contents 1. Benefits of Installing Reflective Insulation 2. Why Stock and Install Reflective Insulation? 3. Types of Reflective Insulation Available 4. References

The newest product in the building insulation family is reflective insulation. Reflective insulation was developed by NASA as part of the Apollo Space Program. NASA used a reflective foil covering to create a radiant barrier for both the spacecraft and space suits to reflect the intense radiation of the sun away from the astronauts by day and to reflect internal heat back inside the capsule or space suit at night for warmth. NASA estimates that "Using conventional insulation, a space suit would have required a 7-foot-thick protective layer." Reflective insulation brings this radiant barrier technology to consumers for all types of building applications.

Reflective insulation has become increasingly popular for use in homes over the last two decades as studies by the US Department of Energy, the Florida Solar Energy Center and others have proven its effectiveness. Reflective insulation can be used everywhere insulation is needed in all types of buildings.

In addition to homes, reflective insulation is the builder's choice for metal buildings as it doubles as a vapor barrier to eliminate condensation problems and has a reflective surface to enhance the lighting efficiency inside the building. It is commonly used in walls, under the roof decking, under the floor, and around ducts.

Additional uses for reflective insulation include: pole barns, sheds, poultry houses, hot water pipes, vapor barrier, computer room/medical room lining, wine room or cold storage room lining, behind a hot water radiator, under and around both sunken and above-ground swimming pools, radon barrier, and masonry walls.

• Reflective insulation has higher R-values (or resistance to heat transfer) than any other type of insulation per inch. ¼" thick reflective insulation at R-14 has more insulation value than 6 inches of common fiberglass batt.
• Reflective insulation is the only type of insulation that reflects radiant heat. Traditional fiberglass insulation has no effect on radiant heat transfer. Estimates are that between 80% and 90% of the radiant heat striking fiberglass will pass right through it. Aluminum foil reflective insulation, which can reflect up to 97% of the radiant energy that strikes it, has proven to be an outstanding radiant heat barrier.
• Reflective insulation is the only type of insulation that can be used as a vapor barrier. All other insulation requires the addition of a separate vapor retarder to prevent moisture accumulation in the walls and ceilings that can cause rot, mold, fungus, and dripping.
• Reflective insulation will not compress or absorb moisture - conditions that seriously degrade the performance of both batts and loose-fill insulation.
• Reflective insulation is non-hazardous, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. It is safer for workers to use as there are no fibers to breathe or cause skin irritation.

• General contractors/Installers
• Wholesale suppliers and distributors
• Retail hardware and home improvement stores
• Metal building suppliers

• Customers increasingly request reflective insulation to make their buildings more comfortable and energy efficient.
• Both professional installers and do-it-yourselfers want it as it is both effective and easy to install.
• Profit margins are good.

Insulation4less offers large volume discounts on insulation and a variety of related tape products including reflective tape, double sided tape and an all purpose repairing membrane. Bulk purchases – by the container or truckload - are also available from the manufacturer for the best prices.

Several different constructions of reflective insulation are available, each with their respective uses. Foil-foam-foil is considered the most versatile and is suited for almost any application in either metal frame or wood frame construction buildings.

• Prodex Foil-Foam-Foil - Two layers of polyethylene backed foil with a center layer of polyethylene foam. At R-14.5 (Details), Foil-Foam-Foil has more insulation value than 6 inches of common mass insulation, reflects radiant heat, acts as a barrier to convective and conductive heat transfer, is vapor-proof, and is unaffected by humidity. The rigid foam interior handles punctures and temperature extremes better than plastic bubbles. It is used in roofs, attics, ceilings, walls, floors, and metal buildings. Prodex Total Insulation is the only brand of reflective insulation that is both ICC-ES recognized and Energy Star Qualified.

  

• Foil-Bubble-Foil - Two layers of polytheylene-backed foil with a polyethylene bubble layer in between. At R-4.9 to 14.1 (Details), Foil-Bubble-Foil reflects radiant heat, acts as a barrier to convective and conductive heat transfer, is vapor-proof, and is unaffected by humidity. It is used for new and retrofit construction in roofs, attics, ceilings, walls, floors and metal buildings.

  

• Foil-Fiberglass-Vinyl - Encapsulated fiberglass between polytheylene-backed foil and white reinforced vinyl. At R-7.6 to 10.3 (Details), Foil-Fiberglass-Vinyl reflects radiant heat, acts as a barrier to convective and conductive heat transfer, is vapor-proof, and is unaffected by humidity. White vinyl is aesthetic and is used in metal buildings or other places where the insulation will show. It is also used with concrete floors, above or below ground swimming pools and foundation walls.

  

• Foil-Bubble-White Polyethylene A foil layer and a white polyethylene layer with a core of polyethylene bubbles. At R-7.3 (Details), Foil-Bubble-White Poly is waterproof and attractive. Its primary application is over concrete floors with or without radiant heat to keep the floor warmer, provide a radon barrier and to prevent basement moisture. It is also used to insulate swimming pools.

  

• Foil-Foil - Two layers of aluminum foil backed by woven polyolefin. Foil-Foil is a radiant barrier. It is used to reflect radiant energy as a house wrap, under the roof, in the attic, and with radiant heat flooring.

  

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Radiant Barrier Attic Fact Sheet
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/index.html

NASA Scientific and Technical Information
HEATING AND COOLING EFFICIENCY FOR HOMES
http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2004/ch_6.html

US Department of Energy
Insulation Fact Sheet
www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html

Florida Solar Energy Center
Radiant barriers: a question and answer primer
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/html/FSEC-EN-15/index.htm

Space Foundation News, Jan. 14, 2005
Space Foundation certifies Eagle Shield as a space technology improving life in earthly homes

Parker, D.S., J. R. Sherwin and M. T. Anello, January 2001
"FPC Residential Monitoring Project: New Technology Development - Radiant Barrier Pilot Project," Contract Report FSEC-CR-1231-01
Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, Florida

Reflective Insulation Manufacturer's Association
Understanding and using Reflective Insulation, Radiant Barriers And Radiation Control Coatings
May 2002
www.rima.net