Attic Insulation Vs Radiant Barrier

Reduced temperature of insulation results in less heat transfer into the conditioned space of the home source.

Attic insulation vs radiant barrier.

When installed correctly a radiant barrier can provide a notable difference in attic and insulation temperatures especially in the summertime and in warmer climates. This in effect will reduce the amount of radiant heat that leaches into your home from your attic making is less comfortable for you and your family especially in the warmer months. Radiant barriers are not the same as insulation. Radiant barriers can be installed alongside insulation in the attic space providing a heat shield that can lower cooling costs in the summer months.

Osb radiant barrier sheathing can reflect up to 97 of radiation and can significantly reduce attic temperatures. The cost to do it myself was roughly the same in both cases so the resulting roi was 4 times faster for the radiant barrier. Radiant barrier insulation can reflect up to 97 of radiation and reduce attic temperatures dramatically. Today you ll learn about the benefits of radiant barriers and insulation and how both can reduce heating and energy costs.

The radiant barrier resulted in roughly 4 times more savings than the added insulation. If installed on top of attic floor insulation the foil will be susceptible to dust accumulation and may trap moisture in fiber insulation so it is strongly recommended that you not apply radiant barriers directly on top of the attic floor insulation. This is because foil insulation reduces radiant heat gain rather than slowing conductive and convective heat flow. The foil surfaces of radiant barriers reflect the heat and prevent it from radiating into the attic space.

Actually you need both but read below what we learned on two identical test homes built side by side in 1986 in phoenix arizona. Radiant barrier installed right under the roof radiant barrier insulation isn t meant for soundproofing or keeping warm air from leaking up into the attic and out of the house. It works differently than other types of insulation.