Radiant Barrier Insulation

A radiant barrier is a type of insulation that's designed to reflect radiant heat, thereby reducing the amount of heat transfer from the outside to the inside of a building or vice versa. This is particularly effective in climates where cooling expenses constitute a significant portion of energy costs. The functionality of a radiant barrier hinges on two primary principles: Reflectivity and Emissivity. The aluminum component of the barrier is highly reflective, meaning it bounces back a significant portion of the incoming heat, preventing it from penetrating through the barrier. 

The second principle, Emissivity, refers to the ability of a material to emit absorbed heat. Aluminum has a low emissivity rate of about 0.03, which implies that only 3% of the absorbed heat is emitted into the cooler side of the barrier. For a radiant barrier to be most effective, it should be installed in a manner that allows for an air space or a low-density material on both sides of the barrier. Even if the installation only allows for an air space on one side, the barrier can still significantly reduce heat transfer, making it an effective solution for energy efficiency in both summer and winter seasons.

Serving San Jose and surrounding areas in California, Greenshield Insulation is your go-to home renovation contractor for all insulation needs.

The amount of savings on energy bills from installing a radiant barrier can be significant and varies based on several factors including the local climate, the design and size of your home, as well as your energy usage habits. 

Radiant barriers work by blocking most of the radiant heat from penetrating insulation and heating up your house during summer. In the winter, it reflects some of the lost heat back towards the living area of your hous

According to the Department of Energy, installing a radiant barrier in the attic can reduce heat gain through the ceiling by up to 42%. This reduced heat load can lead to savings of up to 17% on cooling utility bills.e.

Some of our customers have taken the time to compare their electric usage and weather data, and calculate their savings after installing ARMA FOIL™. They reported savings on their energy cost ranging from 12% up to 39% on usage, although we cannot confirm this. 

Furthermore, a simple light box demonstration shows the effect that ARMA FOIL™ radiant barrier has when applied to the outside of regular insulation. 

The side with ARMA FOIL™ only reads 88.7°F as compared to the side without ARMA FOIL™ which reads over 120°F. 

This dramatic difference clearly illustrates how much radiant heat is blocked by the radiant barrier, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning or heating and leading to lower energy consumption and lower energy bills.

We offer a range of products tailored to suit various radiant barrier installation needs. We offer three main radiant barrier products. 

• ARMA FOIL™, our best seller, known for its ease of installation, long-term reliability, lightweight and very high tear strength making it suitable for general purposes. 

• Classic Series™ is known for its high tear strength, shapeability, and excellent price, making it ideal for high roof pitches, complicated trusses, or exposed areas. 

• Economy Series™ offers the lowest cost but remains highly efficient, making it suitable for simple installations with normal roof pitches. 

• Lastly, Radiant Barrier Paint (IRCC) is recommended where ease of installation is most important such as very low roof pitches or hard-to-reach areas.

INSTALLATION AREAS

• For attic installations, perforated material is the recommended option. If you plan to attach the radiant barrier to the attic space using staples, ARMA FOIL™ is the suitable choice. Similarly, for applications where hanging by staples isn't required, ARMA FOIL™ is recommended.

• For house wraps, the choice of product largely depends on the climate zone. In most US climate zones, ARMA FOIL™ is the preferred option. However, in certain specific zones, it may be more beneficial to use ARMA FOIL-VB™. Local building codes should also be considered; if they require a true vapor barrier on the wall's exterior, ARMA FOIL-VB™ can be used. Otherwise, ARMA FOIL™, which allows your wall to breathe, is the recommended choice.

• In floor installations, generally, ARMA FOIL™ is advised when installing radiant floor insulation or in a crawl space. Depending on local building codes, if a true vapor barrier on the insulation's exterior side is required, ARMA FOIL-VB™ can be used. If not, ARMA FOIL™, which lets your floor breathe to the outside, is the suitable choice.

• For interior vapor barriers, especially in climates dominated by heating (typically northern states), it is ideal to install a vapor barrier on the insulation's interior side. In this case, ARMA FOIL-VB™ should be used when installing a radiant barrier in a wall or ceiling on the insulation's interior side.

For radiant barrier insulation, we offer a rebate of $0.75 to $2.00 per square foot, up to a total of $1,000. Radiant barrier insulation is an effective method of reducing summer heat gain and winter heat loss, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs.

To assist with the cost of installation, we also provide financing options. They allow you to pay off the cost of your radiant barrier insulation project over a set period, making it a more manageable investment. Please contact us for more details about these financing options.