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Does radiant barrier in attic work?
Posted on 8/6/24 at 2:11 pm
Posted on 8/6/24 at 2:11 pm
Does it really lower attic temps in the summer or will I waste my time and money doing this? I’ll be attaching it to the underside of the attic rafters and making sure to leave a space at the top for the heat to escape through the ridge vents.
Anyone else have this and did it make a significant difference?
What about cell reception - is that affected?
Anyone else have this and did it make a significant difference?
What about cell reception - is that affected?
10
Posted on 8/6/24 at 2:59 pm to TDsngumbo
Yes. I installed it in the attic of some rental property as the previous owner had bought the barrier but never installed it. I don't know how much it lowered the temp but it was significant. Enough that while I stalking it I would take breaks every 15 minutes. After installing, I was able to spend an hour at a time up there doing electrical rewiring.bthis was in July in Dallas
Posted on 8/6/24 at 3:00 pm to TDsngumbo
There have been a few threads here about radiant barrier. You have to search with google to find them.
The short answer is yes it helps. It is hard to quantify how much. I did it in my attic and I took temperature readings before and after. I don't remember the numbers but it helps.
I can not answer about cell reception. My house is two story so it doesn't seem to affect the bottom floor.
Any other questions?
Here are some of the other threads from here.
Radiant Barrier on Tigerdroppings
Radiant Barrier success story
The short answer is yes it helps. It is hard to quantify how much. I did it in my attic and I took temperature readings before and after. I don't remember the numbers but it helps.
I can not answer about cell reception. My house is two story so it doesn't seem to affect the bottom floor.
Any other questions?
Here are some of the other threads from here.
Radiant Barrier on Tigerdroppings
Radiant Barrier success story
This post was edited on 8/6/24 at 3:02 pm
Posted on 8/6/24 at 3:50 pm to TDsngumbo
Following this as well. Very interested in doing it in the Lafayette area. No natural shade yet as my trees are young.
Posted on 8/6/24 at 4:11 pm to tdme
I just bought 2,000 sq ft of it and plan on installing it this weekend. The shade that used to cover most of my house was eliminated during Ida so I'm in 90% direct sunshine all day and it's having a significant impact now.
Posted on 8/6/24 at 4:42 pm to TDsngumbo
If you don’t mind share some pics of how you installed the barrier. I might do something similar.
Posted on 8/6/24 at 5:03 pm to TDsngumbo
I have the laminated deck boards with radiant barrier. While I have no before and after, it is much cooler up there based on previous attic experience. Cell reception did take a hit, but wifi calling solves that issue
Posted on 8/6/24 at 5:12 pm to TDsngumbo
I don’t think there is any question that they work, they typically will lower attic temperature 15-20 F, which can make a big difference in home comfort on the hottest days of the year, like now.
The bigger question has always been ROI - how long does it take to recoup cost of installing a radiant barrier via energy saving. Studies in FL show it takes a decade plus (if I recall from memory). But I’m sure the studies didn’t take into account the lower cost of DYI install. Plus, what price can you put on being more comfortable in your home?
I suppose a better question would be is it more cost effective to direct the $ associated with installing a radiant barrier towards better air sealing the attic from the conditioned area, adding more attic insulation & possibly adding additional insulation to the HVAC ducts in the attic, assuming they are rigid ducts wrapped in R4 insulation (I think current code is R-8 duct wrap). Of course, one can do all these things over time.
The bigger question has always been ROI - how long does it take to recoup cost of installing a radiant barrier via energy saving. Studies in FL show it takes a decade plus (if I recall from memory). But I’m sure the studies didn’t take into account the lower cost of DYI install. Plus, what price can you put on being more comfortable in your home?
I suppose a better question would be is it more cost effective to direct the $ associated with installing a radiant barrier towards better air sealing the attic from the conditioned area, adding more attic insulation & possibly adding additional insulation to the HVAC ducts in the attic, assuming they are rigid ducts wrapped in R4 insulation (I think current code is R-8 duct wrap). Of course, one can do all these things over time.
