A Comprehensive Guide to Reflective Insulation - FI-FOIL

The Single Bubble is the most basic yet effective form of reflective insulation. It consists of a single layer of air bubbles sandwiched between two highly reflective metalized film surfaces.

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A version with one side consisting of a premium white polymer film offers an insulation solution that also doubles as an attractive ceiling for metal structures or post-frame buildings. Its lightweight nature makes it easy to handle and install, while its reflective surfaces offer up to 94% radiant heat reflection.

The Double Bubble option is the go-to for those seeking enhanced thermal performance. It features two layers of air bubbles between the reflective surfaces, providing additional strength and insulation value.

This type is particularly well-suited for commercial and industrial applications where higher R-values are required. The added layer also provides increased durability, making it a long-lasting solution for demanding environments.

Both types of reflective bubble insulation offer a vapor retarder solution for those seeking to reduce condensation in their buildings.

This type of reflective insulation is a composition that incorporates a layer of foam between reflective surfaces to add insulation value. It is designed to offer the benefits of both traditional foam insulation and the reflective properties of materials like aluminum foil and reflective films.

It’s typically used in scenarios where both insulation against temperature extremes and the reflection of radiant heat are desired to keep it from escaping buildings in the winter and minimize solar heat gain in the summer.

Single- and multi-layer options minimize heat transfer in masonry and other commercial building applications. They operate by reflecting radiant heat, the primary mechanism of heat movement within reflective air spaces.

Single-layer Design: This option is constructed from a single layer of reflective material, typically aluminum foil. It offers effective performance but may provide less insulation than the multi-layer options. Consider this option for its straightforward functionality.

Multi-layer Design: This system comprises multiple layers of reflective material interspersed with insulating layers. This configuration delivers exceptional insulation performance, making this insulation choice an approach that positions your building for maximum energy efficiency and comfort.

Radiant heat reflection is the cornerstone of reflective insulation technology. Unlike traditional insulation materials that primarily focus on slowing down conductive and convective heat transfer, reflective insulation also addresses radiant heat. It does so by reflecting a significant portion of radiant heat—up to 94%-97%, depending on the material and design—back to its source, thereby minimizing heat gain or loss.

The thermal performance of reflective insulation is quantified by two key correlating metrics: emissivity and reflectivity. Emissivity measures how efficiently a material emits heat, while reflectivity gauges its ability to throw back heat rather than absorb it. Foil and reflective films have a low emittance (low-e) (typically 0.03-0.06) meaning very little radiation passes through the surface material. The lower the emissivity value of a reflective surface, the higher its reflectivity (typically 0.94-0.97) which translates to blocking 94%-97% of heat transfer to keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The low-e surfaces of reflective insulations and barriers indicate superior thermal performance.

Modern reflective insulations are often multi-layered to enhance both durability and performance. The surface(s) or one or more inner layers consist of a reflective material, usually aluminum foil or metalized film, designed with other layers such as polyethylene bubbles, foam, skrim, or other insulating materials.

This multi-layered composition improves thermal performance and adds structural integrity to the product, making it more resilient to wear and tear.

Ensuring overlaps and airtight seals is crucial for both moisture control and maintaining a continuous reflective surface. Specialized tapes or sealants are often used to secure seams, and it’s advisable to overlap seams by at least 2 inches for best results. Attention to detail here can make or break the insulation’s long-term effectiveness.

A minimum air space of 3/4″ adjacent to the reflective surface is recommended for optimal performance. The direction of heat flow, orientation of installation, and types of insulations used in combination should be considered to meet performance and compliance in each climate zone and municipality. When used facing enclosed air cavities with 3/4″ to 6″ or more of an air gap, the reflective material enhances the air space to provide R-value and insulating benefits beyond simply a radiant barrier. In confined spaces, it’s crucial to maintain this minimum air gap to ensure the reflective insulation performs as intended.

