Radiant Barrier Foil Questions

15 years ago

My one-story home is approximately 2,800 square feet, plus an attached two car garage; roof has a fairly steep pitch. Receieved a rough estimate of $3,200.00 to install radiant barrier foil. Is that a good price?

Also, how would one go about locating a roof leak if radiant foil was installed? Is this a down-side to using it?

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Comments (4)

radiantman08
15 years ago
why would you put radiant in your roof. they are really suppose to be in floor and somtimes in the wall..... but in all reality heat rises so the floor is a better option.
youu will have to explain more of what your trying to do?
zl700
15 years ago
Radiantman,

Key words are - Radiant Barrier Foil

Radiant barrier is very common in the south. In fact HD sells plywood roof sheeting coated on one side here with silver foil for just that purpose.
"Why would you put radiant in the roof?" ThatÂs a funny one.

Mr. Jones

The one sided foil has small perforations in it that will let water through however; it isnÂt run all the way to the bottom so you can inspect there to.

I have a new home with it; it is amazing how cool my attics are when the sun is shining and so hot out. IÂm planning on doing my detached garage when the weather gets cooler.
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What most people forget about radiant energy is that it is infra-red light that radiates from any object to another object without warming the air it travels through and when it strikes ordinary construction materials it is mostly absorbed and then is transmitted by conduction. Polished aluminum will not absorb or transmit infra-red energy very well so it is considered a "barrier". It is efficient in terms of material since it can be a thin layer of aluminum foil in front of a 3/4" or larger air space, thus it is something that can be carried as an emergency blanket although when something warm touches it, it has no insulation qualities at all. In a building, the foil isn't free and it requires space that could have been insulated and the heat involved is eventually transferred across the air space by convection (unless there is a vacuum). All insulation and radiant barriers only slow the transfer of heat down rather than stopping it.
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I would also suggest checking prices of "food service foil" available at Sam's Club and restaurant supply stores. Less expensive, large rolls, available in heavy-duty foil. Beats the heck out of the price of grocery store boxes of foil. Be sure to let us know if you give this a try, cost, and savings.... -Grainlady
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If youÂre tearing up the sheathing under the shingles, you can purchase the plywood with the aluminum barrier attached to one side and do both at once. Having it on the plywood it the best method to apply the radiant barrier. I have it on the underside of my sheathing, my neighbor with the same shingles does not, we both have full vented soffits and ridge vents. His attic is 30 degrees hotter than mine when the sun is shining.
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radiantman08
15 years ago
z700, isnt that more of house contruction question more then a building question?

george
zl700
15 years ago
Could be but a hot attic certainly affects the cooling load

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Radiant Barrier Foil Questions

Comments (4)

radiantman08

zl700

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