Home › AtticFoil™ Reviews › Reviews of our radiant barrier foil – page 4
Radiant Barrier Foil Reviews
“I used attic foil in my attic and also in the garage. I’m pleased with the results. I feel my home and garage are cooler this year. I did my attic in the spring and I finished the garage a couple of weeks ago. I insulated my attic with R-30 then put the attic foil up on top of the insulation. I think the combination of both has made a big difference. In my garage I put in R-19 with a blanket of attic foil on top of it also. My garage rafters had nothing, open and insulated. As you can imagine really hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I’ve noticed a big difference there too. So far the house and the garage have been cooler and that makes me happy. This coming winter will be a good test. I’ve been tracking my heating bills to see if I’ll be saving some money with the improvements in the long run. Sometimes our Colorado winters can be pretty brutal. So like I mentioned I’m pleased so far. Oh yeah, doing all this is kinda of a hot and dirty job. I did all the work by myself so I could save more money. I learned a lot. When and if I had questions, I went to Attic Foil’s web site and watched some of there video’s. Easy as that! I own my home so I think it will be a good investment for all the seasons and years to come. Thank you Attic Foil!” -B.H. in CO
“Before Attic Foil installation the small confined attic spaces on either side of my finished bonus room above the garage would get to at least 114 deg minimum. The roof gets direct sun all day and in addition to being a second floor room it would get unbearable to be in there with interior temps upward of 95 deg (without AC). Even the 3 main air vents and a 8G btu window unit (sized perfectly for the room) would barely make a dent and run constantly just to get the temp down to 85-87.
After researching the Attic Foil decided it was a no-brainer to at least try it so started by attaching it against the rafters in those two attic spaces to see if it would really work. Well, the 12 deg difference it made convinced me I was on the right track and tore into the living space removing drywall etc..unfortunately no other way to do it dealing with a finished room like that and a major project but worth the effort. Now on 95+ deg days, the average interior temp of that room is 85 without AC and it used to be that with all AC units going full blast.
Obviously, I was working with a slanted ceiling and had to install the barrier between the rafters.The only problem I had installing was using the construction adhesive on the spacers between the rafters. The roof was hot and the spacers would slide all over the place or wouldn’t stay up. Use a couple short roofing nails to secure the spacers while the glue sets up. Actually in retrospect don’t really need to glue if ya use the short roofing nails. The spacers just maintain the required air gap so once the insulation is installed there’s no more upward pressure to compromise that and doesn’t really matter if they drop or not.” -D.R.A. in NC
“I purchased atticfoil after thinking about it for over 5 years(house is only 7 years old). I finally thought i have nothing to lose. I purchased and went to work in the attic. I had blown in insulation and didn’t care for it and I wanted flooring to be able to walk around the attic. So i shoveled up the blown in insulation and packed it where i could’t use the rolled insulation. Packed in between the floor joist and then i re-insulated with rolled insulation. When i went to install the atticfoil on the roof joist i realized with all the different angles on the roof line that i wasn’t able to install easily. so i went back on the website and saw i could install over top of the rolled insulation i installed. i was done with my attic in 4 hours(1500 sq ft). I’m a 50 year old women that’s pretty handy. Anyway my heat bills were almost cut in half. I just started the spring/summer season. With my ac on now with 80 plus degree temps. my thermastat is up 5 degrees higher then i have every had it to keep the house comfortable. So for energy efficient means and a do it yourself install. I’m happy as a pig in a mud pit. I highly recommend to everyone to install this product. I’m upset i didn’t do it when i first thought about it 5 years ago. I’m about to purchase another home and will be installing atticfoil as the first home improvement/weekend project i do. I highly recommend to anyone that wants to do a home improvement project that counts for energy savings and overall temperature control through out your home. I purposely left one section open with just insulation on the front side of my home. When i came down the stairs each cold morning in January there was a 10 degrees temperature difference(a lot colder). Of course i just installed that last long piece so that i have a constant temperature through out the house. love the product and the ease of install. follow atticfoils instructions on website and it is a piece a cake. I had to prove it to myself that it made a big difference and I did by leaving just that one piece undone. So what you read on the website is true and correct and again recommend this product to anyone.” -Sassy in GA
