There are early adopter counties in California that are requiring radiant barriers in their building codes. In addition there are cities in Texas such as Houston that are promoting the use of a radiant barrier in their building techniques. Here are some questions and answers about a radiant barrier and how they can be employed.

Q: What is a radiant barrier?
A: A radiant barrier impedes the transfer of heat through a specific area. There are many types of radiant barriers and the one you are probably most familiar with is insulation. Insulation impedes the transfer of heat through a surface. Insulation is rated with an R value which gives you an indication on how much heat transfer is impeded. Insulation is tested in inches of material to determine the R value. Another type of radiant barrier is my fluoropolymer coating with added hollow ceramic micro-spheres. In accordance with FTC (Federal Trade Commission) rules we cannot give an R value with our coating due to the extremely small thickness. Remember insulation is tested in inches. In most instances 1/1000" or 1/500" will achieve significant heat transfer reduction through a roof, wall, or other structure. With insulation studs and windows provide a parallel path for heat to transfer. Using a coating eliminates this parallel path. See our Energy Savings page for more information. Our fluoropolymers are fire resistant.

Q: Where can I use a radiant barrier?
A: You can use a radiant barrier on top of your existing roof, under the underlayment, inside attic on roofing material, on interior walls replacing paint. We have 0 (zero) VOC product, Fluoroblend, which complies with LEED requirements.

Q: Why would I coat my walls instead of painting?
A: Paint, over time, fades with contact to sunlight. Coating your interior walls with our fluoropolymer coating will not fade, chalk, or yellow. You can wash the coating with any commercial cleaner and will not affect the color. In addition our fluoropolymer coating will clean the air in the room. We add an antimicrobial additive to our coating which will kill all virus' and bacteria present in the room making for a more enjoyable environment. In rooms like the bathroom which sometimes might have unpleasant smells, the antimicrobial will remove the bacteria that causes the smell. In remote situations like truck stops or highway road stops, using the Fluoroblend as an interior coating will reduce maintenance costs dramatically. In addition our coating will not burn.

Q. Is Silver Paint A Radiant Barrier?
A. No. ASTM defines these products as Interior Radiant Control Coatings (IRCCs), which carry an emittance value of .25 or less. They do not qualify as radiant barriers because they do not meet the necessary emittance values required by the State of California. The emittance value of Superior Shield products SuperShield and Fluoroblend is .92.

Q. Why Is Radiant Barrier A Cost- Efficient Way To Meet Code?
A. Next Energy modeling software programs indicate that a radiant barrier can improve Title 24 compliance margins significantly—from 5% to 16%—for both single-family and multifamily homes. In addition, third-party data* shows that radiant barrier sheathing is one of the top three energy-efficient technologies in new home construction applications on the market when it comes to performance, cost and return on investment.
* Source: Independent Study by ConSol, 2010.

Q. Here’s Why A Radiant Barrier Is So Effective?
A. •Blocks up to 97% of radiant heat in the panel from being transferred into the attic
•Lowers attic temperatures by as much as 30° F
•Lowers monthly air conditioning bills by as much as 17%
•Cold sprayed radiant barriers require very little additional labor to install

Q. Are Radiant Barriers Recognized By Building Codes?
A. Yes. Radiant barriers are recognized by the State of California as an energy-efficient technology and are included in Title 24. Radiant barriers are required if one builds using the prescriptive packages for Climate Zones 2, 4 and 8–15. They are one of the most cost-effective ways to build if one is using the performance method to comply with Title 24. Radiant barriers are recognized in State of California approved compliance software programs, which compare a proposed home’s estimated energy efficiency to a baseline home design.

Q. Are there other areas promoting the use of radiant barriers in their building codes?
A. YES. Houston Texas is also an early adopter of these building techniques. Although not required as part of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Home qualification guidelines, radiant barriers at the roof can significantly improve the HERS Index and help a home qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. When considering the hot, sunny Houston weather, radiant barriers have steadily gained in popularity among the local homebuilders. This article examines radiant barriers and why you should consider installing them.

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