Reflective insulation has varying degrees of thicker composition due to its multi-layered structure. This often includes one or two layers of foil that expand inside the cavity, interior layers of single or double polyethylene bubbles, or polyethylene foam core. On the other hand, radiant barriers are generally thinner and consist mainly of flexible sheet reflective aluminum foil or films. Both types are designed to significantly reduce heat transfer.

The primary function of radiant barriers is to reflect radiant heat, thereby reducing heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. Reflective insulation, however, serves a dual purpose: it reflects radiant heat and reduces convective and conductive heat transfer. This makes reflective insulation a more versatile option for a broader range of applications.

Radiant barriers are often installed in attics, stapled to rafters, or laid with furring under metal roofs. They are generally easier and quicker to install but are limited in their range of applications.

Reflective insulation requires more careful installation, including considerations for orientation, air gaps, and amount of enclosed air space. Its versatility allows for use in many areas across the building envelope, including walls, HVAC ducts, ceilings, and floors—commonly used across all markets in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.

One of the most compelling benefits of reflective insulation is its contribution to energy efficiency. By stopping an average 94-97% of radiant heat transfer, it significantly reduces the load on HVAC systems, and may prolong the life of HVAC systems. Less load leads to lower energy consumption and, consequently, reduced energy bills, which can translate to thousands of dollars in annual savings for commercial building owners or tenents.

Reflective insulation is not just good for your wallet; it’s good for the planet. Reducing energy consumption directly contributes to lowering carbon emissions, making it an eco-friendly choice for those looking to build or renovate sustainably. Many reflective insulation products are also made from recycled materials, adding another layer to the environmental benefits.

While the initial investment in quality reflective insulation may be higher than other traditional insulation materials, the long-term benefits are substantial. Reduced energy bills and lower HVAC maintenance costs mean that the material often pays for itself within a few years. Additionally, the durability ensures that replacement costs are minimal, making it a financially sound choice for long-term projects.

You may have noticed a recent shift in focus over the past few years on energy efficiency and going green. When it comes to living and working spaces, the recipe for the two can be summed in two words: adequate insulation.

Standing out among dozens of diversified insulation options, reflective insulation is one of the best choices to ensure lower bills, increase your return on investment and protect the people, animals, goods and equipment that may be inside your structure.

Reflective insulation, also known as foil insulation, is a material with reflective facing. In most cases, this is aluminum foil or aluminized polyester.

This type of insulation reflects heat by up to 95% and prevents it from transferring to the other side of its panel. In cases of extreme temperatures, this can help prevent the hot summer heat from entering your building and also help preserve the heat within your building in the winter.

Think of a coffee thermos. It keeps your morning Joe nice and warm, but it also prevents you from burning your hands. It keeps the inside temperature and outside temperature separate, so it works both ways, right?

Foil insulation can be applied in both new and retrofit constructions.

On the outside, you can wrap the insulation around the building as an envelope and seal it tightly to block air transfer and draughts.

On the inside, it works well on unventilated cavity walls and floors, and on pitched and angled roofs and ceilings.

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When it comes to applying reflective insulation, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

During installment, it’s important to leave a ¾ inch layer of air, often referred to as "dead airspace,” on at least one side of the insulation.

This allows the insulation to fulfil its characteristics because the still air provides an extra layer. If it is squeezed in between two materials, it will not be effective.

Again, think about the coffee thermos — the internal airspace is what works all the magic.

In colder climates, you need to combine this type of insulation it with other insulation options to help ensure it keeps the heat inside the building and does not prevent cold from entering. You can combine foil insulation with traditional fiberglass or foam to ensure extra protection and benefit from the combined advantages of each type.

Sometimes the two terms — reflective insulation and radiant barriers — are used interchangeably which is inaccurate, and here we will explain why.

