Foil insulation, also known as radiant barrier insulation, works by reflecting radiant heat rather than absorbing it. This type of insulation is designed to reduce heat transfer by reflecting thermal radiation, which is one of the three ways heat moves (the other two being conduction and convection). The aluminum foil insulation provides three valued insulation solutions: thermal protection, vapor protection, and flame retardancy. These qualities, together, help protect construction from damage over time and help lower overall energy costs. Here's how foil insulation works:
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1. Reflecting Heat: Foil insulation is typically made of a layer of aluminum foil or metalized film that is attached to a substrate material, such as foam or bubble wrap. The reflective surface of the foil reflects radiant heat away from the surface, preventing it from penetrating the insulation material.
2. Radiant Barrier: Foil insulation acts as a radiant barrier, meaning it reflects heat energy rather than absorbing it. When installed in a building or structure, foil insulation reflects the radiant heat from the sun or other heat sources, keeping the interior space cooler in hot climates and warmer in cold climates.
3. Installation: Foil insulation is usually installed in attics, walls, roofs, and crawl spaces to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. It can be installed with the reflective side facing the heat source to maximize its effectiveness in reflecting radiant heat.
4. Complementary Insulation: Foil insulation is often used in conjunction with traditional insulation materials like fiberglass or foam to provide a comprehensive thermal barrier. While traditional insulation materials work by slowing down heat transfer through conduction and convection, foil insulation complements these by addressing radiant heat transfer.
5. Energy Efficiency: By reducing the amount of radiant heat entering or leaving a building, foil insulation helps improve energy efficiency and can lead to lower heating and cooling costs. It can also help maintain more consistent indoor temperatures and reduce the workload on heating and cooling systems.
6. Fire Resistance: Aluminum foil used in foil insulation is naturally fire-resistant, adding an extra layer of safety to the building envelope. This fire resistance can help prevent the spread of flames in the event of a fire.
7. Durability: Foil insulation is durable and long-lasting, providing effective thermal performance for many years without significant degradation. It is also resistant to moisture and mold growth, making it a reliable choice for insulation in various applications.
Overall, foil insulation works by reflecting radiant heat, making it an effective solution for improving thermal performance, energy efficiency, and comfort in buildings. Its ability to reduce heat transfer through radiation helps create a more comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environment.
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Heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by conduction from a hotter location within a material or assembly to a colder location, like the way a spoon placed in a hot cup of coffee conducts heat through its handle to your hand. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid or gas -- air, for example -- is heated, becomes less dense, and rises. As the liquid or gas cools, it becomes denser and falls. Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from any surface and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy.
Most common insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow and -- to a lesser extent -- convective heat flow. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. To be effective, the reflective surface must face an air space. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface will reduce its reflective capability. The radiant barrier should be installed in a manner to minimize dust accumulation on the reflective surface.
When the sun heats a roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot. Much of this heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces, including the air ducts and the attic floor. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic.
A radiant barrier works best when it is perpendicular to the radiant energy striking it. Also, the greater the temperature difference between the sides of the radiant barrier material, the greater the benefits a radiant barrier can offer.
Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates than in cool climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.
A radiant barrier's effectiveness depends on proper installation, so it's best to use a certified installer. If you choose to do the installation yourself, carefully study and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions and check your local building and fire codes. The reflective insulation trade association also offers installation tips.
It's easier to incorporate radiant barriers into a new home, but you can also install them in an existing home, especially if it has an open attic. In a new house, an installer typically drapes a rolled-foil radiant barrier foil-face down between the roof rafters to minimize dust accumulation on the reflective faces (double-faced radiant barriers are available). This is generally done just before the roof sheathing goes on, but can be done afterwards from inside the attic by stapling the material to the bottom of the rafters.
When installing a foil-type barrier, it's important to allow the material to "droop" between the attachment points to make at least a 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) air space between it and the bottom of the roof. Foil-faced plywood or oriented strand board sheathing is also available.
Note that reflective foil will conduct electricity, so workers and homeowners must avoid making contact with bare electrical wiring. 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.
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