Radiant Barrier Install Guide for Open-Ridge & Flat-Top Methods
Supplies Needed to install Radiant Barrier Attic Foil
When installing Radiant Barrier with the Open-Ridge or Flat-Top Method, you MAIN OBJECTIVE is to get foil BETWEEN the Roof Deck and the INSULATION. Pretty simple right? You are NOT trying to make the foil air tight. All you are trying to do is BOUNCE the radiant heat that is coming off your roof BACK to the roof and outside. Here are some quick Do's and Don'ts.
Here are some quick Do's and Dont's:
- Don't- -OVERTHINK this. It's really pretty simple
- Don't - Worry about the impossible and hard to reach areas. Foil is like shade. It has a cumulative effect. The more the better.
- Do - Work on the big wide open areas FIRST, then worry about the harder areas.
- Do - Get a helper. The install will go MUCH faster with FEWER Headaches.
- Don't - Worry too much about "The Hot Air". It's NOT toxic waste. Just remember this: HOLES in the BOTTOM and HOLES in the TOP of the attic. Is there a path (no matter how) for air to flow from the bottom holes to the top holes? If yes, then your good. If not, create a pathway.
- Don't - Worry if it's not pretty. Ugly, crooked, wrinkled foil works just the same as perfectly smooth pretty foil. Remember, Its your attic, not your living room.
- Don't - Tape the seams. It's is a waste of time and all it does is make it look pretty.
- Don't - Worry, YES you can do this. It's actually pretty hard to screw it up.
- Do - Think Safety FIRST!!
Supplies Needed:
- Staple Guns - One for each person. Front squeeze "PowerShot" are good. Or, electric or air driven are fine. Don't use a "hammer staple". You won't be able to see the rafters to staple into. Attach a colored string or ribbon to the staple gun in case it falls into the insulation
- Staples - 1/4" or 5/16" These sizes work perfect. Figure about 1 staple for every 2-3 square feet of foil. 1000 staples should take care of 2000-3000 square ft. of foil.then worry about the harder areas.
- Lights - Get a couple of "clamp on" lights. They are about $6.00 each and they clamp on and can move around easy. Use CFL bulbs to keep from burning yourself.
- Measuring Tape - To measure foil, pretty obvious.
- Utility Knife - Standard "Box Cutter" type utility knife with some extra blades. Don't use scissors the foil will dull them very quickly. Some installers like using a "Hook" carpet blade.
- Standing Platform - A few 2x6's boards about 8 feet long work great or plywood cut into 1 ft by 8 ft sections. They are strong and easy to move around and you want to minimize compressing any insulation in your attic. If you will be using a ladder in the attic get a sheet of plywood at least 4'x4' to put across floor ceiling joists to create a solid base to place ladder.
- Foil Tape - Not needed to tape the seams, but will come in handy if you need to "patch" the foil around something. Do NOT use DUCT TAPE. Use Foil Air Conditioning Tape available in your air conditioning supply department at your home improvement store.
- Good quality Dust Mask that fits tightly, OR spend the 20 dollars and buy a half-face respirator with P100 Particulate Filter.
