Spray Foam Roof Insulation Vs Radiant Barrier

Foam insulation most commonly comes in two forms.

Spray foam roof insulation vs radiant barrier. It has increased r values that make your attic space cooler in the hotter months. If you re a builder weighing the choice between radiant barrier sheathing and spray foam insulation for reducing attic heat there are many factors to consider. Foam insulation rigid boards are 4 x8 sheets usually cast of closed cell polystyrene designed to fit directly inside walls against the interior or exterior of plywood sheathing as. Blown in loose fill insulation such as fiberglass and cellulose is ideal for attics.

Radiant barrier vs spray foam a significant issue cropping up in case of home insulation especially if you live in a city which records soaring temperatures during the summer is the idea of reducing the heat your attic is prone to absorbing. 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. Another alternative to radiant barrier foil are the various types of foam insulation. Radiant barrier sheathing is inexpensive and reflects thermal radiation to keep attic spaces cool.

What it does is not allow some of the suns radiation to penetrate to the attic side. What insulation to use in the attic. Spray foam batt fiberglass blown in fiberglass loose fill cellulose and radiant barrier insulation can all be installed. We used the radiant barrier applied roof decking twenty years ago.

For summer cooling the radiant barrier may be better than the spray foam most of the attic s heat gain is through radiation in our sunny climate in denver colorado a well vented attic with a radiant barrier helps our clients keep their cool prolong their shingle life while reducing their conditioned space. What is foam insulation. Spray foam is a great way to keep heat in your home in the winter and often sparks the spray foam roof insulation vs. Spray foam may be a good option in small homes where space is essential or in areas that are difficult to insulate.

A radiant barrier insulation system can reduce your attic temperature by as much as 30 f providing cooler attic spaces and more beneficially more comfortable living spaces within your home without the extra load on your cooling system. If you are more concerned with energy efficiency spray foam. Unlike fiberglass cellulose and other traditional thermal insulation radiant barrier isn t installed on the attic floor instead it s installed in the attic ceiling just below the roof. As a former custom home builder i was and am still a believer in radiant barrier this is not the same as an ignition barrier or thermal barrier.

A number of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing between these two especially the climate zone that you re building in. Benefits of installing spray foam insulation. Positioning a radiant barrier in the.