Posted on 8/6/24 at 5:17 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
I just bought 2,000 sq ft of it and plan on installing it this weekend.
Be careful with that in this heat - be sure you have your phone on you and someone’s in house to “rescue” you if required.
Posted on 8/6/24 at 8:56 pm to CrawDude
Wait until cooler weather.My uncle had a heatsroke up in his attic a few years ago.EMTs had to bring him down on a papoose board.
They told me they have to bring men down out of hot attics every summer.
They told me they have to bring men down out of hot attics every summer.
Posted on 8/6/24 at 9:41 pm to CrawDude
I know a baw who has been doing ductwork as a side hustle for 15years. A couple weeks ago he just pulled one to many duct runs and it almost cost him. Had to lay out on the floor for an hour with his 15yo beside him with a phone ready to call 911 if he stopped talking. He made it out alright and got an IV the next morning.
He hadn't had an issue like that for those 15years but I guess maybe age and pushing it a bit too far caught up with him.
He hadn't had an issue like that for those 15years but I guess maybe age and pushing it a bit too far caught up with him.
Posted on 8/7/24 at 7:29 am to Bow08tie
quote:
If you don’t mind share some pics of how you installed the barrier. I might do something similar.
This website has all the information that you need.
I ordered the foil from them.
Attic Foil
Posted on 8/7/24 at 9:03 am to tdme
interesting point in those threads about cell phone reception after installing these barriers.
Posted on 8/7/24 at 9:11 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
plan on installing it this weekend
i bought 2000 sqft and planned on installing it a couple weekends ago. I did about 400 sqft over the weekend and edged on heat stroke the entire time lol.
Depending on the construction of your roof, it can be a major pain. But im determined to finish it. Will post pics as i go along if youre interested.
The one thing that bothers me the most is the lack of instruction on how to really install it correctly. Im assuming that there has to be an unobstructed path from the bottom to the top so the hot air can escape closer to your ridge vents or turbines. That has proven to be more difficult than it sounds.
Trying to get staples going while trying not to fall through your ceiling will make you want to staple it where you shouldnt ie creating a trapped area where air cant escape. I plan on "roughing it in" and then removing staples where there are trapped areas and then using aluminum tape to seal.
The other thing that im unsure about is the "tent method" that is basically a horizontal layer above your head. This would be to reflect sunlight from areas that you cant reach and also provide a path to the top of your roof. Is that really needed? I dont know but it will add a lot more work
Posted on 8/7/24 at 10:29 am to jamiegla1
quote:
Trying to get staples going while trying not to fall through your ceiling will make you want to staple it where you shouldnt ie creating a trapped area where air cant escape. I
I got 70% of my roof done a few years ago, and need to finish maybe in the winter. I'd describe doing it yourself as trying to make a bed while lying in it. It's a series of comical errors as you try to tack a starting point and continue it on straight. I eventually determined it didn't need to be photogenic but functional.
Posted on 8/7/24 at 12:03 pm to TDsngumbo
I put it up on the ceiling decking in my wood shop building. It helped a lot in this southern Oklahoma heat.
Posted on 8/7/24 at 2:10 pm to jamiegla1
quote:please post pics if you don't mind. i have a very tall roof that gets full western sun and it is horrendous in the summer. my bonus room bakes pretty good as well. told myself i'd do this last year but forgot when it cooled off.
jamiegla1
Posted on 8/7/24 at 2:45 pm to TDsngumbo
yes
Posted on 8/7/24 at 4:37 pm to lsujro
Yep no problem. Just don’t laugh at my work
That’s the entire reason I’m doing this. I need more blown insulation and that will make downstairs just fine. But the bonus room upstairs will not benefit from that.
quote:
my bonus room bakes pretty good as well.
That’s the entire reason I’m doing this. I need more blown insulation and that will make downstairs just fine. But the bonus room upstairs will not benefit from that.
Posted on 8/7/24 at 8:25 pm to RaginCajunz
quote:
I got 70% of my roof done a few years ago
How did it work out? See any benefits?
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