radiant barrier/bubble insulation.

[bilede]

Hey, I currently have an open ceiling with scissor trusses that are minimum 12 ft high and go up to about 19 ft in the center. I don't have much of a problem in the winter heating the space to be tolerable (I am in AZ dessert after all) but in the summer it gets hot and everyone says I need a radiant heat barrier on the ceiling but not to put it directly on the underside of the roof because it will cause overheating problems with my shingles. I see they have a foil radiant barrier, two layers of bubble insulation and then a poly white layer which supposedly reflects 97% of the heat and gives a small R value to boot and the white side down hung on the bottom rafter would give a nice ceiling appearance. this would create a "hot area" attic but I have dual electric venilation fans currently that should keep a good flow out the top and currently the "hot area" is were I am working. Has anyone had any experience with this stuff?

thanks, Bill.

 

[W-Cummins]

I have the double bubble double foil stuff in the roof of my building But I have a metal roof and it's touching the steel with fiberglass insulation under it. I like it for the reflection of the summer heat and it seems to work well, but sence I'm not only using it I can't really say how well.

William...

 

[bilede]

thanks William, no one else has any experience with this stuff??

 

[BearHit]

I installed the radiant barrier in my garage in Tucson a few years ago.

I didn't have a thermometer out there but the temperature difference was not drastic.

I didn't have the ceiling insulated with the pink stuff though...

We have since moved - but my next plan was to install one of those Solar-powered attic fans.

 

[bilede]

I installed this stuff over the weekend and there is two major differences realized from it. 1. I am about 20 degrees cooler inside and I am no longer thinking of doubling my lighting since the white reflective surface does a great job compared to the wood that absorbed it all.. Had to rent a scissor lift (20 ft ceilings in center) and it was a task to install but obviously was better than hanging drywall, taping, texturing, and painting. will post pictures when I get time but am impressed.

 

[red caddy]

I installed this stuff over the weekend and there is two major differences realized from it. 1. I am about 20 degrees cooler inside and I am no longer thinking of doubling my lighting since the white reflective surface does a great job compared to the wood that absorbed it all.. Had to rent a scissor lift (20 ft ceilings in center) and it was a task to install but obviously was better than hanging drywall, taping, texturing, and painting. will post pictures when I get time but am impressed.

I'm in nearly the same situation you are, (see my shop thd. "i've been shopping") and was going to tough it out this summer to see how hot it got. Well, it's not even the hot part of the summer down here (SW Florida) and the shop is too hot to work in from about 9:30 AM to 10 PM. If I open the doors for that wonderful flow thru ventalation I planned for, it get's worse.
It sounds to me like you're pretty happy with that double bubble stuff, could you give me the brand name and a source? nobody down here has heard of it.
The best CSOB solution considered to date, was to tacky glue heavy duty cooking foil, shiney side up, to 3/4 in. foam board and tack between the trusses, about 3 inches from the inside of the roof sheathing.(my trusses are 2 X 6) This would reflect the radiant energy without cooking the underside of the roof. Natural convection would move the latent heat out the ridge vent with the relatively cooler air entering at the eves/soffit vents. I got this plan from a thermodynamics prof. at USF, FWIW. I think the tie breaker will be the cost of materials, 'cause, as you guy's all know, our own labor is free... LOL. Paul.

 

[bilede]

Paul, boy is the labor free statement hit home.. There are several vendors that sell the stuff but the one I bought it from and was happy with their service and delivery was quick is a place called inovative insulation at www.radiantbarrier.com and I bought the tempshield foil, double bubble, white poly. They didn't skimp on the rolls either, I don't think any of them were only 125 feet long. maybe a fluke but I had one roll that was 145 and most 135-140. I believe the price was $125 a roll which is 500 sq according to specs.

Bill.

 

[bigvic]

You might also want to try www.insulation4less.com . That is where I ordered mine from. I haven't installed it yet but I am very pleased with the look and feel of the stuff. I ended up getting the lower grade stuff, but I believe that it will be a good compromise between cutting costs with no insulation and having insulation to keep the shop cooler.

 

[bilede]

Bigvic, I remember reading insulation4less's web site for info when I was searching for this stuff but they didn't have the double layers of bubble insulation so I went elsewhere. the single layer is a little cheaper though if $ is a huge concern but I felt it was worth the little extra. either way I think it will make an improvement.