Reflective insulation is fast becoming a standard component of total insulation and weatherization systems. This versatile insulation is designed for both new constructions and retrofits. It drastically increases indoor comfort levels while protecting against condensation in attics and wall spaces while saving you money on your energy bills.

During the winter, 50 to 75% of the heat loss that occurs through ceilings and 65 to 80% of the heat loss that occurs through walls is radiant. What does that mean? Heat is being radiated in the wrong direction. 

Radiant foil insulation works to keep heat inside in the winter, and outside in the summer - as an effective way to both lower heating costs and energy usage and also keep cooling costs in check. 

Other types of insulation are made to resist or impede the flow of warm air. Reflective radiant insulation reflects back radiant energy from the sun, keeping it from penetrating the building. It also reflects back radiant heat that comes from inside the house, preventing it from escaping. In this way, you get year-round benefits from radiant foil insulation installation.

Each unit of radiant heat energy that is reflected away from your home in summer, and each unit reflected back inside during winter means less operation of your air conditioning and heating systems, less wear and tear on equipment, and less money you pay in energy costs. 

Radiant Foil Insulation Info

Materials present in most building systems (wood, brick, glass, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, etc.) have a characteristic called "emissivity". This refers to whether or not the material absorbs or reflects heat. The larger the number rating, the more energy the material absorbs (which is then converted to heat). Common construction materials like brick, wood, steel, concrete, stucco, and tile have an emissivity of .95+/- a few points. Aluminum has an emissivity of .03.

What do these numbers mean? They mean that all common building materials, except aluminum, absorb 95% of energy and convert that energy to heat, while aluminum only absorbs 3%. Aluminum reflects 97% of the energy that hits its surface.

Why not manage this energy, rather than grappling with the heat it produces? The foil reflects heat back to its source - inside your home, this translates to heat produced by your furnace being reflected back into the living space for improved energy efficiency in the winter time; and during the summer, heat is reflected outside the house to keep cooling costs down.