We’ll recommend the best thermal insulation for your attic based on your budget, performance expectations and any insulation already in place.Ĭontact Builders Installed Products Albany today to schedule the insulation services you need.A very common question is what actually is a Radiant Barrier and how does it compare to standard insulation? Radiant Barrier insulation is a reflective insulation system that offers a permanent solution to reduce your energy costs. When you’re ready to boost the insulation in your Albany home, choose the specialists at Builders Installed Products Albany to complete the job. Now that you understand radiant barrier versus thermal insulation, the answer is clear: Thermal insulation is best for cold climates. Foil insulation is rarely used in Upstate New York since it’s much better designed for sunny, hot Florida and Arizona climates.
Radiant barrier insulation install#
However, in cold climates, it’s usually more cost-effective to install extra thermal insulation rather than adding a radiant barrier. Studies show that radiant barrier can reduce cooling costs by 5% to 10% in places where the AC runs most of the year.
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Radiant barrier is effective in hot climates, especially when ductwork runs through the attic. But deciding which option or combination is best depends on your climate. Properly insulating your home is critical for keeping heating and cooling costs down, no matter where you live. Thermal Insulation: What’s Best for Upstate New York Homes? Plus, the foil loses its effectiveness if it gets dusty, which is likely to happen while lying flat on the attic floor. However, installing faced insulation on the attic floor is not advisable because the radiant barrier can trap moisture in the fibers. It’s common to find fiberglass batts with foil facings, which creates a combined thermal and radiant insulation product. Positioning a radiant barrier in the attic ceiling allows it to reflect radiant heat entering through the roof to keep the attic significantly cooler. This is because foil insulation reduces radiant heat gain rather than slowing conductive and convective heat flow. Unlike fiberglass, cellulose and other traditional thermal insulation, radiant barrier isn’t installed on the attic floor - it’s installed in the attic ceiling just below the roof.
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A radiant barrier aims to reduce summer heat gain and lower a home’s cooling costs, but not in the same way thermal insulation does. Radiant barrier, or foil insulation, consists of a highly reflective film mounted to a substrate material such as cardboard, kraft paper, oriented strand board or plastic. Radiant Barrier Insulation for Albany Homes Thermal insulation is a major part of achieving a comfortable home even as the temperature rises and falls outside. In the summer, it acts like a cooler, keeping the heat out. It acts as a blanket around your home during winter, keeping the heat in. Thermal insulation - including fiberglass, cellulose and spray foam - slows conductive heat flow and, to a lesser degree, convective heat flow.
Radiant barrier insulation how to#
Learn the difference between radiant barrier and thermal insulation, and how to make the right selection for your Albany, New York, area home. Are you hoping to improve your home’s energy efficiency by adding more attic insulation? What about a product called “radiant barrier” that you’ve heard about? Is one type of insulation better than the other?