“Superior Product & Reasonable Price for Quantity given in AtticFoil’s roll!!! Super Fast Shipping!!! Compaired to Big Home Improvement Stores selling Inferior/Overpriced per/foot rolls. AtticFoil is “THE WAY TO GO”!!!!! ALOHA FROM HAWAII ” -Nelson in HI
“Product is very durable, does not tear even when handled roughly. The first day of install, I only got half way done. Outside temp in south Texas was 89 at 5pm. temp reading on an unfinished higher part of attic was 115. temp reading on finished lower part of attic (ON the foil) was 94. That was only half installed. But I think a very good sign. I posted one question to support, and was promptly replied to early the next day. Thanks.” -David S. in TX
“I bought attic foil to do the ceiling above the kitchen area of our “bunkhouse”, a small 20 x 30 building we live in when we come home each summer as our main house is rented out. It was very easy to install and was much more durable than I had expected. I put a lot of boxes and stuff in this space and there have been no tears. And yes, the kitchen area has remained much cooler even when the attic space was very hot. When we reroof the bedroom/study area part of the bunkhouse I will put attic foil between the metal roof and the roof board and bat. 1/2″ plywood will go over that. When the main house gets reroofed we will use attic foil between the new plywood sheathing and the existing board and batting also. And at our county fair today I think I sold a guy selling another similar product for $2.25/sq ft; a three ply – metal both sides, 1/8″ foam in between, on taking a look at attic foil at 16 cents/sq ft instead of his expensive product. The only better product out there might be green-yellow; a five ply product, but at $3.25/sq ft it is way out of most people’s budget for very very little gain over attic foil. Atticfoil is a tough deal to beat folks; it works, it’s tough stuff, keeps its shape and is easy to put down with a cheap staple gun.” -B. Ball in WA
“Very easy and accommodating! This product is amazing and very easy to handle and install. Myself along with the help of a neighbor completed a 2,350 sq.ft. house entire attic in approximately 12 hours! I highly recommend this product for its performance, ease of installation, and cost!” -Mario in TX
“I live in northwest NJ and my attic temps were over 120 during the hot summer days. I have an indoor/outdoor temp in my attic so I can see the temps easy. I finally got the time in mid-June to get the Attic Foil installed. I had my son help and it was pretty easy to install. I’m very happy to report that my attic temps are now on average 10 degrees warmer than the outside air temps. My shingles are black, so I am very happy with this product. The foil is very tough, I tried to tear a piece and was unsuccessful.” -Mike W. in NJ
“I purchased this product because my room upstairs (cottage style home) is always 6-8 degrees warmer than my main floor in the summer. I will have to wait till next summer to see how well it does. I can attest that this product is easy to handle. I installed it myself. Yes, it would be easier with 2 people. But I cut the length I needed and rolled it up and crawled behind the knee-high wall into the attic space. Then stapled up one edge to the rafter and then unrolled the rest while crawling. Pulled it tight and stapled up the far end and then worked my way back, stapling as I went. Not hard at all. Durable product.” -Rob in IN
“quick delivery. videos posted are correct: easy to install (26″). We’ve noticed a reduced energy bill (live in South Florida): approximately 10-15% total energy bill reduction in summer!” -R. Mark in FL
“This was amazing. The product, the information offered on the site, the convenience. We loved this product so much we ordered two 1000 sq ft rolls at separate times then a smaller roll at a later time. We sent almost a complete roll across the country to our son who also thought it was an amazing product.
It has more than paid for itself and we’ve only been through one winter. The attic is still humid of course, being July in the Midwest, however we installed a powerful exhaust fan which is super nice and was a smart investment of about 100.00 and a little time. My husband and I were thrilled at discovering your website. We checked out a product @ Home Depot & decided to dig a bit and found your site. We just wish we would have found it a couple years ago when our house was being sided. We would have wrapped the entire house!!” -Dave and Marie Williams in IL
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FAQs
Does radiant barrier foil really work? ›
Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.
Is a radiant barrier worth the money? ›You Save Money on Cooling Costs
To be fair, radiant barriers alone only reduce between five to ten percent of your monthly cooling costs. However, when combined with insulation, barriers can cut your cooling bill in half. Naturally, the results will vary depending on the size of your home and if it is well-insulated.
