Reflective Insulation

Insulation is a barrier material to resist/reduce substance (water, vapor, etc. ) /energy (sound, heat, electric, etc.) to transfer from one side to another.

Heat/ Thermal Insulation is a barrier material to resist / block / reflect the heat energy (either one or more of the Conduction, Convection or Radiation) to transfer from one side to another.

Reflective Insulation is one of the Heat/Thermal Insulation to reflect Radiation Heat (Radiant Heat) transfer from one side to another due to the reflective surface (or low emittance).

There are a lot of definitions about “Thermal/Heat Insulation” and the common misinterpretation of “Thermal/Heat Insulation” = “Bulk/Mass/Batt Insulation” which is actually uses to resist Conduction Heat Transfer with certain “R-Value”.

As such Materials reflecting Radiant Heat with negligible “R-Value” should also be classified as “Thermal/ Heat Insulation”.

Thus Reflective Insulation = Radiant Barrier

Advantages

  • Very effective in warmer climates
  • No change in thermal performance over time due to compaction, disintegration or moisture absorption
  • Thin sheets takes up less room than bulk insulation
  • Can act as a vapor barriers
  • Non-toxic/non-carcinogenic
  • Will not mold or mildew
  • Radon retarder, will limit radon penetration through the floor

 

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