Radiant heat barrier for attic

1,591 Views | 13 Replies | Last: 20 days ago by BiggiesLX
Canawhoopazz
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Has anyone here tried installing this in a home and what kind of results did you have? I have an older home with no such barrier and the attic is alway hot as crap even with two gable vent fans running (one on each end of the house). Many thanks in advance!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1ihi3i/use_a_radiant_barrier_in_your_attic_to_keep_it/
jaggiemaggie
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AG
I'm installing them right now. Been slow process because I'm only doing them late at night I went with atticfoil


Also do you have soffit vents to let cool air in ?
Canawhoopazz
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Yes, I have soffit vents and a ridge vent. I will be doing it alone and not looking forward to it. Will likely be doing this on Saturday mornings while it's still cool enough.
BiggiesLX
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Do it. Best bang for your buck in cooling your attic.
Canawhoopazz
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Thank you. I need all the encouragement I can get!
kyle field 94
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AG
Any suggestions in Houston of someone that would install this?
jamesf
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AG
I have now installed it on two houses. I ordered it from https://www.atticfoil.com/. I also blew in a bunch of insulation, so it is hard to say exactly the effect of just the foil. However, my energy usage has been down by 30% for both June and July as compared to last year. Plus, my AC actually cools normally, instead of struggling all day and it still getting hotter inside.

The installation process is pretty simple, just cut it in long lengths and staple it to the rafters. However, it can be complicated to get it in all the nooks and crannies, depending on how your attic is laid out. I would recommend to start with the easiest areas first, then work your way to the more complicated sections. I installed mine in November and December to stay away from the summer heat.
tgivaughn
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AG
Another idea
The option for low slope, little/no crawl attic spaces has been sliding in foil-facing up insulation panels/sheathing on top of the insulation.
Cons:
the attic doesn't get cooler but there's no headroom to use it anyway
Pros:
cheaper
EZier
even with gaps between the foil, all below gets cooler
Gotta draw since me got no grammar MasterArch '76
Dill-Ag13
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AG
Just bought a new home and I have foil lined sheathing in my attic, will radiant barrier help significantly or is it more diminishing returns
Canawhoopazz
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With radiant barrier you get the air gap which may help a little more than the sheathing stuff.
Dill-Ag13
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AG
got it, i'll do some research
Canawhoopazz
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jamesf
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AG
Dill-Ag13 said:

Just bought a new home and I have foil lined sheathing in my attic, will radiant barrier help significantly or is it more diminishing returns


With the foil sheathing already installed, I would say the bigger bang for your buck would be to focus on insulation and skip the foil.
BiggiesLX
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The foil's secondary benefit acts to assist air flow from your soffit to your roof vents. Atleast begin with foil install on your west facing roof as that would be the cheapest option and go from there.
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