Foam Board Insulation Radiant Barrier

If you remember back to high school science days heat transfers three ways conduction convection and radiation.

Foam board insulation radiant barrier.

Foam insulation rigid boards are 4 x8 sheets usually cast of closed cell polystyrene designed to fit directly inside walls against the interior or exterior of plywood sheathing as well as on top of sub floors. The radiant barrier acts as your first line of defense against radiant heat and the foam closed attic acts as the second line of defense against conductive heat flow. Benefits of installing spray foam insulation. Radiant barrier foil is different than spray foam because atticfoil s reflectivity of radiant heat is 97 meaning you stop the heat from ever even entering the home.

A radiant barrier insulation system can reduce your attic temperature by as much as 30 f providing cooler attic spaces and more beneficially more comfortable living spaces within your home without the extra load on your cooling system. May 16 2013 posted in. Foam insulation most commonly comes in two forms. Another alternative to radiant barrier foil are the various types of foam insulation.

What is foam insulation. Builders dealers diy framers. Double reflective insulation roll with staple tab edge for a versatile insulation product select for a versatile insulation product select reflectix insulation to help save energy costs throughout the home. Whether you use it in a crawl space radiant floor attic or walls you ll find it easy to handle and install.

Foam isn t going to perform like radiant barrier because like traditional insulation foam slows conductive heat gain loss but it doesn t actually stop it. The rigid foam insulation addresses the conduction and convection and adding a radiant barrier addresses radiation you ll find that adding a radiant barrier is best practice but only when there is an air space. Rigid foam insulation also known as insulating boards provide high r values. You can even place it under the foundation slab.

When installing attic insulation a case can be made for both radiant barrier sheathing with typical types of insulation as well as spray foam insulation. A number of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing between these two especially the climate zone that you re building in.