Advantages and Disadvantages of Reflective Insulation - Dengarden

What Is Reflective Insulation?

One of the types of insulation used in building construction and retrofitting is reflective insulation. Other types of insulation, like fiberglass wool, rock mineral wool, and polystyrene, are also available. Some polystyrene insulation is backed with reflective foil to combine the advantages of both. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but we’re going to focus on reflective insulation.

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Reflective insulation (also known as foil insulation) is usually made from aluminum foil or aluminized polyester. It is commonly used in two main areas:

• Unventilated cavity walls
• Pitched or angled roofs

This type of insulation reflects radiant heat and works best with a still air layer of at least 25mm/1 inch. It is most effective when kept clean and dust free. The layer of still air itself gives it a degree of extra insulation—provided it is still. Otherwise, it will be taking heat away through convection.

How Houses Lose Heat

To understand how insulation works, some knowledge of how heat is transferred is required. Heat is transferred in three ways: radiation, convection, and conduction.

• Radiation is where the heat is transmitted directly from a hot surface in a straight line to a cooler surface. Sunlight is a good example of radiant heat.
• Convection is where the heat is transferred via liquid or gas movement, such as hot central heating radiators. It is also the reason things like water are hotter at the top than at the bottom.
• Conduction is where heat is transmitted along a material or two materials touching each other. A good example of this is metal pans. Different materials transmit heat better than others. (Metal is a better conductor than wood, for example.)

5 Advantages of Reflective Insulation

1. It is very effective in warm climates, where it is useful in keeping buildings cool.
2. Unlike other insulation, it does not degrade over time due to compacting, disintegration, or absorbing moisture.
3. It is thin, fairly lightweight, and much less bulky than other forms, making it easy to work with and fit.
4. It can also be used as a vapor barrier as it is relatively waterproof and unaffected by moisture.
5. Unlike other forms of insulation, it is also non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, making it safer and easy to install with the use of less safety equipment.

4 Disadvantages of Reflective Insulation

1. It is generally more expensive due to being a metal-based product.
2. Though effective in warmer climates, it will require being combined with other forms of insulation in colder climates. This is in order to prevent heat loss in cold weather from convection.
3. There is the potential of reflective insulation becoming an electrical hazard should a wiring fault occur. After all, it is a metal and conducts electricity.
4. It also relies on being clean and free of dust and debris, both when fitted and when in use. This means in some areas, such as roofs, it may require being cleaned of dust from time to time to ensure maximum efficiency.

Questions & Answers

Question: Would you recommend reflective insulation?

Answer: Yes, I would.

Question: When using reflective foil, which side should face the inside and outside?

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We take for granted the usefulness of reflective foil insulation. While it's most commonly used in home spaces like floors, attics, and walls, we benefit from its properties in countless other ways in our everyday lives.

Our reflective insulation products are made of metalized aluminum foil on both sides, making it ideal to prevent radiant heat from coming into your home while keeping the air inside nice and cool. The science behind the aluminum foil's properties is what led to it being incorporated into our reflective insulation products, as well as being useful in so many different ways.

Food & Cooking

Many of these uses are related to food because aluminum foil is very useful at regulating temperature. Aluminum reflects heat back to its source which makes it perfect for keeping items like hot casseroles warm when they are on the table waiting for the hungry mouths to devour it.          

Continuing with the subject of food, next time you are at the grocery store you might notice a silver foil bag hanging near the frozen food section. These bags work by keeping radiant heat out of the bag, just as a radiant barrier keeps heat out of your attic. These bags are very handy if you have a long drive home and want to keep your frozen pizzas from turning in a mushy mess. The foil bag keeps heat away from your frozen goods by reflecting it back to its source.  

Emergency Use    

The reflective properties of foil are also utilized in first aid with emergency “space blankets”. These foil blankets are used to prevent hypothermia and are frequently carried by outdoorsman. They work by reflecting the body’s heat and preventing it from escaping. This is similar to when you install radiant barrier on the floor of an attic to redirect heat back into your home during the colder months.    

Hair Care & Treatment

We see this all the time in hair salons: professional hair stylists using pieces of aluminum foil to separate and color clients' hair. Aside from this, the aluminum foil's reflective properties help with hair coloration. When stylists use blow dryers on this aluminum foil, the warm air helps with creating more vibrant and better colors for their tresses.

Protecting Equipment from the Sun

Aluminum foil can also be used to protect sensitive items sitting outside from the sun. Think of bands performing onstage at outdoor venues: before the concert starts, during breaks, or after the performance is over, covering instruments can help protect them from the sun's harmful rays. This prevents any 

Whether you are out grocery shopping, camping, or rocking a crowd of thousands of people you can benefit from reflective foil just the same way as you keep your attic cool.  

For more information, please visit Aluminum reflective foil.