Does Reflective Bubble Insulation Work

A radiant barrier reduces heat transfer by radiation and has two excellent applications in homes.

Does reflective bubble insulation work.

Ecofoil reflective insulation will stop 96 of radiant heat which is often overlooked and misunderstood largely due to the fact that r values do not take it into account. This type of insulation is designed to reduce radiant heat gain. Most common thermal insulation materials like fiberglass work by slowing conductive heat flow but reflective insulation works a little differently. Some products say r4 r6 or r8.

Insulation companies who make metallic bubble wrap or their distributors like to boast about their products attributes and often add the equivalent reflective r values to the conductive values giving an overall equivalent r value. Insulation reduces heat transfer by conduction through solid materials. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. Most common insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow and to a lesser extent convective heat flow.

To be effective the reflective surface must face an air space. Foil faced bubble wrap is a radiant barrier. When the sun heats a roof it s primarily the sun s radiant energy that makes the roof hot.