

- #Attic instulation of radiant barrier insulation install#
- #Attic instulation of radiant barrier insulation skin#
Since attic insulation is dependent on its thickness for efficacy, flattening out the existing insulation will decrease its resistance value. Compressing existing insulation in your attic while installing radiant barriers will decrease, instead of increase, your cooling costs. Avoid compressing existing insulation.If you’re ever concerned about your safety, we strongly recommend hiring a professional.

The reflective foil will conduct electricity, so it is crucial that you avoid making contact with bare electrical wiring. When you’re installing radiant barriers, be especially careful when stapling near junction boxes and electrical wiring. Factoring hospital costs into your budget is not ideal. Practice care around electrical wiring.Before you start this project, make sure that you have protective clothing, eye protection, and some form of breathing protection.
#Attic instulation of radiant barrier insulation skin#
Insulation can cause irritation to the lungs and skin when handled.
#Attic instulation of radiant barrier insulation install#
To create a radiant barrier, professionals typically install metal foil over the rafters in the attic to help reflect the sun’s heat away from your home. In most cases, aluminum is used as the reflective metal, while the most common substrate materials are plastic film, cardboard, strand board, and Kraft paper. These barriers are made by coating a substrate material with a reflective material. As an added bonus, radiant barriers are unaltered by humidity and continue to perform at a consistent level regardless of how humid the climate is. In either case, radiant barriers provide a permanent way to control radiant heat.Įssentially, radiant barriers are designed to block radiant heat energy rather than absorb it – like conventional insulation does (cellulose, fiberglass, etc.). They do this by substantially diminishing the transfer of radiant heat by either reflecting it away from the surface or emitting a very small amount of heat from the surface opposite the heat source. Radiant barriers also help keep your home warmer during winter, but works to a lesser degree than in the summer. A radiant barrier is a form of reflective insulation that is usually installed in an attic to help reduce energy costs by keeping your home cooling in hot conditions.
