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 Mobile ViewINSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES AIR BYPASS LEAKS AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD ATTIC VENTILATION BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT HEAT LOSS BASEMENT LEAKS, INSPECT FOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE BATHROOM VENTILATION BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING BLOWN-IN INSULATION BOOKSTORE - INTERIORS BRICK LINED WALLS BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE CABINETS & COUNTERTOPS Carbon Nanotube Materials CACTUS FUNGI / MOLD CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION CARPET DUST IDENTIFICATION CARPET MOLD CONTAMINATION CARPET TEST PROCEDURE CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY CARPETING, SELECTION & INSTALLATION CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES CEILINGS, PLASTER, LOOSE HAZARDS CEILING TILES - Asbestos-Containing CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CRAWL SPACES CRAWL SPACE DRYOUT PROCEDURES CRAWL SPACE GROUND COVERS CRAWL SPACE INSULATION RETROFIT CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE CRAWL SPACE VAPOR BARRIER CRAWLSPACE MOLD ADVICE MOLD CLEANUP by MEDIA BLASTING MOLD ON DIRT FLOORS DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS AFUE DEFINITION, RATINGS AIR BYPASS LEAKS AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS AIR CONDITIONING HEAT PUMP SAVINGS AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS DRYER VENTING ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS ENERGY STAR PROGRAM ENERGY USE MONITORING GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT RADIANT BARRIERS REFLECTIVE INSULATION ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS Skylight Energy Efficiency SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS THERMAL MASS in buildings TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS VENTILATION, BALANCED HEAT COST SAVINGS WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings WOOD, COAL STOVES & FIREPLACES ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY Fiberboard Insulation Sheathing Mold FIBERGLASS HAZARDS FIBERGLASS INSULATION FIBERGLASS PARTICLE CONTAMINATION TEST Fiberglass Enviro-Scare FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD Fireproofing containing Asbestos FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB HEAT LOSS RATE CALCULATIONS HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS How to measure heat movement through a wall How to measure building insulation How leaky is the building BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT De-Watering Systems BASEMENT HEAT LOSS ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS HEAT LOSS INDICATORS HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS INSULATION CHOICES Insulation Air & Heat Leaks INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS Asbestos Pipe Insulation Balsam Wool Batt Insulation BLOWN-IN INSULATION BRICK LINED WALLS BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION Cellulose loose fill insulation Ceramic Insulation Concrete insulation, light-weight Cotton Insulating Batts FIBERGLASS DUCT, RIGID CONSTRUCTION Fiberglass Insulation Foam Board Insulation Foam Insulation Types - Visual Id Homasote & Other Insulating Board Icynene Foam Spray Insulation Insects & Foam Insulation Mineral Wool - Rock Wool Insulation Paper Duct Insulation Perlite Insulation PHENOLIC FOAM INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM BELOW SLABS POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION RADIANT BARRIERS REFLECTIVE INSULATION RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION SUPER HI-R INSULATION SUPERINSULATION RETROFIT Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation UFFI URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing VERMICULITE INSULATION INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION AIR SEAL STRATEGIES ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT De-Watering Systems BASEMENT HEAT LOSS Blocked Soffit Intake Vents BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION BLOWN-IN INSULATION BRICK or BLOCK WALL CAVITY INSULATION BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION? CASEWORK, CABINETS, SHELVING INSTALLATION CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS ENERGY STAR PROGRAM ENERGY USE MONITORING FIBERGLASS DUCT, RIGID CONSTRUCTION Fiberglass Insulation FIRE PROTECTION FOR FOAM BOARD INSULATION FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be Inspect Attics for Moisture or Mold Inspect Attics for Blocked Soffit Intake Vents Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold Inspect Building Exterior - Roof Venting Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic Insects & Foam Insulation Insulation Air & Heat Leaks INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM INSULATION CHOICES INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE INSULATION PLACEMENT in BUILDINGS INSULATION R-Values & Properties LOG HOME WALL INSULATION VALUES MOISTURE in BUILDING WALLS, EFFECTS MOISTURE in CELLULOSE INSULATION Mold in Fiberglass Insulation Mold on Books, Book Conservation Mold on Fiberboard Insulating Sheathing MOLD in Foam Insulation MOLD in INSULATION Mold Resistance of Foam Insulation MOLD PREVENTION AFTER FLOODING MOLD RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION PASCAL CALCULATIONS PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD PHENOLIC FOAM INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM INSULATION POLYISOCYANURATE FOAM BELOW SLABS POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION RADIANT BARRIERS REFLECTIVE INSULATION RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS ROOF VENTING NEEDED? ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS SLAB INSULATION LOCATION SLAB INSULATION LOCATION & EXTENT SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR SLATE THERMAL MASS for SOLAR HEAT STORAGE SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION SUPER HI-R INSULATION SUPERINSULATION RETROFIT Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation UFFI URETHANE FOAM Deterioration, Outgassing VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING VERMICULITE INSULATION INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT BLOWN-IN INSULATION INSULATION CHOICES INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE INSULATION LOCATION & QUANTITY for ATTICS INSULATION LOCATION for BASEMENT FLOORS INSULATION LOCATION for BASEMENT WALLS INSULATION LOCATION for BRICK or BLOCK WALL CAVITY INSULATION LOCATION for BRICK VENEER WALLS INSULATION LOCATION for CAPES, CRAWLSPACES INSULATION LOCATION for CATHEDRAL CEILINGS INSULATION LOCATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM INSULATION LOCATION for PASSIVE SOLAR FLOOR SLAB INSULATION LOCATION & EXTENT for SLABS INSULATION LOCATION for SOUND CONTROL INSULATION LOCATION for SUSPENDED PANELS INSULATION LOCATION for SWIMMING, INDOOR INSULATION MOLD INSULATION R-Values & Properties KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE KITCHEN VENTILATION LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LEED