Radiant barriers can save homeowners as much as 17% on utility bills when properly installed, but many DIY home improvement enthusiasts make critical mistakes when doing the work themselves. The world’s biggest manufacturer of the materials used by professionals provides a list of five things homeowners must know to do it right themselves or hire qualified professional help.
Arlington, Tex., Sept. 28, 2010 – Radiant barrier insulation can save big money for homeowners, but Innovative Insulation, the world’s biggest manufacturer of such products cautions DIY enthusiasts to shop carefully. Innovative offers a 5-point checklist to help consumers select top-performing products made to revised ASTM International standards.
First, Innovative says people considering this type of DIY home improvement project must know how different types of insulation work. Products such as batts, foam and blown-in fiberglass absorb heat, while radiant barrier materials reflect it. Heat-absorbing products typically are thick, while reflective products are paper-thin.
As homeowners have begun to save as much as 17% on utility bills by installing radiant barriers in attics, a number of home improvement companies have sprung up to serve the market. Unfortunately, not all are qualified, and some use non-code materials, according to Innovative Insulation’s technical director, Luke Rogers.
“Product safety testing standards used by ASTM International, a global standards development organization, should guide consumer buying decisions,” Rogers said. “ASTM’s new testing protocols for radiant barrier materials have revealed serious safety issues with metal foil products, and simultaneously established that products made of metalized film can meet the new standards.”
Rogers says consumers should educate themselves in five critical product areas, whether they plan to proceed with a DIY home improvement project or hire a contractor to install this type of insulation.
1.Know the Fire Rating – Look for products certified to ATSM Standards E84 and E2599. No radiant barrier product with aluminum foil on both sides passed these ASTM fire spreading tests, while metalized plastic film products did.
2.Not All Perforations Are Created Equal – Radiant barriers must be able to “breathe” to let moisture pass through. Not all products do this well. Look for products certified to ASTM C1313, which requires a minimum rating of 5 perms for any material intended to transmit moisture.
3.Always ask for a Fact Sheet – Some companies sell products not made to ASTM standards, and which are not safety tested. The U. S. Federal Trade Commission requires anyone selling insulation products to the public to provide fact sheets that spell out insulation values.
4.Reflective Insulation Is Not for Attics – Reflective insulation has a thin layer – about a quarter of an inch – of foam, bubble-pack or fiberglass sandwiched between two layers of reflective material. It is for applications such as walls, floors and basements where some R-value is needed, but space is limited. It is more expensive than radiant barrier film and adds less R-value than additional blown-in or foam insulation would provide.
5.Paint Does Not Meet the Definition – Radiant barrier materials, as defined by ASTM, must be at least 90% reflective. The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association says the reflectivity of so-called “radiant barrier paints” ranges from 10% to 75%. Look for ENERGY STAR(R) insulation labels on radiant products – you won’t find them on paint.
About Innovative Insulation, Inc.
Innovative Insulation, Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of radiant barrier products, has been serving homeowners and contractors since 1987. Innovative Insulation leads the industry in quality radiant barrier and reflective insulation, including the popular Super R™ line of products. Innovative Insulation is known internationally for the highest quality products and personalized customer service. For more information, please visit www.radiantbarrier.com.
Contact:
Luke Rogers
Innovative Insulation, Inc.
1-800-825-0123
Luke@radiantbarrier.com
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