Home is not just a place. It is a feeling where you feel safe, happy, and comfortable. This feeling should go both ways. And feeling must be reciprocated. Homeowners take several steps to protect their homes from harsh and inclement weather conditions. When they consider protecting their homes, they prioritize the insulation against the chilly winters. But, in reality, sweltering summers and sultry heatwaves have done more damage besides shivering winters. Excessive heat not only damages their homes but also causes a drain on the budget of homeowners. Upsurge in heatwaves causes a massive uptick in energy bills due to air conditioning. But do you know you can keep your home cool even in hot summers without AC? Good news for homeowners!

Moreover, in recent years, homebuyers have shifted their focus toward energy-efficient options. They know that the cooler the attic space, the less time air conditioning units must run to keep a home cool and cozy. What could be a better option than installing the radiant barriers or reflective insulation materials? Here lies the catch! Most people do not know the key differences between radiant barriers and reflective insulation. They also don’t know the suitability of insulation materials according to their property. Well, worry not! This blog will explain the major difference between radiant barriers and reflective insulation and eradicate your confusion. Just hold your horses!

Upgrade your Living Space: Use Radiant Barrier or Reflective Insulation 

The primary objective of homeowners is to make their homes as comfortable as possible throughout the four seasons. Eventually, these materials improve your family’s well-being and elevate your living space. For this purpose, people usually install radiant barriers and insulators to cool off their homes in sweltering summers. However, they are not well aware of the working mechanism and resistance value of these materials. This blog will save you effort and energy. Are you ready to grasp the key difference between radiant barriers and reflective insulators? Let’s discuss it!

Radiant Barriers vs Reflective Insulation 

  • Working Mechanism 

A radiant barrier consists of the foil layers that reflect the heat to the sun rather than absorbing it. It is mostly used in buildings to slow the transfer of heat between surfaces. On the hot sunny days, the heat from the sun hits the roof and ceiling. Some of the heat is absorbed and transferred to the attic. And some heat is radiated down to the floor. A radiant barrier placed underneath the roof thwarts the transfer of heat into the room by reflecting it to the attic. 

On the other hand, reflective insulation is composed of aluminum foil with various spacers between them. The layers reflect the heat and reduce conductive heat flow. Mainly, it works by slowing conductive and convective heat transfer. 

  • Purpose

Radiant barriers are mostly used to block radiant heat transfer but reflective insulators block the convective heat transfers. 

  • Installation Methods

Radiant barriers are installed facing open-air space. But Reflective insulations are wrapped around the ducts and walls. 

  • Materials Used 

Different materials are used in the radiant barriers including Aluminum foil, Aluminum-coated plastic films, paper, foil-faced plywood, and foil-faced insulation. The most effective material is Aluminum with 97pc of effectiveness.

In the case of reflective insulation, aluminum foil, spacers(plastics, fiberglass), adhesives(polyethylene & fiber reinforced plastics)

As compared to radiant barriers, reflective insulation has a high resistance value. 

  • Locations

Radiant barriers are placed on several locations

Attics

Wrapped around ducts and pipes 

Inside wall cavities 

Interior window reflectors 

Behind wall radiator

For Reflective insulations 

Foundation and basement walls

Below floors  

Exterior Building walls

Inside HVAC 

Radiant Barriers work best in the open area while reflective insulation works in every place. 

  • Resistance value( R-value) 

R-value shows the resistance the materials exhibit against the heat. In the case of radiant barriers, they have low R-value typically around R-2 or less. They are not highly effective in providing thermal resistance like traditional insulation materials. They make highly reflective surfaces around 97pc which reduces the heat flow. 

On the other hand, the resistance value of the reflective insulation depends on the number of foil layers. 

2-layer foil R5

3-layer foil R10 

5-layer foil R15

10-layer foil R30

The more layers, the higher the reflective insulation’s R-value. Hence, reflective insulators are better than radiant barriers. 

Unlocking the Secret: What is better and more effective; Radiant barrier vs Reflective insulation

After considering the working mechanism and resistance value of both insulation materials, several questions come to mind. The most pertinent among them: is which one could be more advantageous than the other. To understand it, let’s shed light on the pros and cons of radiant barrier and reflective insulation. 

  • Pros & Cons of Radiant Barriers
  • Pros 
  • Keep your attic cooler and reduce the energy consumption by 5-10pc 
  • Reflect up to 97pc of radiant heat 
  • Work best in hot climates with high cooling service.
  • Cons 
  • It cannot provide customized R-value 
  • Radiant barriers work well in the air space and don’t work between solid layers
  • They have minimum effect in heat-dominated climates
  • Barriers can cause high moisture which in turn damages the room as fungus can grow in a moist environment 
  • Pros & Cons Reflective Insulation
  • Pros 
  • It provides a high resistance value 
  • It not only reflects radiant heat but also convective and heat flow 
  • Besides air spaces, it is also used in confined and closed spaces like cavities 
  • Cons 
  • More expensive than radiant barriers
  • It requires multiple layers with air spaces to be effective 
  • Not good for an open attic 
  • The installation process is more complicated than radiant barriers 
  • R-value plunges if insulation comes in contact with surfaces 

What Does your Home need? Radiant Barriers or Reflective Insulation 

Undoubtedly, both have their pros and cons. The factor of effectiveness and suitability depends on what your home needs at a particular time and place. Most professionals would advise you to combine both of them for better energy efficiency with minimum energy cost.  This combination will save your energy budget and maximize the comfort of your family. Radiant barriers are your home’s first defense. They reduce the sun’s heat penetration by deflecting the radiant heat. But, they are not good at transferring heat. Insulation protects the home from pollens, mold spores, and allergens. Unlike radiant barriers, reflective insulation helps in slowing down the heat transfer. 

Your choices are also shaped by the location of your property. In colder states, radiant barriers are not usually required. On the contrary, reflective insulation is present in all homes irrespective of place to keep bills low. 

Final Thoughts

When we think about protecting our homes from hot sunny summers and shivering winters, insulation usually comes to mind. Markets are flooded with both reflective insulation and radiant barriers. The blog will address the key difference between radiant barrier and reflective insulation. Both materials have pros and cons. But their suitability also depends on the customers’ budget, the location of their property, and energy requirements. Let’s make the world energy sustainable either with radiant barrier or reflective insulation!