Reflective Radiant Barrier
The radiant floor heating barrier that has been developed in the last few years consisting of a double- bubble with a layer of aluminum foil on either side is the best that we have found to use with radiant floor heating systems - when installing tubing under a sub-floor in the joist cavity. This product reflects 94% of all radiant heat, is non-irritating, is very easy to install, saves labor, and costs less than other suitable products.
Benefits of Reflective Radiant Heat Barrier:
- Saves time and money
- Non-toxic, no fiberglass = no itching
- Excellent vapor barrier
- Installs easily with stapler
- Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating
- Superior thermal performance
- Reduces condensation
- Improves radiant floor heating insulation systems performance
- Insect Resistant
- Works well with fiberglass
There are several companies offering foil barriers now. While their products probably offer performance similar to the one we offer, several we evaluated do not have the foil protected by an additional layer of plastic and the foil disintegrates in a short time. SUPER-R™ is specifically designed to be installed under crawl spaces to cut the heat loss from radiant floor heating systems. It is very easy to install and it reflects 75% more heat than fiberglass alone.
Manufactuers of reflective insulation claim high R-values when using their products as a stand alone insulator. Their test results show that, like a double-pane window, air inside a joist cavity that is sealed with the foil double-bubble foil insulation at the bottom actually acts as an insulator and can yield R-15+ values in a 12 inch crawl space. We have had a number of customers take this approach with very satifactory results. However, there are is still signficant controversy around this concept and to our knowledge these products are not independently certified to have these R-values in this type of application.
Even in the best case, R-15 is well below the R-value code requirements for an unheated crawl space and we recommend using the foil-bubble-bubble-foil products in conjunction with standard insulation products. It is their reflective properties that provide the most value. The combination is sure to give you the best results.
To receive the best efficiency and comfort from your radiant floor heating system some rules need to be followed:
- All exterior rim joists must be insulated.
- The crawl space does need a vapor barrier installed on the ground.
- The crawl space must be insulated.
- Radiant floor heating will not work properly until the joist space is closed
- Be sure to insulate tubing in areas you do not want heat.
