Also the greater the temperature difference between the sides of the radiant barrier material the greater the benefits a radiant barrier can offer.
Radiant barrier finished attic.
A radiant barrier works best when it is perpendicular to the radiant energy striking it.
Radiant barriers are utilized to reduce summer heat gain in attics and help to improve the efficiency of green building envelopes.
But a radiant barrier is very effective addressing another way to transmit heat.
A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic.
The best way i have seen to describe this effect is it s like putting your home or office under a shade tree.
Radiant barriers are made of aluminum and designed to reflect radiant heat from the sun.
If your house doesn t have continuous ridge and soffit vents so it s trapping excess heat in the attic that s a very cost effective improvement.
Unlike traditional thick layers of insulation radiant barrier is a thin reflective material.
When installed properly radiant barriers can reflect up to 95 of the radiant heat off the attic.
In combination these are very effective means to keep your attic and home cool.
You still need ventilation addresses convection and insulation addresses conduction.
Radiant barrier is a home insulation type that is focused on reducing summer heat gain.