FAQ's about Houston Radiant Barrier

1. What is a radiant barrier?

Radiant barriers are materials that are installed in homes and other buildings to keep summer heat out of the house and to protect against heat loss during the winter months.

2. How does a radiant barrier work?

Radiant barrier reduces the amount of heat "radiated" across an air space such as your attic that is adjacent to the radiant barrier material. This means that it radiates heat away from the interior of your house.

3. Are there different types of radiant barrier?

Yes and the most commonly used radiant barrier materials used in Houston include reflective foils, reflective metal roof shingles, reflective laminated roof sheathing, and reflective chips.

4. What areas of my home would radiant barriers be installed in?

Typically, radiant barrier materials are installed in roof deckings, attic floors, exterior walls, and around water heaters and pipes.

5. When should a radiant barrier be installed?

Ideally, radiant barrier would be installed during the initial construction of a home or commercial building but it can also be added at a later time during a remodeling or renovation project.

6. I already have attic insulation. Do I need radiant barrier too?

While radiant barrier performs a similar function to that of attic insulation, it differs in how it reduces the flow of hot air in attics and other spaces by reducing the amount of heat "radiated" across an air space that is adjacent to the radiant barrier. Conventional insulation only traps still air within the insulation thereby keeping heat from moving into the space beneath the attic space of your home.