A Radiant Barrier is a reflective insulation system or material that comes in the form of an Aluminum foil, and acts by reducing the effect of the heat, especially during peak summers. It works by reducing the radiant heat transfer from the under portion or side of the roof, to other areas inside the attic or loft. Such a reflective mechanism or system keeps the attic space cool and pleasant during the dry & arid summer months. It can also help improve the energy-efficient of your home by 10-15%, by considerably reducing your electricity bills. It also prevents ‘winter heat loss’ by not letting the warm air escape through the attic. It is a quintessential requirement at homes that fall in ‘hot climate zones’, especially in the region around Southern California which receives sun rays almost 10-12 months in a year. Thus, it is beneficial for families that reside in heat prone zones, rather than states on the east coast of the US.
It is basically a type of material that reflects thermal radiation and minimizes heat transfer inside the house. We’re experts in all kinds of radiant barrier installation at private residences to reduce the effect of extreme heat during the peak summer months in southern California. It is usually placed in attics or lofts, thus reducing your monthly cooling costs to a significant extent. It consists of highly reflective material that goes on to reflect heat, rather than absorbing it. They are also referred to as reflective insulation systems that reduce the effect of ‘heat gain’. As heat transfers from a warm area to a cool area, this barrier acts as a protection against the most extremes of temperature. Thus, a radiant barrier must be installed in a manner to minimize dust accumulation on its surface, as excess dust can impact upon its efficiency. In layman’s terms, it is a thin aluminum foil that is placed underside the roof or in between the walls in the attic to prevent summer heat gain. It keeps the interior cool during the hot and arid months.
It is usually a highly reflective material, in a majority of cases, aluminum foil, which is either applied on one side or both the sides. It also consists of other substrate materials such as plastic films, kraft paper, oriented strand board, cardboard and wool insulation material wrapped in aluminum foil. Some of these materials are fiber-reinforced that help enhance the durability, shelf-life and are easy to maintain. One such reflective insulation system is also made by combining a number of materials that act as the main facing material where the radiant heat strikes directly and thus gets reflected away. So, the choice of barrier or insulation material must be done wisely, by taking the help of our experts in attic insulation that have got years of experience in installation, inspection and regular maintenance.
In fact, a Radiant Barrier works perfectly when it is installed perpendicular to the energy striking or falling on it. I mean the rays of the sun that strikes or falls directly on the surface of the roof or on walls. It’s primarily installed in attics to reduce the ‘summer heat gain’, thus minimizing your cooling costs or monthly air-conditioning (AC) bills to a great extent. First, the Aluminum foil is cut in proper shape and dimension, thereafter installed on the underside of the roof with the help of an adhesive or staple gun, without leaving any gaps on the under portion of the attic roof. Apart from installing it under the roof rafters, it can also be installed over the attic floor. This is how the heat from the direct sun rays are not able to penetrate the attic. At Attic Wizard, we can help you with the entire process or radiant barrier installation in the most professional manner.
Reduction in cooling & AC bills | Improving energy-efficiency |
A balanced attic space temperature | Temperature optimization |
Preventing excess heat transfer into attic | Cooling the attic space |
Adding resale value to your home | Property value appreciation |
Prevent warm air to escape in winter | Temperature barrier |
Lesser dependance on AC system | Reducing energy bills |
Our 20+ years of experience in radiant barrier installation makes us the ‘by-default’ choice among all homeowners that want to have a pleasant and comfortable home interior. We offer FREE consultations, detailed attic inspections, professional insulation & installation services, dedicated customer support and flexible/convenient payment options. We’re rated among the top insulation contractors that excel in all kinds of attic related services, which is certainly a ‘value-for-money’ proposition.
We’re recommended by a majority of home & business owners throughout this region in southern California, simply because of our professional execution of any project, big or small. We’ve a dedicated team of client support executives that can answer all your queries. You can also check-out the customer reviews on Yelp & Houzz that can help provide a fair understanding of our skills, know-how and project expertise in this exclusive service domain.
A radiant barrier installation cost always depends upon the overall surface area and dimension of the underside of the roof and the total carpet area of the attic floor, where the reflective system is going to be installed. The cost is also dependent on the type of radiant barrier material or heat reflective system that is being used.
When you notice that your attic is becoming unbearably hot during the summer months, you need to go for a radiant barrier installation in order to effectively prevent the heat transfer. It reflects the excess heat, thus keeping the attic area cool during summers. Similarly, it prevents warm air from escaping during winter.
Look for dislodged, uprooted, torn or worn-out portions of the aluminum foil which acts as a radiant barrier, thus unable to prevent the entry of heat into the attic. When the thin membrane or foil is torn or missing in some areas in the underside of the roof rafters, you need to go for a new radiant barrier.
Depending upon your needs and budget, it can vary. It can be thin Aluminum foil, heat-resistant membrane, fire-resistant propylene or mylar, as per your choice and needs. Here, you need to consult with our experts.
Always call an expert for inspecting the existing radiant barrier material, which is usually an aluminum foil or a reflective sheet made of propylene. A thourough inspection can help find out any flaws with the material and installation, thereby suggesting corrective actions.
Hire our professionals for installing a radiant barrier.