Do you want to make your house more energy-efficient by installing proper insulation? Have you ever heard of an interior walls radiant barrier? Is it better than other types of insulation? Will it save your utility costs?
Many questions come up as we talk about the basement insulation. The radiant barrier is one of the relatively new insulation methods. This is the type of material that is able to reflect heat radiation and reduce the thermal transfer due to a special reflective surface. On this page, we are going to answer the most common questions regarding basement radiant barriers.
Radiant Barrier: Basement Ceiling Protection
A radiant barrier is also known as foil insulation. It is made from a very reflective material combined with some kind of substrate material. Homeowners install the radiant barriers to cool the basement down during the summer months naturally, this way, saving the electricity cooling costs. The radiant barrier does its job well; yet, it works differently than most thermal insulation tools.
A radiant barrier is typically installed on the basement ceiling, unlike traditional insulation methods that are normally applied to the floor. This way the radiant barrier reflects the radiant heat and does not allow it to affect the house.
Sometimes you can see the radiant barriers that are designed for mounting to the basement floor. Yet, it is not recommended. The radiant barriers on the floor can trap the moisture within their fibers, creating a perfect environment for mold. Also, you need to prevent the fold from getting dusty. Dust always affects the effectiveness of the reflective surface.
If you want to make sure that you protect your basement space from the excess heat in summer, you can install a radiant barrier to the walls. The radiant barrier on the basement walls will help keep your basement dry and protected from the concrete’s excess moisture. Sometimes, the radiant barrier can be installed behind drywall or basement wall panel.
If your home is insulated properly, the radiant barrier can keep 97% of your heat from leaving your house. This type of insulation can keep your basement dry, warm, and nice-looking.
Radiant Barrier Vs. Insulation: What’s Best For Montreal Houses?
Securely insulating your house is an important thing to do no matter where you live. However, you should always consider your climate conditions when choosing the insulation method.
Radiant barrier proves to be an effective way to cut your utility costs, as it perfectly isolates your basement and house from the excess summer heat, and also keeps your house warm in winter. In fact, it has proven to save up to 10% of energy costs in climates, where the air conditioning systems have to run most of the time.
However, keep in mind that the radiant barrier was not designed to preserve the heat in your basement in the cold months. It works differently – it reflects the heat, pushing it away from the house.
In case you live in a cold climate, it is better to insulate your house with more traditional methods that would allow you to keep the heat inside, saving money for your heating expenses. This is the reason why foil insulation is not the best cost-effective thermal insulation method in Montreal, Canada.
Montreal Radiant Barrier Contractors
If you are seeking professional help or advice about your basement insulation, we will be glad to assist you in No Water System Experts. With more than 30 years of experience and 1500+ happy customers, we will provide a personalized solution for your basement insulation.