NEW ORLEANS Blog

Radiant Barrier Can Be a Great Insulation Option for Your Home

Most people have heard of popular insulation options like batt and spray foam insulation, but have you thought about radiant barrier as an option for your home? A radiant barrier can be installed in new or existing homes and buildings, and is usually installed in the attic and under the home. Radiant barriers work well with other insulation types and can unveil a multitude of benefits for your home's energy efficiency and comfort.

How Radiant Barriers Work

What exactly is radiant barrier insulation? It's a highly reflective material designed to reflect heat instead of absorbing it. This reflective quality makes it particularly effective in reducing heating and cooling energy costs by keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Unlike some insulation materials, radiant barriers remain unaffected by humidity, making them ideal for areas like the Greater New Orleans Area. 

Radiant barrier insulation is a reflective film mounted with or without levels of bubble foam and other materials and installed on an attic ceiling to the joists. Under a home it is installed to the joists creating an expansion of the home envelope. During warmer months, the material reflects radiant heat, preventing heat transfer from the roof to other areas of the house. In colder seasons, it helps retain heat by reflecting a home's radiant heat back into its interior.

Under the home, the radiant barrier is attached to the bottom of the floor joist, taped and sealed so that the additional air and radiant barrier become a form of insulation between your house and the cold outside. The radiant barrier keeps cold air from entering the home and is completely moisture resistant. Many customers are looking for alternatives to spray foam under a home, and radiant barriers can be an excellent way to accomplish those goals.

Combining Radiant Barriers with Other Insulations.

One key difference to note is that radiant barriers work by reflecting heat back to its source, rather than reducing heat conduction like traditional insulation materials. This makes them a valuable addition to your home’s insulation options, especially when paired with other insulation types. When combined with blown-in insulation, radiant barriers can significantly enhance your home's energy efficiency and comfort levels. By blocking radiant heat from the sun and improving insulation performance, they offer a comprehensive solution for maintaining consistent temperatures and reducing energy costs. Essentially the radiant barrier stops the heat from entering the attic, relatively keeping the attic cooler - or a lot less hot than without it as an added feature.

What Can Radiant Barriers Do for Your Home?

When properly installed, radiant barriers reflect up to 96% of radiant heat. It's important to emphasize that the effectiveness of radiant barriers relies on proper installation. Therefore, it's recommended to seek professional installation help to ensure optimal performance. For radiant barriers to work properly, they need to face the source of radiant heat and have an air gap between the barrier and the source. If the radiant barrier is sandwiched against the surface and doesn’t have that air gap, it becomes a means of conduction. Improper installation can lead to diminished effectiveness or even increase cooling costs by conducting heat into the attic instead of reflecting it away. Therefore, it's crucial to avoid common mistakes like installing the barrier directly on top of attic floor insulation or failing to maintain an adequate air gap. Placing a radiant barrier directly on top of the attic floor insulation is completely ineffective and will be sensitive to dust collection. It may also trap moisture in fiber insulation. A properly installed radiant barrier offers an incredible value. It is a low-cost option that complements the benefits of other insulation throughout your home and can save you money.

Call Koala Insulation of Greater New Orleans to Discuss Radiant Barrier Options

Radiant barrier insulation helps to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home. By reflecting radiant heat and enhancing insulation performance, it can help you save on energy bills while maintaining a comfortable environment year-round. Koala of GNO can provide you with proper installation and show how radiant barriers prove to be a valuable asset in your home's insulation strategy. Contact us today for a free insulation evaluation!