Attic Radiant Barrier
One of the most important aspects to think about when building a home is insulation. It provides a more comfortable setting and will prevent too much heat from leaving the house when it is cold outside and too much heat from entering the house when it is hot outside. The attic is the place where most of the heat can enter or leave the house. This is one area of the house which does not have insulation built in, as it does in the walls for example. An attic radiant barrier can prevent your house becoming too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Not only can this make your home more comfortable but it can dramatically reduce the amount you need to spend on cooling and heating your home.
Having an attic radiant barrier can increase the amount of heat in the attic during cold weather and it can have the opposite effect in the summer. In some homes there has been a reduction in energy costs due to an attic radiant barrier of up to 40 per cent but the average reductions would be more likely to be around 25 to 30 per cent. This is because theoretically, you will not need to spend as much on heating your home as you will find that the heat is staying in the house and is not escaping through the attic. In the summer, when it is hot outside, the attic radiant barrier will prevent excess heat from entering the home through the attic and you will therefore not have to spend as much on trying to cool your home down.
There are different types of attic radiant barrier available. You should know the various types and the difference between them before deciding which one to install in your attic. Attic radiant barrier may be called anything from reflective foil insulation, attic heat barrier, aluminium foil insulation, reflective foil or radiant barriers. There are three main types available, two sided perforated, two sided non perforated and one sided with bubble wrap. It is always better to purchase a perforated attic radiant barrier so that you can let any excess moisture pass through. A build up of moisture under the radiant barrier could cause damp patches and mould.
By installing an attic radiant barrier, you will be reducing your costs and making sure your home is that bit more comfortable.