Building Designation & IAQ LOG HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOG HOME GUIDE MOLD in FOAM INSULATION, RESISTANCE MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS MYCOPHOBIA, STAINS MISTAKEN for MOLD MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS of MOLD EXPOSURE Nanomaterials Hazards NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE NOISE, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR NOISE, DUCT VIBRATION DAMPENERS NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS NOISE CONTROL for FLOORS NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING NOISE CONTROL for ROOFS NOISES COMING FROM WATER HEATER ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION Paper Duct Insulation Containing Asbestos PASCAL CALCULATIONS PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS RADIANT BARRIERS RADIANT HEAT RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES REFLECTIVE INSULATION RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES ROT, TIMBER FRAME SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS SEARS KIT HOUSES SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on BUILDINGS - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE STAINS & FINISHES, INTERIOR STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SUMP PUMPS GUIDE SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in buildings THERMAL MASS FLOOR SLABS THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS THERMAL MASS WALL DESIGN THERMAL MASS in HOMES - STUDY THERMAL MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS Ceiling Thermal Tracking Marks Wall Thermal Tracking Stains Floor Carpet Thermal Tracking Stains Air Bypass Leaks Marks on Insulation Thermal Tracking to Diagnose IAQ Stains HVAC Supply Registers Pet Stains on Floors Pet Stains on Walls Human Occupant Stains on Walls Stains from Candles, Woodstoves, Fireplaces Other Stains on Indoor Walls & Ceilings What to Do About Thermal Tracking THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING TRIM, INTERIOR INSTALLATION TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF TRUSSES, Floor & Roof VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CRAWL SPACE VAPOR BARRIER DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE FELT 15# ROOFING, as HOUSEWRAP/VAPOR BARRIER HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HOUSEWRAP PRODUCT CHOICES HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS RAIN SPLASH-UP SIDING DAMAGE VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR WOOD SIDING FLASHING DETAILS VENTILATION in BUILDINGS VENTILATION DESIGN PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS VENTILATION, WHOLE HOUSE STRATEGIES WALL FINISHES INTERIOR WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS WIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVES WINDOWS & DOORS WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves More Information |
This article describes the properties & uses of reflective insulation in buildings and other applications. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.Also see our article on RADIANT BARRIERS, an update of an earlier Solar Age article on foil-based insulation products. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Foil-based Reflective Insulation material identification, insulation R-values, insulation characteristics, applications, & technical dataWhat's the difference between RADIANT BARRIERS [a separate article] and REFLECTIVE INSULATION [discussed here] ? Watch out: In understanding insulation, radiant barriers, and reflective insulation products it's worth noting that you may find products labeled as "insulation" that are a simple single thickness aluminum foil radiant barrier, and you may find insulating blankets covered with aluminum or even kraft paper and aluminum labeled as a radiant barrier product. It's confusing. A radiant barrier works principally by serving as a single layer of aluminum foil, possibly reinforced with fibers or paper backing, used to reflect heat outwards (keep the attic cooler) or inwards towards the building interior (avoid losing heat, keep the building warmer). Reflective insulation is a similar insulating and energy conserving product that adds an air cushion, usually in the form of plastic bubble material, between layers of aluminum foil to improve the insulating value or R-value of what would otherwise be a simple radiant barrier. Thickness & composition distinguish among radiant barriers (thin) and reflective insulation (thicker) and foil faced insulation (much thicker)
While the air layer trapped between these layers improves the R-value of the product, in our OPINION, products less than 1/4" in thickness remain, in our book, a radiant barrier. Products that are made up of at least two layers of aluminum foil, separated by bubble or other material that is 1/4" thick or slightly thicker are reflective insulation. The double-layer kraft and aluminum "ALFOIL house insulation blanket" shown at left works principally as a radiant barrier. As we discuss at RADIANT BARRIERS, " Dead air trapped between the double layers of foil above the kraft paper provided a slight increase in the R-value of this product." Still thicker insulating products, such as foil faced fiberglass insulating batts that are 1" or more in thickness, we refer to as foil faced insulation, not simple reflective insulation that will be described further here. Construction of Reflective Foil InsulationReflective insulation is usually made using two layers of aluminum foil that has been laminated or "glued" to the surface of two layers of plastic "bubble wrap" or air bubble material. The rounded surface of the air bubbles keeps the two layers of foil separated and the individual bubbles, by trapping or enclosing air, ensure that there is a still-air insulating barrier between the two surfaces of foil, thus improving the R-value of the reflective insulating material. The bubble-trapped air means that no air movement by convection should occur within the reflective insulation. Such air currents would reduce or even eliminate the R-value of insulation just as air currents in walls, floors, or ceilings will increase heat transfer through those structures. When used under a roof or in an attic floor (not our first choice) the aluminum foil on both surfaces of the reflective insulation means that the same insulation layer will reflect heat outwards (back towards the roof) from the upper surface of the reflective insulation in summer, and it will reflect heat downwards or inwards (back towards the building interior) during the heating season. Common Uses of Reflective Building InsulationUnlike RADIANT BARRIERS that were used in lieu of fiberglass, mineral wool, or foam insulation in building floor, wall, or ceiling cavities, reflective foil based bubble-interior building insulation is not used in modern residential construction as the primary cavity insulation material. Rather the product is used in more industrial settings and in special applications as we list here:
Properties of Reflective Insulation Products
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