Is radiant barrier worth the money? (roofing, heat, paint, install)

[TheStupid]

What do you guys think?

Efficient Attic Systems - The Energy Efficient Attic®

"A single, thin coat of the spray applied to the underside of your roof deck will block up to 80% of the sun's radiant heat from entering your home through the attic."

[forcedfx]

It doesn't sound as effective as what is normally used.

Energy Savers: Radiant Barriers

[Poltracker]

The paint actually works. What works better is you put in the radiant barrier decking when you reroof. I would only use the spray in kind if I wasn't planning to reroof for a while.

[jlvs2run]

Up to 80% means the paint might block 20% and it might block 30%.
Regular paint blocks some of the radiant heat, but paint is not a true radiant barrier.

Radiant barrier foil blocks 97% of the heat.

[kevin shinault]

Radiant barrier will save 20 to 50% in some cases on your utility bills. gas oil and wood------Put down the aluminum sheeting it lasts the life of the structure.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by TheStupid

What do you guys think?

Efficient Attic Systems - The Energy Efficient Attic®

"A single, thin coat of the spray applied to the underside of your roof deck will block up to 80% of the sun's radiant heat from entering your home through the attic."

For your reading:

Myths & Misconceptions About Radiant Barriers, Reflective Insulation and Interior Radiation Control Coatings - RIMA-I

Radiant Barrier Fact Sheet (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_01.html - broken link)

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by TheStupid

What do you guys think?

Efficient Attic Systems - The Energy Efficient Attic®

"A single, thin coat of the spray applied to the underside of your roof deck will block up to 80% of the sun's radiant heat from entering your home through the attic."

Just my opinion:

I think you are better off spending half of the amount you would pay for the spray-in barrier on conventional fiberglass insulation, sealing your A/C ducts up nice'n'tight and optimizing attic ventilation. I just don't see how your energy savings could possibly be enough to offset the cost of the radiant barrier treatment. I think it makes sense to install the foil barrier when/if you re-roof, but I wouldn't give those efficient attic guys any money. Any roofing contractor can install the foil.