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Frequently Asked Questions
Building Material Applications:
Why buy Reflectix® Insulation and Reflectix® Radiant Barrier products?
Reflectix is the Industry Leader! We manufacture the highest quality, most extensively-tested, readily-available, foil-based insulation and radiant barriers in the United States. With Reflectix® products, there is no middleman. We are the manufacturer and we operate with a quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2000. Our testing regiment is second to none. Distribution of our products is nationwide through DIY Retailers, Contractor Sales Groups and Industrial/Commercial Building Product Suppliers.
What are the advantages of foil-based insulations and radiant barriers?
The two main advantages would be the ease of installation and the diversity of applications. Reflectix® Insulation and Radiant Barriers are very easy to handle and also to install. All that is required are simple hand tools and access to the area requiring the product. Reflectix® foil-based products are some of the most diverse building materials available, with over twenty verified applications for residential homes, industrial/commercial buildings and agricultural structures.
What are Conduction, Convection and Radiation?
These are the 3 methods of heat transfer:
Conduction: Heat flow through a material.
Convection: Heat flow transferred by the movement of air.
Radiation: The transfer of heat flow by way of infrared waves (radiant energy).
What types of heat flow do Reflectix® products address?
Conductive: In applications where an R-value is noted.
Radiant: These applications are referenced as providing a Radiant Barrier benefit.
What are the differences in performance between the Foil/Bubble Insulation and the Foil/Scrim/Foil Radiant Barrier?
Both products contain the same aluminum foil and can be utilized as Reflective Insulations or as a Radiant Barrier. The key difference is in the structure. The Foil/Bubble products have strength and substance (from the bubble) that are ideal for a wide variety (15+) of applications (Residential and Industrial/Commercial). The Foil/Scrim/Foil Radiant Barrier product is designed primarily for residential attic applications as a radiant barrier.
How is the Reflectix® Foil Tape utilized in Foil/Bubble Applications?
Our tape serves as the best means to join ends of Reflectix® Foil/Bubble Insulation together because it ensures a continuous reflective surface and prevents air leakage that can cause condensation (in certain (specified) applications).
What is the temperature range of the product(s)?
Reflectix® Foil/Bubble Insulation can be installed in environments with a range of -60 degrees to 180 degrees F. The Reflectix® Foil/Scrim Radiant Barrier is rated at -60 degrees to 180 degrees F. The operating temperature range of the Reflectix® Foil Tape is -60 degrees to 180 degrees F.
Reflective Insulation:
What is a Reflective Insulation?
A reflective insulation reduces radiant heat transfer across air spaces by use of one or more high reflective/low emittance surfaces (Reflectivity of 90% or higher - Emissivity of 10% or less). This rate of heat transfer can be quantified in an R-value (for a specific application).
How do the products work as a Reflective Insulation?
In the same way fiberglass or other mass insulations provide benefit, reflective insulation reduces conductive heat transfer. When a highly-reflective/low emittance material (such as aluminum foil) is installed in a building assemblage, in conjunction with an air space, (foil side of product) it provides a quantifiable R-value level of benefit.
What is an R-value?
An R-value is an assigned number derived from a specific testing procedure to determine a materials (or building assemblage) “resistance to conductive heat transfer”. The higher the R-value, the more resistant a material (or building assemblage) is to conductive heat transfer.
What about R-values and why are they different per application?
R-values for reflective insulations are dependent on two criteria:
1. Heat Flow Direction
2. The amount of air space in a closed cavity on the foil side of the product in a building assemblage
This is the reason our product has different R-values for different applications (varying amount of air space and heat flow directions). Our stated R-value for a specific application is based on the same test methods of other insulations.
What is meant by the terms up, down and horizontal?
These are in reference to heat flow directions. They are a part of the criteria utilized in R-value testing. For example, when testing a floor assemblage, heat flow down is tested. When testing for a wall system occurs, heat flow horizontal is tested (same as all conductive heat transfer insulations).
If you install 2 layers, does the R-value double?
No. Our products do not operate in this manner. Minimal benefit is netted when the product is doubled.
Why do you need spacers?
Spacers are needed for two reasons:
1. Spacers produce an air space in an assemblage where one ordinarily would not be present.
2. They enhance the existing system by increasing the number of air spaces from one to two.
What if there is no air space present on either side of the product?
No Air Space – No Benefit.
What types of spacers can be utilized?
There are a variety. Here are some examples:
• Reflectix® Foil/Bubble Insulation cut into 2” strips
• 1” x 2” Furring Strips
• Thermal Breaks
• Reflectix® Duct Spacers
What is the fire rating of the Reflectix® Foil/Bubble Insulation?
Reflectix® has a Class A/Class 1 Fire Rating on our Foil/Bubble Insulation. It also meets all fire and smoke safety requirements of federal, state and local building codes. (Satisfies UL 723, NFPA 255 and UBC 42-1.)
Radiant Barriers:
What is an example of Radiant Energy?
An example would be the hot sensation you feel on your skin when walking from shade into direct sunlight.
What is a Radiant Barrier?
Radiant Barrier is a material that is a poor re-transmitter of infrared waves (radiant energy). By definition, this re-transmission characteristic (emissivity) must be at or below 10%. The emissivity of Reflectix® products is approximately 3%. Therefore, when a Radiant Barrier is installed in a residential attic, it “blocks” 90% + of the radiant energy that is being radiated by the hot roofing materials. This equates to a cooler attic resulting in a house that requires less air conditioning usage to maintain comfortable inside temperatures.
How does the product work being so thin?
The key is the foil. It has a very low re-transmission rate (emissivity) of Radiant Energy. It blocks 97% of the Radiant Energy that it encounters and this translates to as much as a 30 degrees F reduction in attic surface temperatures. A cooler attic results in a cooler house requiring less air conditioning usage.
How much will I save on my electric bill with a Radiant Barrier?
Savings of up to 15% off your air conditioning usage are typical. This can be a larger number if you have ducts mounted in your attic space.
Does a Radiant Barrier have an R-value?
No. Products with R-values reduce rates of “conductive” heat transfer and are tested for this characteristic. Radiant Barriers provide benefit by dramatically reducing “radiant” heat transfer which is just as quantifiable but not related to R-value type performance.
Will the product hurt my shingles?
No, absolutely not. There has been significant testing on this issue and it has been proven that a Radiant Barrier installed in a residential attic will have not have any detrimental effect on the shingles.
Is ventilation required for a Radiant Barrier?
Ventilation is not required, but it is extremely helpful when addressing convective heat transfer. If an attic system has a mass insulation, (such as fiberglass), a Radiant Barrier and a ridge vent, it has addressed all three types of heat flow; conductive, convective and radiant.
Is dust an issue in the residential attic mounted Radiant Barrier?
Dust only comes into play when the product is installed in blanket fashion on the floor of the attic. Dust should be removed periodically for the product to maintain its effectiveness. Installations with the product on the roof deck or underside of the rafter require no maintenance.
What is the fire rating of the Reflectix® Foil/Scrim/Foil Radiant Barrier?
Reflectix® has a Class A/Class 1 Fire Rating on the Foil/Scrim/Foil Radiant Barrier meeting all fire and smoke safety requirements of federal, state and local building codes. (Satisfies UL 723, NFPA 255 and UBC 42-1.)
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