Knowledge Library

Don’t be confused about radiant barriers. If you have high-bills and comfort problems, you don’t need radiant barrier. There are plenty of folks and products that aim to reduce the temperature of the attic. What we do is air-seal and protect your wall insulation from the attic so that in a way, it doesn’t matter how hot or cold your attic is. We only install radiant barrier to protect, align, and encapsulate the insulation, or as an air-or vapor barrier. Here are some photos of a recent Attic Renovation that solved constant comfort issues in a North Raleigh Home. Our radiant barrier is used as an air-barrier. The job could not have been accomplished without adding 40 new 2×4′s (one at the top and bottom of each wall cavity) as seen here:

Gallery: 1913 Bonus Room Blocking and Air-Sealing with PRODEX RADIANT BARRIER

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Our RADIANT BARRIER is insulated, consisting of R-5 closed cell foam with Reflective Metal and plastic on both sides. We use it because it is tough, rigid yet flexible, and can be easily stapled to framing. The purpose is air-sealing! In the above circumstances, this solution above would not have worked without the new 2×4′s @ top and bottom of walls. If you have attic walls in your home can you tell if they have top-plates and bottom plates? This solution would also not have worked if we did not seal the lower tail of the insulated air-barrier to the drywall of the garage/master bedroom below. It would not have worked if we did not foam all the little gaps and tape the seems. For this kind of framing you can used a finish nailed with long finish nails rather than a framing nailer if needed. We would not have been able to stretch the Radiant Barrier over the R-19 wall insulation if the material was thin, paper based and perforated.

This homeowner noticed an immediate and drastic improvement in comfort and reduction in garage noise entering the home.