Radiant Barrier Insulation Flat Roof

Radiant barriers are utilized to reduce summer heat gain in attics.

Radiant barrier insulation flat roof.

Increasing summer energy consumption and cooling costs. This method also reduces the heat subject to attic mounted ac duct work thereby allowing them to work more efficiently. Attics heat up when the sun s radiant energy heats the shingles and the heat is transferred to the interior attic space through the roofing materials via conduction. Radiant barrier is a highly reflective material typically made of aluminum which blocks the transfer of radiant heat by reflecting it away from its surface offering a permanent way to reduce your monthly utility costs.

Installing a radiant barrier underneath the roof will cause the roof temperature to increase by a few degrees usually 2 10º. The heat that would normally be absorbed by the insulation is now being bounced back to the roof deck and causing the roof to emit more heat upward rather than both upward and downward. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. Roof systems on commercial buildings or flat roofed residences are usually quite different from most residential roofs.

By reducing the amount of radiant heat reaching the insulation in your attic the insulation remains cooler and is able to keep your home more comfortable. The temperature of the attic space increases and that heat is transferred to the building below. A radiant barrier works best when it is perpendicular to the radiant energy striking it. April 19 2019 posted in.

During cold weather a radiant barrier on top of the insulation could cause water vapor to condense on the barrier s underside. It is meant to supplement insulation not replace it. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces including the air ducts and the attic floor. Using radiant barrier outside on flat roofs concrete buildings would laying atticfoil directly on the roof of these buildings be effective in reducing the heat absorbed by the roof and radiating into the structure below.

Condensation of large amounts of water could lead to the following problems. Prevents corrosion and surface deterioration. 1 the existing insulation could become wet and lose some of its insulating value 2 water spots could appear on the ceiling and 3 under severe conditions the ceiling framing could rot. Radiant barrier foil insulation systems block radiant heat energy instead of absorbing it like fiberglass insulation.