Comments on: eShield™, SolarGuard, Reflectix, – Compared to AtticFoil® Radiant Barrier Foil

By: Ed Fritz

Ed Fritz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:14:42 +0000

Yes, if you installing a metal roof with wood battens, then under the roof is the way to go. Look at for more info. I would disagree as to the attic temperature. If it is vented, then the BEST you can hope for is outside air temperature since it is outside air being drawn into the attic. There is no way for the air to get "cooler". For the you need to cut some holes/slits/etc. in the FLAT part of the foil. You will want air to flow either between the foil and the roof deck, or through the attic and out the holes to the top vents.

By: Ed Fritz

Ed Fritz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:09:51 +0000

I would look to applying a reflective coating to the roof instead of trying anything inside. Look up "elastomeric coatings". Or, if you don't mind the look, we have had many customers use AtticFoil on the outside of manufactured homes, work trailers, containers, etc. It not the exact intended use, but you should easily get a several years of benefit. We are not exactly sure how long AtticFoil will last outside, but we have two application going on 4 years with NO degradation with the product.

By: William

William — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:37:42 +0000

Ed,
I have read all of the above and associated links. I have a house built in the 40′s in south carolina with no insulation at all. I have had a company quote me installing the Green Energy Barrier (which may be the same as atticfoil, was perforated, practically untearable and no fiberglass insulation) for $3950 on an 1800 sq.ft single story home with soffit and ridge vents. I found another company I’m going to get a quote from as well to see if that is reasonable. Your attic foil doesn’t seem that expensive per sq ft, so it must be labor intensive to install or the quote is high. I need to replace the roof soon and will likely go metal with wood strips for the air gap. Should I just put foil under the metal? Or in the attic? Or both? The a/c and associated plumbing is in the attic as well. The installers said my attic would be within a few degrees of the house, not the outside as you said. Maybe with the flat top installation this would be the case? There doesn’t seem to be any venting at the ridge vent in that method. I’m a little confused, sorry to be long winded!

By: David Mohr

David Mohr — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:24:51 +0000

We live in a manufactured home. Is there a radiant barrier paint designed to be applied to the ceilings of the home?

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:02:46 +0000

You would want a radiant barrier as your first line of defense for that steel roof, but the main concern is going to be getting an air gap between the metal and the foil. So long as you can achieve that, you can make your own foil covered foam board and then put it to work that way. It’s not really the intended use of a product like AtticFoil, but we have lots of people use it that way.

By: vineyridge

vineyridge — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:50:00 +0000

Another insulation question. I have an old steel horse trailer that used to have plain white foam board for insulation. In a repair project all the insulation was removed. Being steel, the trailer is intolerably hot in Mississippi summers. I would have gone back with 1″ foil coated foam board, but I cannot seem to find it.

I’m not sure I can find a spray foam insulation contractor in this area or what the coat would be. And I’d definitely want a radiant barrier next to the metal, wouldn’t I?

Can you give advice on this?

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:29:39 +0000

Sounds like a great plan! The only potential problem I foresee is having both passive (gable and ridge vents) in conjunction with active (solar fans) ventilation. This is almost always a bad idea. I say choose one or the other; many people opt for a passive ventilation system which is just a combination of working (ie. clean, unobstructed) soffit vents and either a ridge vent or a pair of gable vents; oftentimes nothing more is necessary. Once a radiant barrier is installed, your attic air temperature should be within 10 degrees of outside air temperature. If it’s not, then more ventilation is probably necessary. Take a look at this article about some basic ventilation tips – they might be useful to you: http://www.radiantbarrierguru......asic-tips/
Other than that, everything else lines up!

By: Andy - Maryland

Andy - Maryland — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:14:30 +0000

Hi Ed,

For starters this site is great. I am currently about to start a remodel of my upstairs bedroom (1950′s cape). I am taking it down to the studs so I will have great access to insulate the right way. Being in MD, the sun really leans on the house. The house has gable vents on each side and a newly installed ridge vent. So after looking to attic foil, eshield, spray foam this is my plan. Please tell me if I am on the right track.
1. Attic Foil on the roof, leaving the gable vents and ridge vents open.
2. Add two solar attic fans which i will not cover with foil
3. Blow in extra insulation to the attic floor
4. Insulate the walls and sealing with (whatever recommended R Value) with fiberglass insulation.

You thoughts or anyone else’s are very welcome.

By: What type of insulation material should be used for a Solar panel roof? | Uses of Solar Power

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:45:26 +0000

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By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:34:00 +0000

Keep in mind that a radiant barrier doesn't cause moisture, moisture causes moisture. Ideally you'd want some sort of ventilation around the install so moisture can flow freely and evaporate; the basic overall idea is to install the foil in such as if it's not even there (in terms of airflow). Click here for more information on installing radiant barrier foil with proper gaps for airflow. In your case you want the foil closest to the outermost layer (the metal roof), so you should install it last, right below the battens. Have you seen this video on installing AtticFoil radiant barrier under a metal roof? The limited warranty on the foil is 25 years, but in reality you could expect the product to last much longer than that.