Does radiant barrier plywood work?

Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it’s usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.

Is radiant barrier roof sheathing worth it?

Is Radiant Barrier OSB Worth It? If you use OSB radiant barrier sheathing, you can reflect up to ninety-seven percent of solar radiation. This amount of solar heat reduction can reduce your attic’s heat by up to thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Radiant barrier roof sheathing can also improve comfort in other areas.

What is radiant barrier plywood used for?

Radiant barrier sheathing panels are engineered wood panels with a thin layer of highly-reflective aluminum facing that reduces radiant heat gain into the attic. The result is a cooler attic, which can equate to lower utility bills, improved energy efficiency and a more comfortable indoor environment.

What is radiant plywood?

Radiant barrier roof decking is a either plywood or an OSB (oriented strand board) with a sheet of radiant barrier made of aluminum or metalized poly laminated to one side. These decking boards are installed with the foil side facing down into the attic space.

How effective is reflective insulation?

Reflective insulation can block 95% of radiant heat and provides superior thermal performance. Reflective insulation reflects escaping heat back in the direction of your home’s interior. By harnessing the loss it lowers your heating bills.

Can aluminum foil be used as a radiant barrier?

Aluminum foil has the radiant barrier properties of high reflectivity and low emissivity. That means the foil reflects much of the roof’s heat back upward. The low emissivity property of the foil reduces the amount of heat that the foil radiates on through to the attic insulation below.

Is reflective insulation effective?

Is OSB better than plywood?

Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

Is radiant barrier expensive?

The cost to install radiant barrier insulation runs from $740 to $2,840 or $1,700 on average. Materials for this project run as low as $0.10 per square foot, up to $0.95. Professional installers typically charge $30 to $80 per hour for this job.

How do reflective roof coatings work?

Highly reflective surfaces prevent sunlight from being absorbed by roofing materials, turning into heat. The cooler the roof skin temperature is, the less heat enters the building, and the cooler it feels inside. While there are many reflective roof coatings available, most require a thick film build for effectiveness.

Why choose Lolo/MIT reflective roof coating?

LO/MIT is widely used as a reflective radiant barrier roof coating by some of America’s largest roofing companies because of the following unique qualities: Easily Applied Using Airless Spray or Rollers One Thin Coat Covers 400 Square Feet Per Gallon Sprayed Greatly Extends Roof Life and Warranty Performance

How does reflectivity affect the temperature of a roof?

For exterior applications, high reflectivity is the major factor in reducing roofing skin temperatures. Highly reflective surfaces prevent sunlight from being absorbed by roofing materials, turning into heat. The cooler the roof skin temperature is, the less heat enters the building, and the cooler it feels inside.

What is radiant foil roof sheathing?

The radiant foil layer is perforated for ventilation to protect against condensation and moisture build-up. Radiant energy transferred through standard roof sheathing creates heat build-up in the attic. With no barrier to restrict the heat, it radiates through the insulation into living spaces, causing room temperatures to rise.