- Not as effective in colder climates.
- No insulation value (R-Value)
- Accumulates dust (which lowers heat reflectivity)
Potential for moisture condensation
During cold weather, a radiant barrier on top of the insulation could cause water vapor to condense on the barrier's underside. Condensation of large amounts of water could lead to the following problems: the existing insulation could become wet and lose some of its insulating value.
Disadvantages of Reflective Insulation • It is generally more expensive due to being a metal-based product. Whilst effective in warmer climates, it will be required to be combined with other forms of insulation in colder climates. This is in order to prevent heat loss in cold weather from convection.
Does radiant barrier affect WIFI? ›Does Radiant Barrier Affect WIFI? If you are wondering whether or not a new radiant barrier installation will impact your wifi, you are in luck. Generally speaking, if you install a radiant barrier in your attic or on your roof it will not impact your cell phone's signal.
How long does radiant barrier last? ›How long a radiant barrier lasts is the question most often asked by customers. As long as homeowners or certified attic specialists install them appropriately, radiant barriers last anywhere from 80 to 100 years. They are built to last and won't cause you any major issues for decades.
Does attic radiant barrier help in winter? ›Radiant Barrier Insulation Benefits
Works to keep warm air in during the winter and solar radiant heat out during the summer. Prevents up to 97% of solar radiation. Improves energy efficiency and lowers utility costs, especially if HVAC and duct systems are located in the attic.
High initial cost: Radiant heating systems can be more expensive to install than traditional heating methods. However, this cost can be offset by energy savings over time.
What temperature should a radiant barrier attic be? ›Ideally, after you install a radiant barrier the air temperature inside the attic should probably be within 10 to 15 degrees of ambient temperature.
Does my attic need radiant barrier? ›
Attics that are not protected against the heat are going to put extra strain on air conditioning in the summer. As the attic space heats up, the ductwork heats up alongside it, and the machines pushing out the cold air into your home have to work twice as hard to produce the same level of climate control in your home.
Which is better insulation or radiant barrier? ›Is Radiant Barrier better than insulation? Radiant barrier has a higher R-value in terms of insulation when compared to fiberglass options. Because of that, it can be the better options for property owners in typically warmer climates, however, it's not the best option for every single homeowner.
Can radiant barrier cause a fire? ›Because the radiant barrier is typically the first material ignited and easily consumed by fire, many fire origin and cause experts unfamiliar with lightning induced radiant barrier fires fail to recognize it as a potential ignition source for the fire.
Do you need insulation with radiant barrier? ›Radiant barriers reflect radiant heat.
Then, the heat transfer method switches from radiant heat to conductive heat to move through the attic insulation and into your home. This is why you need both types of insulation. Traditional attic insulation and radiant barrier work together and each do their part.
- However, studies show that aluminum foil, cooking utensils and containers can leach aluminum into your food ( 6 , 9).
- This means that cooking with aluminum foil may increase the aluminum content of your diet.
Aluminium is significantly more likely to leach into food, and at higher levels, in acidic and liquid food solutions like lemon and tomato juice than in those containing alcohol or salt. Leaching levels climb even more when spice is added to food that's cooked in aluminium foil.
What is the best way to insulate an attic? ›Insulating your attic with fiberglass batts or rolls is economical and, on the whole, easier than blowing in loose-fill cellulose. This remains the favored method of insulating attics for most do-it-yourselfers. With this method, strips (batts) or rolls of fiberglass are laid between joists in the attic.
Does radiant barrier ruin shingles? ›One common question or concern about installing a radiant barrier is whether it will cause the shingles to heat up and get damaged or shorten their life expectancy. The short answer is NO damage will occur.
Can radiant barrier go under shingles? ›The simple answer is yes. Radiant barrier sheathing is installed exactly like conventional roof sheathing, requiring no additional labor or installation time. The beauty of radiant barrier roof sheathing is that you can install the underlayment and shingles right over it, just like you would for typical roof sheathing.
Will an antenna work in an attic with radiant barrier? ›Potential Obstacles To An Attic Antenna
Materials that can hinder your chances at peak performance from your attic antenna, however, include metal siding, foil-faced insulation, radiant barriers, brick or other masonry and tile roofing.
