Do it Yourself Radiant Barrier Attic Insulation

Posted by admin on August 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

attic exhaust fans

By Lincoln Miller
If you’re looking for a way to save some money without having to spend a lot to do it then you might want to consider installing reflective foil over your attic insulation.
Also known as a radiant barrier, foil barriers are a type of reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it. However, unlike thermal insulation, they do not reduce heat conduction. Instead it works with the insulation to help maximize the efficiency of your home, to keep the heat out during the summer or to keep it in during the winter.
While there are a variety of different ways to install the reflective foil in your home, many of the options require you to hire a professional. For people who don’t have that much money in their budget it is still possible to reap the benefits without having to hire an installer. It is called an attic floor installation. This form of installation might take a little time to complete but you can do it all by yourself. It also works well with any attic insulation you might already have in place.
Before you get started measure your attic. This will tell you exactly how much radiant barrier you will need to use. Once you know how much you’ll need to get the job done then you can start shopping. Because this is a long term investment for your home you will want to look around and make sure you’re getting the best product possible.
There are three different factors that are taken into account when the performance of a reflective foil barrier is determined. They look at the emissivity, reflectivity and the angle that the incident radiation bounces on the surface. When shopping for a reflective foil to use in your home, look at the numbers. All radiant foils are rated using a number between 0 and 1. The higher the number, the greater the reflectivity.
When you purchase the reflective foil you will also need to make sure that you have a cutter and staple gun on hand to complete the job.
Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies and the right radiant barrier for your needs it is time to get started. First you will want to make sure your attic is completely cleared out. Anything you might have been storing in it will need to be put elsewhere. Next you will want to make note of any vents in your attic. If you have any then you will need to make the appropriate cuts in the foil to make sure they will not be covered.
After you have all the reflective foil cut and ready for installation it is time to lay it over your attic floor. The entire floor should be covered with the foil when you are done.
From here you can either staple the reflective foil down so it will stay in place or you can choose to overlap it and let it lay loose. If you choose a loose lay this will give you the opportunity to reach any wires that may be under it without any trouble in the future.
When installing the barrier over your attic insulation make sure it does not touch and that it faces in the right direction. If it is laid wrong it could have the opposite effect on your home, causing your energy bills to rise instead of go down.
Lincoln is a resource for homeowners seeking to save energy, lower their utility bills, and improve the life of their HVAC system. As an experienced residential carpenter, Lincoln gained firsthand experience with improving the quality and efficiency of homes in his Midwest community. Seeking a more effective way to heat and cool his home, he discovered radiant barrier foil insulation and now spends his time helping others do the same. Lincoln recommends using reflective foil over attic insulation to save money and reduce HVAC stress.
Do it Yourself Radiant Barrier Attic InsulationBy Lincoln Miller .http://www.ecofoil.com/

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Installing Radiant Barrier Foil Over Attic Flooring

Posted by admin on July 5, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

attic exhaust fans

By Chris Huddle

Radiant barrier foil is a newer product that is growing in popularity when it comes to increasing your home’s energy efficiency. The three main types include two-sided with micro perforations, two-sided without micro perforations, and two-sided with bubble wrap in the center. In this article, we will look at applying two-sided, micro perforated radiant barrier foil to an attic floor.

The first thing to consider in all home improvement projects is safety. Potential hazards in this project include low clearance areas where you can hit your head on a rafter or nail, areas that lack flooring where you might accidentally put a foot through the underlying ceiling material, extreme heat that could induce heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and loose wiring that could deliver a nasty shock when contacting the foil product.

