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TOPIC: General Discussion

Radiant Barrier

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I'm getting ready to install a metal roof on my home and have been considering putting a radiant barrier directly on top of the existing shingle roof, securing it with the perlins then going on with the metal. This should leave approximately a 1" air space on top of the radiant barrier. Is this going to be an effective approach for the radiant barrier. I know it's usually recommended for use in the attic, but I live in a modular home with only about a 3/12 pitch and the maximum amount of clearance is about 3' at the center of the house which would make it difficult to reach under the eaves to place the radiant barrier and I also don't have access to the attic without cutting a panel into the ceiling or roof.
Ricky Cook

1/10/2011
Radiant barriers must have an airspace as you are proposing. If your roof deck is the insulation layer in the home, you may be well served by putting down some rigid insulation as well. Where the home is located will have much to do with what is proper. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

1/11/2011
Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure how much isulation is overhead, but without a doubt my home is already pretty well insulated, I'm just trying to make improvement to it and make it more energy efficient. The home is located in south central KY so we get some pretty cold temperatures in the winter, sometimes as low as 10-20 below 0 and summer highs usually 85-105.
Ricky Cook

1/12/2011
If you insulation is sufficient (i.e. R-38 or better) a radiant barrier should be good enough to help lessen some of the summer heat transfer. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

1/13/2011