Insulation Products ???

[globe trekker]

Does anyone on here know of some products that the average homeowner could install

in their attics to reflect the sun's heat, ...some type of radiant barrier or something else?

In a lot of today's newer homes, the house builders around these parts are installing the

roof decking with the radiant barriers already manufactured on to it.

http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pid=1398

and

http://www.radiantbarrier.com/index.htm?src=adwords&?adg=radiantbarrier&gclid=COPb7bitnaMCFRecnAodm2q8tg

Some say that installing the radiant barriers on the underside of the roof

decking significantly raises the heat of the decking and therefore, damages

the asphalt shingles [ i.e. - lowers their lifespan & the warranty ], and

raises the temperature inside the attic spaces.

See the link:

http://www.savenrg.com/1placemnt.htm

What are the homeowners doing in the hot / very hot climates for home

"retrofits", ...what are the inspectors seeing in the field, or other?

Thanks ya'll!

.

 

[Uncle Bob]

We had Fruitless Mulberry trees in our yard; and they provided shade for the home;

The fruitless mulberry tolerates alkaline soil, air pollution, heat, and brief drought, and it can be grown in most areas of North America; even trees planted at Southern California beaches have thrived. It can also grow surprisingly fast. In warm climates, a fruitless mulberry can grow 20 feet high and 20 feet wide within three years. The crown is dense and lush. Because of these traits, the fruitless mulberry is often planted as a shade tree.

Plant at least twenty feet away from your home.

Fast growing and plenty of shade,

Uncle Bob

 

[mtlogcabin]

According to the present administrations energy guru is just paint it white

 

[FredK]

FWIW---All I can say is that a 4-5 years ago I was doing framing inspections on two similiar house one with the osb/radiant barrier and the with just osb for roof decking. Both faced the same direction but a couple of streets apart. The temps were in the 105-110's that day and with just standing on the second floor one could feel a difference in cooler temps (say 10 degrees) in the radiant barrier home. I would expect lower cooling bills also. Both home have tile roofs so I would expect the roof life to be the same.

Haven't really seen it used since.

 

[Mule]

Some good information is at the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association web site.

Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association/

A technical release on the temperature difference is located at

Tech Sheet on Asphalt Shingles

 

[RJJ]

Good stuff Mule!

How about planting grass on it! Get some goats and let them keep it trimmed. Green building!