You may want to wear a hard hat for protection, and you will need to take note or mark where the attic flooring is and is not. Use four-foot lengths of board to safely walk on joists that lack floor material. If you must work in heat, realize that extended time in higher temperatures can make you very ill, and take preventive measures. Put a yard sprinkler on the roof to run water and cool the attic temperature. Run fans in the attic to move the air, or remove an air conditioning duct to make it blow cool air in the workspace. Inspect all wiring, cables, and junction boxes for loose wire or loose connections, and repair or have an electrician repair the faults. Also take note of any exhaust fans and canister lights or any other heat source. These areas must have a clearance of four to six inches on all sides for proper venting. If you have any waste vent that vents to the attic space, temporarily plug these vents with rags. The methane and other exiting gases should not be breathed.

You will need a space to mark out and cut lengths of foil. If you have adequate vertical clearance, you can suspend the foil roll from a rafter with a jig and note how high above the floor the roll is. That will be your standard length in feet that you can work with. Alternately, have a large space downstairs or in a garage to lay out, measure, and cut the foil. The cut foil lengths can then be rolled like carpet or folded accordion-style to make it easier to take to the attic space. Try to work from the points farthest from your attic entrance, to help avoid tearing or moving your previously laid pieces.

Some attics will allow the installation of the foil to run perpendicular to the joists, and this is the best direction. If your roof pitch is too shallow to allow running the foil perpendicular to the joists, it will need to be cut to run parallel to them. Most radiant barrier foil rolls are four feet wide. If your joists are 24 inches on center, simply cut the foil lengthwise to allow it to be placed on the insulation easily. While a four foot wide roll cut in half will not lie flat in the 46.5 inches of space between three joists or trusses, this is acceptable. Joists which are 16 inches on center will simply need to be cut in thirds width wise. In all other areas, allow for two inches of overlap on all sides. Also keep the foil 12 inches away from end walls and soviets or rafter vents to allow for proper ventilation.

The foil does not need to lie flat against the insulation. It works best with an airspace, so the natural peaks and valleys in the insulation are helpful. It also does not necessarily need to be taped or stapled on the seams. If it will be later walked on over a flooring surface, staple or tape it in enough places to prevent displacing the foil. For long runs and tight spaces, the challenge is how to put the foil where it belongs. Place a nail at the end of a length of thin wood trim or plastic pipe. Use the nail to move the foil into place. If you are running the foil from the center of an attic area in both directions, put a nail in each end of the wood or plastic pipe to prevent having to turn the tool around for the opposite side.

Chris Huddle has been authoring websites for over ten years, and his specialty is SEO. His latest site features men’s cashmere sweater deals at MensCashmereSweaterDeals.com

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The Basics of Blown Attic Insulation

Posted by admin on October 16, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

attic exhaust fans

Martin Applebaum :

Is it time to insulate the attic? What is the best type to choose? Let us focus on two specific types. One is blown attic insulation the other is batt. Each type has pros and cons. However, which is the best choice for you. That is for you to decide, however we will provide information for you to make that decision.

If you are looking strictly at economics, then blown attic insulation is the best option you have. Another positive aspect of this type is that it is quite easy to install. There are typically two types of material used for this type. They are fiberglass and cellulose. Fiberglass is currently a more popular choice. The installation usually takes about one to two hours.

The typical install of blown attic insulation begins with an installer beginning in the far corner of your attic with a hose from a blowing machine. This machine is usually mounted on a truck. The installer will cover your attic with a full uniform layer of insulation.

If you choose to install batt insulation over blown attic insulation, keep in mind that it will cost more. It does have its advantages as well. The most popular type of batt insulation is fiberglass. A less well-known type is cotton fiber. Obviously, the cotton type is a healthier option than fiberglass.

Fiberglass batt insulation is installed right on the attic floor or between the ceiling joints of the attic. One of the more popular benefits of this type is that it is easy to remove if you ever need to do any work in the attic.

The R-factor of batt is a little better than blown attic insulation. The blown in thickness will cause variations in the R-factor for this type of insulation.

One of the best advantages of blown attic insulation over batt is that the blown style covers everything; while there can be open areas in the batt type.http://www.homeinsulationsite.com/Blown_Attic_Insulation.html

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