Radiant Barrier Insulation Services in Oxnard, CA

Radiant barriers are installed in homes, usually in attics, primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. They are one of the most effective ways to insulate the home and have become really popular because of its sustainable benefits. It is a type of reflective insulation; a high-performance product that can help to somehow extend the life of your air conditioner.

Heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat transfers by conduction from a hotter location within a material or assembly to a colder location. Heat transfer by convection occurs in liquids and gases. As the liquid or gas cools, it becomes denser and falls. Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from any surface and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy.

Most common insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow and convective heat flow; while, radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. Radiant barriers are most effective in hot climates than in cool climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic but dust and other accumulation on the reflective surface of the radiant barrier reduce its reflective capability.

Radiant barriers consist of a highly reflective material, usually aluminum foil, which is applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials such as craft paper, plastic films, cardboard, oriented strand board, and air infiltration barrier material. Some products are fiber-reinforced to increase durability and ease of handling. Double-faced radiant barriers are also available.

Radiant barriers can be combined with many types of insulation materials in reflective insulation systems. In these combinations, radiant barriers can act as the thermal insulation’s facing material.

Radiant barriers are installed in the attic by stapling the material to the underside of the roof deck, normally on the rafters.

A radiant barrier’s effectiveness depends upon its installation, so it’s best to use a certified professional installer.

It’s easier to incorporate radiant barriers into a new home, but you can also install them in older homes, especially if it has an open attic. In a new house, an installer typically drapes a rolled-foil radiant barrier foil-face down between the roof rafters to minimize dust accumulation on the reflective faces. This is generally done just before the roof sheathing goes on, but can be done afterward from inside the attic by stapling the material to the bottom of the rafters.

Foil-faced plywood or oriented strand board sheathing is also available as complementary or substitute items for the traditional kind and they can be installed pretty much anywhere.

Reflective foil conducts electricity, so making contact with bare electrical wiring must be avoided and thus, the working should be handled by professionals only.

Attic Leader installs radiant barriers on attics and they are experts in saving your electric consumption through your attic as well as on various other parts of your home. If you are interested in radiant barrier installation, you can rely on Attic Leader insulation contractors in Oxnard for that.