Question: Can I Install Radiant Barrier Under the Shingles When I Have a New Roof Installed?

This is an extremely common question. People often think, "If they are taking off my shingles, why don't we just lay radiant barrier foil out and then put the new shingles back on top? This would be a whole lot easier than stapling the foil inside the attic."

STOP.

It won't work; in fact, it will actually work against you!  Do not do this, and please run away from any roofer who tells you otherwise!  

Why Can't This Be Done?

It gets a little tricky, but we will attempt to explain it in simple terms. Radiant heat by definition is heat transfer from one object (the hot object) to another object (the cooler object) by NON-CONTACT. We really wish you could put foil between shingles and roofing felt or roof deck because we would sell a ton more foil. However, physics is physics – and it just won't work.

Air Spaces and Gaps

If you take radiant barrier foil and sandwich it between the shingles and roof felt, you have now created one solid assembly. Aluminum is a unique element, it is both reflective and very conductive. This is one example why we cook with aluminum cookware;  it conducts heat very well, which is good for cooking, but not so good for living spaces.

Here is an illustration most people can relate to: Have you ever picked up a hot potato that was wrapped with foil? It feels super hot, right? Why is that? Well, when your skin touches the foil it creates direct path (there is no longer an air gap, just the foil touching your skin) so the heat flows directly into your hand, making your hand very hot.  The idea is that heat doesn't care what objects it's traveling through to carry heat flow, as long as objects are touching and there is no air space, the heat might as well be traveling through one, large object.  When an air gap is present, the heat is then forced to convert to its radiant form so it can jump the gap and continue traveling via conduction.  

"But My Roofer Said It Will Work."

This is a clear sign the roofer does not understand the concept of radiant heat.  Does the roofer have a good lawyer? We know of several cases where the roofer installed a radiant barrier in this manner, essentially not installing a radiant barrier since radiant heat is not present if there is no air gap.

We often see products (sometimes even AtticFoil®) incorrectly installed in this way to try to create a radiant barrier. The roofers had no defense since the laws of physics, combined with the definition of radiant heat/radiant barriers apply to roofs too. In most of these cases the roofer/roofing company ended up settling the case since the lawyers said they had no defense since a radiant barrier isn't a radiant barrier without radiant heat, and you can't have radiant heat unless there is an airspace for radiant energy to travel across.

What If You Have a Raised Roof, like Tile, Metal or Raised Metal Shingles?

Yes, now we are talking! Here is complete information on Installing Radiant Barrier Under A Tile or Metal Roof.  If you are going to install a roof like this, what a great time to go for it; you will have the necessary air gap to make it work and the results are awesome. You can install the radiant barrier foil below the raised shingles either on top or below the battens. The easiest and best way is to run the foil out over the roofing felt, tack it down and then install the battens followed by shingles or metal roofing.

This is an example of a tile roof over a batten system. The battens create the necessary air space to make the system work. This is the same for concrete or slate shingles. The heat radiates toward the roof deck and 97% of the radiant energy is bounced back. This is a GREAT SYSTEM. This is also the best system to use on non-vented and sealed foam closed attics.	This was a re-roofing job using stone-coated metal shingles. After tearing off the old shingles, the roofing contractor installed roofing felt covered by perforated radiant barrier foil. Then wood battens were installed over the foil so they could attach the metal shingles.
Installing the radiant barrier foil under a metal roof is quick and easy. Installers just roll it out and cut it with a knife. Use a few staples to hold in place, then install battens. Be careful to work so the sun won't reflect in your face, it can be blinding and even possibly give you a sunburn; sunglasses are highly recommended for these installations.	This roof is complete and ready to attach the shingles. Our radiant barrier is so durable, you can take it up on the roof and be rough with it.  Don't worry about tearing it, it won't tear and the foil can be exposed to sun or rain for a limited time without problems.
This is a close up of the space (air gap) provided by using the metal shingle. The red shaded are is the void below the shingle where the heat will travel in radiant form to the foil, then it will be reflected back out the roof.  Most tile and metal roofs provide the required air gap for this to work.	Adding a radiant barrier to your re-roof project is a smart idea because it involves minimal labor and cost and it is a great way to get full coverage without maneuvering around tight attic spaces. The increased energy savings can usually pay for itself within the first year.
Here the battens create the necessary air space to make the system work. This is the same for concrete or slate shingles. Installing the foil first allows the foil to reflect the radiant heat back toward the shingles and away from the attic.  It also makes walking on the roof easier.	A finished standing metal seam roof with radiant barrier installed below the roof. Considering the expense of metal roofs, it's a small additional cost to install radiant barrier during the roofing installation for the large benefits it will bring.