on the different products available today to help make your home energy efficient. I will tackle the myths, the truths, and shed some light on the different ways you can achieve energy efficiency and lower electric bills. Let's get started, shall we?

Radiant Barrier

Radiant barrier is installed in your attic to reduce heat gain and also to reduce energy costs. Radiant barrier is highly reflective and reflects radiant heat, so radiant heat is kept out of your attic. Cooler attic equals cooler home. Radiant heat travels in a straight line and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy.

When sunlight hits a roof, it is mainly the sun's radiant heat that makes the roof so hot. Most of this heat travels through the roof to the attic. The heat is then radiated into the attic, including the air ducts and floor. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer into the attic by reflecting that heat back out. Think of your car. When you go out on a sunny day and have to park your car in the sun, what do you do? Or what have you thought of doing? Well, most people will put up a reflective shield in their windshield. Why? Because the heat is reflected away from the car, keeping the car cooler.

The same principle applies to your home. When your attic is raging hot, and that attic is sitting right above the rest of your home, possibly housing your A/C unit as well, your home will also become hotter and your A/C will not keep up. Unless you install a radiant barrier to reflect some of that awful heat back out. Radiant barrier is most effective in hot climates especially when air ducts are in the attic. Radiant barrier can drastically reduce cooling costs in warm, sunny climates. But no matter what climate you live in, radiant barrier is most effective with a complete energy efficiency system, including insulation and ventilation, which I will discuss in my next post.

So, now you know you need radiant barrier. But there are many choices out there, how do you choose? Well let me break it down for you:

Radiant Barrier Spray: Radiant barrier spray was designed to reduce your attic temperatures and energy usage while also being eco-friendly when applied.  Not only does it block radiant heat from getting inside it will also radiate up to 85% of heat back into the atmosphere. Radiant barrier spray will also not interfere with electronics and cell service. It truly is a great product.

Radiant Barrier Foil: While radiant barrier foil does its job properly it does have some major cons. First off, it is more expensive as it is harder to install. Secondly, because the foil is thick and in sheets,many times it is difficult to install in your entire attic, so portions of your attic do not get coverage, thus defeating the purpose.. Also, with foil you will have cell phone issues like dropped calls. 

Attic Innovations only uses Heat Bloc Ultra Radiant Barrier Spray which is cost effective, easy to install, will not cause interference with your electronics, and will help keep your home energy efficient while lowering your energy bills. 

I hope this post has been informative. Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions. Visit our site at www.atticinnovations.com   You can also email Attic Innovations HERE or call 936-442-8926