No. Products with R-values reduce rates of "conductive" heat transfer and are tested for this characteristic. Radiant Barriers provide benefit by dramatically reducing "radiant" heat transfer which is just as quantifiable but not related to R-value type performance.

The "R" value depends on the number and size of the airspaces surrounding the RB and on the direction of the heat flow. Since RB is usually installed on top of existing mass insulation, its R-value is a moot point. It is RB's ability to reflect heat that makes it such an energy saver.

Radiant Barrier is a material that is a poor re-transmitter of infrared waves (radiant energy). By definition, this re-transmission characteristic (emissivity) must be at or below 10%. The emissivity of Reflectix? products is approximately 3%. Therefore, when a Radiant Barrier is installed in a residential attic, it "blocks" 90% + of the radiant energy that is being radiated by the hot roofing materials.

Savings of up to 15% off your air conditioning usage are typical. This can be a larger number if you have ducts mounted in your attic space.

Ventilation is not required, but it is extremely helpful when addressing convective heat transfer. If an attic system has a mass insulation, (such as fiberglass), a Radiant Barrier and a ridge vent, it has addressed all three types of heat flow; conductive, convective and radiant.

R-value is an assigned number derived from a specific testing procedure to determine a materials (or building assemblage) "resistance to conductive heat transfer". The higher the R-value, the more resistant a material (or building assemblage) is to conductive heat transfer.

Radiant Barrier is unlike mass insulation which only slows down or resists heat transfer. RB reflects heat. Heat always goes cold by natural law-the problem is how to keep the heat in in the winter and how to keep it out in the summer. There are three ways in which heat goes from warm spaces to cold spaces: CONDUCTION is direct heat flow through a solid object such as a wall or a ceiling. CONVECTION is heat movement through air, occurring when air is warmed.

No. Our products do not operate in this manner. Minimal benefit is netted when the product is doubled.

Reflectix is the Industry Leader! We manufacture the highest quality, most extensively-tested, readily-available, foil-based insulation and radiant barriers in the United States. With Reflectix? products, there is no middleman. We are the manufacturer and we operate with a quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2000. Our testing regiment is second to none.

Dust only comes into play when the product is installed in blanket fashion on the floor of the attic. Dust should be removed periodically for the product to maintain its effectiveness. Installations with the product on the roof deck or underside of the rafter require no maintenance.

Reflectix? has a Class A/Class 1 Fire Rating on the Foil/Scrim/Foil Radiant Barrier meeting all fire and smoke safety requirements of federal, state and local building codes. (Satisfies UL 723, NFPA 255 and UBC 42-1.) Company Profile | About Reflective Technology | Applications & Products | Literature | News | Contact Us

R Value - the measurement of 'insulating ability' of the material. The higher the R Factor number the greater the insulation value. U Value - the measurement of 'heat loss' through the material. The lower the U Value the less heat is escaping.