Radiant barriers are utilized to reduce summer heat gain in attics and help to improve the efficiency of green building envelopes. A radiant barrier can lower heat transfer from attics to the building below, keep the attic space cooler and lower cooling costs by up to 17% in warmer climates. We take a look at how radiant barriers work, the different types of radiant barriers and some of the misconceptions surrounding them.
Radiant barriers have become somewhat shrouded in urban myth. They were not, for example, invented by NASA, but rather by the far less exciting German businessmen Schmidt and Dykerhoff in 1925.
Ventilating your attic is key to reducing moisture and avoiding mold. Attic ventilation is a critical factor to ensure that moisture and hot summer air issues are addressed correctly. This will help to preserve the structural integrity of your roof system, reduce energy costs in the warm summer months, improve the effectiveness of your insulation in the winter months and prevent the formation of ice dams.
Curious about if there is there any way Solarbord can be retrofitted between the rafters of an existing roof? Hmmm? Best consult the Ol’ Sage Builder!
Which is better spray foam or radiant barrier in the attic space? Find out in todays advice from the Ol’ Sage Builder.
If it’s time to replace your roof, cedar roof shingles are an attractive, but more expensive option than asphalt shingles. In fact, cedar roof shakes can be six or seven times the price of asphalt roofing. If you are considering a shift from cedar shingles to asphalt, there are a number of factors to consider.
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. Radiant barrier sheathing is inexpensive and reflects thermal radiation to keep attic spaces cool. Spray foam offers insulation and provides some sound proofing from outside noise.
