Radiant barriers are one of the most
cost efficient means for reducing your energy bill and making
your home more comfortable.
On a summer day in Houston, the
temperature in your attic can easily reach 150 degrees or more.
When this heat transfers into your living spaces, your air
conditioning system must run longer to cool your home.
Radiant barriers reduce the heat
that is transferred into your attic, and then the living spaces
of your home. In turn, this makes your home more comfortable and
reduces the load on your air conditioning. And, of course, the
less your air conditioner runs, the lower your energy bills.
Most building materials block very
little heat. Wood, OSB, and drywall transfer heat very
efficiently. Consequently, when these materials are heated they
transfer that heat to adjoining areas.
Radiant barriers work by reflecting
radiant heat. This prevents the transfer of radiant heat through
your shingles and roof decking.
While many products are available as
a radiant barrier, many can be labor intensive to retrofit.
Foils for example, must be stapled to the roof decking, and many
areas of the roof decking may not be accessible. Spray on
radiant barriers are more economical to install, and more areas
of the roof decking can be accessed.