How do I choose a radiant barrier? ›
Reflectivity (emissivity)
Per the Department of Energy (DOE), for a product to be officially classified as a "radiant barrier" it MUST have a reflectivity rating of 90% or higher and conversely, an emissivity rating of 10% or lower.
Radiant Barriers in the Attic Can Prevent Heat and Humidity.
What is the R-value of radiant barrier? ›Radiant barrier on its own has NO R-value; R-value is attributed to materials slowing conductive heat. AtticFoil™ works to block radiant heat (97%) coming in to the attic by stapling it to the rafters, but it has no R-value.
Should I face up or down in attic? ›If you install batting between your attic floor joists, the material should be faced. Since the attic floor is the ceiling of the living space below, the facing installs against the top of the ceiling drywall or plaster.
What are the different types of attic radiant barriers? ›- Foil. Radiant barrier foil is applied between the rafters of your attic. ...
- Chips. Chips made of a radiant barrier are small pieces of film infused with silver and are about the size of a snowflake. ...
- Sheathing. ...
- Metal Roofing.
Radiant barriers can be installed alongside insulation in the attic space, providing a heat shield that can lower cooling costs in the summer months.
How warm should my attic be in winter? ›The ideal attic temperature should be no less than 60 degrees in the winter and no more than 10 to 20 degrees above the outdoor temperature in the summer. If your attic temperature climbs above 130 degrees, you may start running into issues with your energy bill, as well as the integrity of your roof.
Will insulating attic keep house cooler? ›The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months. While it's a given that the insulation in your attic will keep the home warmer during the winter, it isn't immediately obvious that insulation can also help to keep the home comfortable during the summer.
Does radiant heat use a lot of electricity? ›If you've ever wondered, “Do heated floors use a lot of electricity?”, the answer is: less than you would think. In reality, a radiant heating system for a small bathroom uses about the same amount of energy as a freezer.
What is the problem with radiant heating? ›The main cause of problems with in-floor radiant heating systems is a defect in the wall thermostat. When your thermostat is defective, it will keep the heating from working properly. Thermostats that fail to close properly cause the room to be cold at all times.
How long is the life expectancy of radiant heat? ›
Radiant floor heating systems do not require any maintenance. Once they are installed, they will last for 20+ years without any issues.
How hot is the attic if its 90 degrees outside? ›Note excessive heat – if it's 90 degrees outside, the attic temperature shouldn't be more than 110 degrees. More often than not, attic temperatures will be in excess of 125 degrees on a 90 degree day. This will overwork your air conditioning equipment, run up your utility bill and shorten the life of your roof.
How hot is an attic when it's 100 degrees outside? ›Thanks to the radiant heat affect, attic temperatures on a 100-degree day can reach 170 degrees or more.
How hot does an attic get in 95 degree weather? ›Attics can reach temperatures of 150 to 160 degrees F during a summer day, although outside air temperatures are only 95 to 97 degrees F.
What is the best thermal barrier for an attic? ›Our Best Overall choice is US Greenfiber R60 Blown-In Insulation Sound Barrier. For blow-in fiberglass insulation, we recommend Owens-Corning AttiCat Pink Expanding Fiberglass Blown-In Insulation, which may require less-complex installation than blown-in cellulose.
How much does it cost to install radiant barrier in attic? ›Radiant barrier costs between $750 to $2,800 or $1,700 on average to install. Prices vary depending on the size of your attic and roof pitch, with larger spaces costing more than smaller ones.
Should attic be fully insulated? ›Here is how proper attic insulation can benefit your roof: Helps prevent ice dams: Heat from your home escapes through your ceiling into your attic if you don't have insulation. Therefore, during winter, your shingles are at a higher temperature. Warmer shingles may melt the snow sitting on top of them.
What is the best insulation to reduce heat loss? ›Foam Board or Rigid Foam
They provide good thermal resistance (up to 2 times greater than most other insulating materials of the same thickness), and reduce heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass is the most common type of insulation used for residences because it is by far the best, particularly for hot climates. Here's why: Fire-retardant – Fiberglass insulation is fire-retardant, making it an ideal choice for homes in dry climates and areas prone to fire.