Let’s look at the features these types have in common:

• They reflect and are used to beat heat gain and prevent heat loss with the help of an air space barrier.
• They increase energy efficiency of the building and optimize its HERS rating. HERS (Home Energy Rating System) stands for the industry standard to measure the energy efficiency of a building. It provides essential information on expected bills as well as sale and resale building price. The lower the score, the better energy efficiency.
• Installment requires leaving air-space to increase the R-value and provide the best results.
• Their metal surface must be kept clean and free of dust to optimize the results from the reflective insulation use.

Now let's consider the differences:

The radiant barrier is made of a single thin layer of aluminum or metalized film reinforced in the middle (known as woven scrim) to ensure its resistance to wear and tear.

It is typically a single sheet of foil known to reduce heat loss and heat gain, it is not an insulation material per se and technically has no inherent R-value.

R-value shows the ability to resist heat value through itself. Radiant barriers block the heat but do not absorb it transferring from itself across an air space, which is why they have no R-value.

Reflective insulation is thicker and consists of two or more layers of foil forming a blanket. The middle part is made of bubbles, fiberglass or foam and is reflected in the insulation name, such as reflective bubble insulation, reflective foam insulation and more.

The structure of the bubbles and foam does not allow the two layers of aluminium to touch. Instead, it traps the air within, thus increasing the R-value.

Unlike radiant barriers, reflective insulation stops moisture and blocks condensation, especially in metal and steel buildings.

Reflective Insulation vs. Fiberglass Insulation

The R-values of reflective insulation and fiberglass insulation are based on the same fundamental equation: The ability to stop heat transfer. In the winter, the goal is to prevent the heat from leaving the structure. In the summer, the goal is to prevent heat from entering the structures. 

Reflective Insulation is a system that reduces the transfer of heat across air space by the use of two surfaces having high thermal reflectance and low emittance (typically metal film) + an inner substance + trapped airspaces. U.S. Department of Energy: "Reflective insulation incorporates radiant barriers -- typically highly reflective foils -- into insulation systems that can include a variety of backings, such as Kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, as well as thermal insulation materials."

The R-value of reflective insulation is the measurement of the system rather than a measurement of just the product.

The R-value of fiberglass insulation is derived from the air pockets in the fibers and not the fibers themselves. Fiberglass insulation is assigned an R-value of 3 to 3.5 per inch. Compression and/or moisture will reduce its r-value; therefore, it's important to keep moisture out of fiberglass insulation and avoid smashing it.

Prodex is a modern type of reflective insulation which serves as an all-in-one solution to various problems in houses, pole barns, warehouses and metal buildings.

15 varieties including acoustic wall, under concrete, and decorative types like white and rustic dark Prodex have left our customers extremely satisfied.

In addition to lowering cooling costs, Prodex boasts the following insulation characteristics:

Stops Condensation

Prodex prevents heat gain and heat loss, which eliminates the risk of condensation that appears due to differences between outside and inside temperatures.

Prevents Heat Transfer In And Out

In the summer, Prodex insulation helps prevent hot temperatures from making their way inside the building. In the winter, it keeps heat from escaping.

Stops Air Transfer

Prodex serves as an air barrier to dangerous gases and toxic smoke, which may appear in case of fire or another incident. This protects you, your loved ones or employees and adds to safety conditions.

Deadens Sound Of Rain And Hail

Prodex insulation is able to absorb the sound of strong winds, the rattling of heavy rain and the booming and whistling of hailstorms.

Doesn’t Support Rodents, Bugs And Birds

Rodents, bugs and birds can cause damage once they make their way inside a building to nest. Prodex is resistant to all of these critters.

Installs Easily

Prodex’s flexibility, lightweight and ease of installment can save time, human resources and heavy load transportation expenses.

Functions As A Vapor Barrier

Prodex belongs to class 1 vapor barrier category. It protects the building from wetness which can come inside through the walls and roof, minimizing the risk for possible damages due to damp surroundings.

Does Not Allow Mold And Mildew

Mold and mildew can develop almost in the blink of an eye can be a serious challenge to every household, working space or storage facility. Prodex is mold and mildew resistant.

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