Fiberglass offers superb flexibility and dimensional stability for temperatures up to 1200º F. User-friendly with little odor or smoke, fiberglass will not corrode the metals it protects. One of the most common insulation materials, fiberglass is used in a wide array of everyday applications.
What are the cons of radiant barrier insulation? ›
The most obvious disadvantage is these roofs are meant for hotter temperatures. They aren't very useful in the winter, though they may provide some additional insulation against the cold. As a result, the expense of a radiant barrier roof for generally cooler climates likely won't be a good investment.
Does foil insulation really work? ›Foil insulation can prevent radiant heat loss all year round. In summer, it can prevent heat from entering by reflecting sunlight. In winter, it can reflect heat back inside a room, keeping it warmer.
Is aluminum foil a radiant barrier? ›There are several types of radiant barriers available, including: Reflective metal roofing. Radiant roof sheathing. Metal (aluminum) foil.
How effective is reflective foil insulation? ›The reflective foil reflects heat – turning it away from your home. Whilst normal insulation traps the heat and allows it to slowly pass through – the reflective foil adds another layer of defence by redirecting it outwardly. When installed correctly, reflective foil insulation can reflect up to 97% of radiant heat.
Is foil faced insulation worth it? ›Foil faced insulation is the best type of insulation for retaining heat in the winter and keeping heat out in the summer. This insulation product is designed to slow heat transfer and enhance acoustical performance. It also works as a barrier for methane, radon, vapor, termites and other vermin.
Is reflective foil insulation worth it? ›Provided that it's installed properly, foil insulation is extremely effective. Some foil type insulations are capable of reflecting up to 97% of radiant heat, which can make a huge difference to the temperature inside a home.
How effective is foil insulation? ›This unique material can reflect up to 97% of radiant heat. The transfer of heat through materials happens either by conduction, convection or radiation. The low-emissivity outer layers of the foil insulation rolls reflect up to 95% radiant heat back into the building.
Does radiant barrier help in winter? ›Radiant Barrier Insulation Benefits
Works to keep warm air in during the winter and solar radiant heat out during the summer. Prevents up to 97% of solar radiation. Improves energy efficiency and lowers utility costs, especially if HVAC and duct systems are located in the attic.
Is Radiant Barrier better than insulation? Radiant barrier has a higher R-value in terms of insulation when compared to fiberglass options. Because of that, it can be the better options for property owners in typically warmer climates, however, it's not the best option for every single homeowner.
Does foil-faced insulation block WIFI? ›The foil does a little bit to help reflect heat, but it does a lot to effectively kill the transmittance of cellular or wifi signals throughout your home. It can even block signals between adjacent rooms.
What is the R-value of foil insulation? ›
Most brands of foil-faced bubble wrap are only 3/8 inch thick or less, and have an R-value of only 1.0 or 1.1.
Is reflective insulation good for attic? ›Reflective insulation, installed in the attic ceiling, reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. This helps keep your home cooler and more comfortable.
Should reflective insulation face in or out? ›The reflective side of the board should be oriented to the exterior and the nonreflective white side should be oriented to the interior. EXCEPTION: If vinyl siding is to be installed over AP™ Foil-Faced sheathing, install foam boards with the white nonreflective side toward the vinyl siding.
Can you put foil insulation on top of the roof? ›Roof Sarking and Foil Wrap
Roof sarking is installed in homes to reduce summer heat gains and reduce cooling costs. Aluminium foil insulation is a highly reflective material that rebounds radiant heat rather than absorbing it.
Fibreglass (or glass wool) is among the most popular insulation materials popular, and among the most widely used products all around the world. Its composure and easy installation, but also its diversity (since it can be installed in almost any space) is the probably the reason.
Is Aerogel the best insulation? ›Air in microscopic pores make up the remaining 97% of aerogel's volume. This air has very little room to move, inhibiting both convection and gas-phase conduction. These characteristics make aerogel the world's lowest density solid and most effective thermal insulator.
Is foil backed insulation waterproof? ›Foil Covered Pipe Insulation is water repellant but should be used with an additional waterproof covering.